Up to 10 Years of Annual Spending of 5 Billion Won to Protect Yoon Suk-yeol and His Wife

The Presidential Security Service, which has faced calls for abolition, has decided to increase the number of security personnel for former President Yoon Suk-yeol by 65.

On the 13th, a government meeting chaired by Acting President Lee Joo-ho and Minister of Education took place at the Government Seoul Office, where the government passed a draft amendment to the 'Presidential Security Service and Its Affiliated Agencies Job Act'.

According to the amendment, the Presidential Security Service will add 65 personnel, including 27 security staff for former presidents and 38 guards for the residences of former presidents.

These personnel will be deployed for the security of former President Yoon and his wife, Kim Gun-hee, who reside in Acro Vista, a mixed-use apartment complex located in Seocho-gu, Seoul. It is estimated that this will incur an additional annual cost of over 5 billion won, including labor costs.

These personnel will be deployed for the security of former President Yoon and his wife, Kim Gun-hee, who reside in Acro Vista, a mixed-use apartment complex located in Seocho-gu, Seoul. It is estimated that this will incur an additional annual cost of over 5 billion won, including labor costs.

During the meeting, the acting Prime Minister stated that the amendment is a measure to ensure that security for retired presidents is carried out without issue.

Previously, on the 25th of last month, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, through a legislative notice, cited reasons for the amendment as reflecting the demand for security and residential guard personnel following the retirement of the president, and stated that the legislative effect aims for "flawless security for former presidents."

However, from that point, criticisms began to arise regarding the indiscriminate increase of security personnel as inappropriate. After the December 3rd emergency martial law situation, it was pointed out that the security service had effectively used its personnel as private soldiers.

At that time, they set up barbed wire and barriers to prevent the execution of an arrest warrant for former President Yoon. They also took retaliatory measures, such as dismissing officials who refused such orders.

Moreover, as soon as former President Yoon was released, controversy arose when security personnel were deployed with rifles outside the detention center. This has sparked ongoing calls to either reduce or abolish the Presidential Security Service.

Currently, there is a pending legislative proposal in the National Assembly aimed at reducing the authority of the Security Service or transferring it to the police.

Meanwhile, according to the 'Act on the Honors for Former Presidents,' former presidents receive security from the Presidential Security Service for a basic period of 10 years, extendable up to 15 years.

However, since the impeached former President Yoon could not complete his term, this period has been reduced to a basic 5 years, with a maximum of 10 years.

Image Sources: On the 11th of last month, former President Yoon Suk-yeol greeted supporters as he left the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and moved to his residence in Seocho-dong. / News1 – On the 13th, Acting President Lee Joo-ho hit the gavel during the 21st Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. / News1 – On the 11th of last month, former President Yoon Suk-yeol and Kim Gun-hee were seen leaving the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, and moving to their residence in Seocho-dong. / News1