President Yoon Suk Yeol's security vehicle is seen leaving the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Yonhap

President Yoon Suk Yeol's detention has raised questions about the continuation of presidential security protocols, as he became the first sitting president in Korea's constitutional history to be confined, according to political observers Thursday.

The Presidential Security Service (PSS) confirmed that its security measures for Yoon will remain in effect as long as he holds the title of president, even though his duties are currently suspended. However, these measures will end if he is formally arrested.

Security for first lady Kim Keon Hee will continue as usual, regardless of the president's status.

"The Enforcement Decree of the Presidential Security Act stipulates that security services must continue as long as the individual retains the status of president," said Park Gwan-cheon, a former presidential official who served in the office of the presidential secretary for civil service discipline.

Park clarified that the decree also specifies that security services are terminated once a president is formally arrested.

"Arrest means that the suspect's whereabouts are managed by the Ministry of Justice," he said.

Despite the clear provisions of the law, confusion has arisen due to the lack of detailed rules regarding security protocols for a detained president who remains in office, which is an unprecedented situation.

"In the event of detention, the security service would coordinate with the detention center and conduct safety checks to ensure security," Park said.

President Yoon Suk Yeol is seen heading to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday, after completing the first round of questioning. Yonhap

PSS agents have accompanied Yoon since the moment he was detained by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and police at the presidential residence in central Seoul's Hannam-dong at around 10:33 a.m. on Wednesday.

The PSS provided security for approximately 11 hours, covering the whole period until the CIO's questioning ended at 9:40 p.m. the same day.

When Yoon was transported to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, PSS personnel continued their duties, accompanying him throughout the process.

About 30 minutes before Yoon arrived at the detention center, three PSS officers were seen inspecting the facility, reportedly checking for potential security risks in advance of Yoon's detention. Additional PSS personnel assessed the surrounding geography and the scale of police deployment nearby.

Upon Yoon's arrival at the detention center in a security vehicle, PSS agents followed him inside and reportedly decided to maintain their current security protocols during his detention.

Details about the PSS' ongoing security operations remain undisclosed due to their classified nature. However, it has been reported that the PSS and Seoul Detention Center are continuing discussions to determine the appropriate methods and levels of security.

Meanwhile, the security detail for the first lady will continue. Kim had been staying at the presidential residence with Yoon until his detention, and it is reported that she remains there.

As Kim remains legally recognized as the spouse of the president, she will continue to receive security protection. Although the number of individuals requiring security has decreased, the total number of security personnel will remain the same due to a fixed staffing requirement.

Furthermore, even if Yoon is removed from office following the impeachment ruling by the Constitutional Court, Kim will still be entitled to security services for the "necessary period" per the Honorable Treatment of Former Presidents Act.

Once the detention period concludes, security protocols become clearer.

If Yoon is officially arrested, security services will be suspended during his imprisonment. However, once he is released from prison — whether after serving his full sentence or being pardoned — security services will resume as part of the honor granted to a former president.

A former president is entitled to security service protection for up to 10 years, and this extends equally to the president's family, including the first lady.