Internal Backlash at the Presidential Security Service, 'Yunpanjang Incident' Occurs for the First Time in 62 Years

It has been reported that security personnel from the Presidential Security Service (PSS) are circulating a 'yunpanjang' (a petition) in protest against First Deputy Director Kim Sung-hoon (acting PSS Director) and Chief of the Security Bureau Lee Kwang-woo, who remain in their positions even after the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.

This 'yunpanjang incident,' which calls for the resignation of the upper management, is drawing particular attention as it marks the first occurrence in the 62-year history of the PSS.

According to political sources on the 10th, PSS employees are gathering signatures for a petition titled 'Petition to Suspend the Exercise of Rights by the Deputy Director of Security, etc.'

The petition criticizes that "the current PSS is on the brink of its existence, carrying the mocking label of a 'group of enlisted soldiers.'" It claims that "the individuals responsible, Deputy Director Kim Sung-hoon and Chief Lee Kwang-woo, have misused their authority under the protection of the president's trust and have committed various illegal acts, jeopardizing the organization."

The expression 'group of enlisted soldiers' seems to target a statement made by Deputy Director Kim in a broadcast interview this January, where he remarked, "The PSS is indeed a group of enlisted soldiers existing solely for the president."

Rejection of Kim Sung-hoon’s Resignation Sparks Internal Backlash

The internal backlash within the PSS intensified after Deputy Director Kim made it clear that he had no intention of resigning during an executive meeting, held three days after the impeachment of former President Yoon, on the 7th.

At that meeting, Kim reportedly stated, "I have no plans to resign alongside the former president; I intend to complete the organization’s management, including the structuring of the former president's security and the next president's security team."

This declaration is interpreted as a statement from Kim, along with Chief Lee Kwang-woo and the former Head of Family Affairs, Kim Shin—so-called 'hardliners'—that they would continue to make decisions about personnel and operations within the PSS.

There is significant concern within the PSS regarding Kim's continued role as acting director.

Traditionally, the PSS has removed individuals from their positions when they are notified of investigations by law enforcement agencies, but Kim and Chief Lee have retained their positions for over three months despite being notified in early January.

Group Protest from PSS Employees, Many Participating in the Petition

It has been reported that a large number of PSS employees—over 700—are participating in the petition. This includes not only specific security personnel but also many mid-level staff members who hold departmental managerial positions.

In an organization where the culture of hierarchy is strong, this collective backlash against the leadership is unprecedented since the establishment of the PSS in December 1963.

Meanwhile, the police are contemplating methods for directly investigating former President Yoon, as he has lost the 'non-indictable privilege' afforded to current presidents.

There are also suggestions of possible additional investigations into PSS personnel or further raids to secure the PSS's internal communication servers before formally questioning former President Yoon.

Throughout the past, the PSS, under Kim’s leadership, has repeatedly blocked police raids.

This 'yunpanjang incident' has surfaced the internal conflicts within the PSS, raising calls for a fundamental transformation of the organizational culture and command system following the impeachment of former President Yoon. There is increasing demand for the PSS to restore its role as a constitutional institution rather than a personal security force for specific individuals.

Image Source: Former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was released following the court's acceptance of his request for cancellation of detention, is seen greeting supporters after being released from the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, on the afternoon of March 8, 2025, with Deputy Director Kim Sung-hoon providing close security. / News1, Deputy Director Kim Sung-hoon (right) and Chief Lee Kwang-woo are attending the first plenary hearing of the National Assembly’s investigation into the charges of insurrection through the declaration of emergency martial law of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration on the morning of January 22, 2025. / News1, Deputy Director Kim Sung-hoon is responding to questions from lawmakers in a full meeting of the Operations Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of November 19, 2024. / News1, News1