Presidential Security Service
Encyclopedia
Presidential Security Service (대통령경호실, Dae Tong Ryeong Gyeong Ho Shil), or PSS for short, is a South Korean close protection agency. Based on the United States Secret Service
, the South Korean PSS is an independent agency responsible for the protection of the President of South Korea
and the Blue House
.
The unit is currently being commanded by Yom Sang Guk, 12th chief officer of the PSS. Its headquarters and related support units are based near the Blue House
.
The PSS had been established in 1949 as the Kyong Mu Dae Presidential Security Police. Its name soon changed in 1960 to the Blue House Presidential Police with a Security Force raised in 1961 to closely guard Park Chung Hee.
The unit had a name change again, this time to the PSS, after the PSS Law 157 had passed in 1963 with Hong Jong Chul as its first chief under the direction of the Gyeongmundae Police Force. PSS responsibilities were increased after North Korea
n soldiers of the 124th Army Unit attacked the Blue House
in 1968.
In 1974, the PSS was granted more power over the South Korean military and various law enforcement agencies under the enactment of Security Committee for presidential protection (Executive Order 7246) and of Security Control Unit for presidential protection (Executive Order 7246) after Park Chung Hee's wife, Yuk Young-soo
was killed.
The abolishment of Security Committee for presidential protection (Executive Order 9692) and abolishment of Security Control Unit for presidential protection (Executive Order 9692) came in 1979 after Park Chung Hee had been assassinated. In 1981, the PSS was mandated, by the revision of PSS directives, to protect former South Korean presidents and their families.
The PSS was involved in the close protection of Pope John Paul II
during an attempt to attack him when he visited the country on May 6, 1984 in Seoul
.
On February 1, 1989, the Cheongnamdae (Presidential retreat) guard squad was formed.
On April 1, 1993, the Mugunghwa Dongsa division was created to act as a counter-terrorism unit. On March 3, 1999, a PSS Multi Security Training Center was created.
During the 2002 FIFA World Cup
, the PSS established the Cheong Wa Dae World Cup Safety Measures Team and the World Cup Security & Safety Control Division to bolster security on South Korea
n soil
The PSS was relieved of their guard duties of the Blue House
on April 18, 2003 as jurisdiction was given to the Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Government. On January 1, 2005, the Pusan APEC Security Safety Control Group was established by the PSS
The Presidential Security Safety Measures Committee was legalized as a committee on March 10, 2005.
Loyalty - The very basic mental attitude of security agents towards the nation and its people
Eternity - Security duties pursue eternal honor to the end by being with the President with a precondition of self-sacrifice
Honor - Expertise and dignity of the security duty based on sacrifice and service
United States Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
, the South Korean PSS is an independent agency responsible for the protection of the President of South Korea
President of South Korea
The President of the Republic of Korea is, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, chief executive of the government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the head of state of the Republic of Korea...
and the Blue House
Cheong Wa Dae
The Cheongwadae or Blue House is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea...
.
The unit is currently being commanded by Yom Sang Guk, 12th chief officer of the PSS. Its headquarters and related support units are based near the Blue House
Cheong Wa Dae
The Cheongwadae or Blue House is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea...
.
History
The unit had a name change again, this time to the PSS, after the PSS Law 157 had passed in 1963 with Hong Jong Chul as its first chief under the direction of the Gyeongmundae Police Force. PSS responsibilities were increased after North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n soldiers of the 124th Army Unit attacked the Blue House
Cheong Wa Dae
The Cheongwadae or Blue House is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea...
in 1968.
In 1974, the PSS was granted more power over the South Korean military and various law enforcement agencies under the enactment of Security Committee for presidential protection (Executive Order 7246) and of Security Control Unit for presidential protection (Executive Order 7246) after Park Chung Hee's wife, Yuk Young-soo
Yuk Young-soo
Yuk Young-soo was the wife of the former president Park Chung-hee and the mother of Korean politician, Park Geun-hye.-Biography:...
was killed.
The abolishment of Security Committee for presidential protection (Executive Order 9692) and abolishment of Security Control Unit for presidential protection (Executive Order 9692) came in 1979 after Park Chung Hee had been assassinated. In 1981, the PSS was mandated, by the revision of PSS directives, to protect former South Korean presidents and their families.
The PSS was involved in the close protection of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
during an attempt to attack him when he visited the country on May 6, 1984 in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
.
On February 1, 1989, the Cheongnamdae (Presidential retreat) guard squad was formed.
On April 1, 1993, the Mugunghwa Dongsa division was created to act as a counter-terrorism unit. On March 3, 1999, a PSS Multi Security Training Center was created.
During the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
, the PSS established the Cheong Wa Dae World Cup Safety Measures Team and the World Cup Security & Safety Control Division to bolster security on South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n soil
The PSS was relieved of their guard duties of the Blue House
Cheong Wa Dae
The Cheongwadae or Blue House is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea...
on April 18, 2003 as jurisdiction was given to the Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Government. On January 1, 2005, the Pusan APEC Security Safety Control Group was established by the PSS
The Presidential Security Safety Measures Committee was legalized as a committee on March 10, 2005.
Duties
Among the duties conducted by PSS agents include close protection for the following:- President of South KoreaPresident of South KoreaThe President of the Republic of Korea is, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, chief executive of the government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the head of state of the Republic of Korea...
and family - Blue HouseCheong Wa DaeThe Cheongwadae or Blue House is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea...
- Former Presidents of South Korea and family after 7 years
- Visiting heads of state
- Domestic/Foreign VIPs, under approval of the PSS
Organization
As of 2008, the PSS had been organized into the following:- Head of PSS
-
- Inspector General
-
- Vice Head of PSS
-
- Headquarters for Innovation & Planning
- Headquarters for Administration
- Headquarters for Protection
- Headquarters for Intelligence & Security
- Headquarters for Education & Training
-
Code
Unity - The will for unity amongst all and conformity with the President reflecting the teamwork orientated characteristic of security dutiesLoyalty - The very basic mental attitude of security agents towards the nation and its people
Eternity - Security duties pursue eternal honor to the end by being with the President with a precondition of self-sacrifice
Honor - Expertise and dignity of the security duty based on sacrifice and service
Pledge
- One, we will lay down our lives for the successful execution of our duties.
- Another, we will act in a righteous and truthful manner.
- Third, we will firmly unify on the basis of mutual trust.
- Fourth, we will guard the preservation of public peace like our lives.
- Fifth, we will guard the honor and maintain dignity.