Former President Yoon Seok-yeol's Security Service Deputy Head Resigns Amid Staff Backlash
Deputy Head of the Presidential Security Service, Kim Seong-hoon, officially announced his intention to resign on the afternoon of the 15th. Despite his attempt to maintain control over personnel and operations within the Security Service after the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, it seems he ultimately gave up amidst collective backlash and demands for his resignation from Security Service staff.
Collective Backlash and Demands for Resignation
According to a report by Korea Herald, during a staff meeting at 2 PM that day, Kim expressed, "I will work until the end of April and then resign."
The Chief of the Security Headquarters, Lee Kwang-woo, who is also under pressure to resign, is currently on leave until the 25th, and it is expected that he will make a decision regarding his position upon his return.
Intensifying Internal Conflicts in the Security Service Amidst the Label of 'Private Army'
After the president's impeachment, Kim made it clear during a leadership meeting on the 7th that he had no intention of resigning and attempted to carry out retaliatory disciplinary actions against executives who opposed the orders to prevent the execution of the arrest warrant against the president. This move further deepened the internal conflict within the Security Service.
Since the 8th, the Security Service staff have been actively circulating a petition titled "Petition for the Suspension of Authority of the Deputy Security Chief and Others," strongly demanding the resignation of Deputy Chief Kim Seong-hoon and Chief Lee Kwang-woo.
The petition states, "The current Security Service is at a crossroads regarding its existence, suffering from the mocking label of a 'private army.' Deputy Chief Kim and Chief Lee have entrenched their positions within the Security Service backed by the President's trust, have acted illegally in abuse of power, and have endangered the organization."
It is reported that a significant number of the over 700 staff members in the Security Service participated in this petition.
One Security Service official questioned, "I don’t understand why he’s delaying his resignation until the end of April instead of stepping down immediately."
Kim Seong-hoon Under Investigation
Kim Seong-hoon is currently under investigation by the police.
He has been identified as a target of investigation for allegedly ordering the deletion of communication records from the presidential office's secret phone, which are key evidence in the crime of rebellion, and for obstructing the execution of the arrest warrant against former President Yoon Seok-yeol with physical force (charges include abuse of power and obstruction of the execution of special public duties).
Notably, even after the couple, Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Gun-hee, moved from the presidential residence in Hannam-dong to Acro Vista in Seocho-dong on the 11th, Kim sought to maintain his influence by directly handling their security. This behavior has intensified the criticism that the Security Service has become a 'private army' for Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Gun-hee.
Image Source: Kim Seong-hoon, Deputy Head of the Security Service, is seen on the afternoon of the 11th, providing security for First Lady Kim Gun-hee at the main gate of Acro Vista in Seocho-gu, Seoul. 2025.04.11 / News1
