Kim Seong-hoon, the deputy chief of the Presidential Security Service, arrives at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials from for questioning on Friday. (Joint Press Corp.)
Kim Seong-hoon, the deputy chief of the Presidential Security Service, arrives at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials from for questioning on Friday. (Joint Press Corp.)

The Presidential Security Service conducted a special birthday service for now-impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol during its 60th-anniversary event in 2023, a local media outlet reported Monday.

According to SBS, the PSS' celebration two years ago was largely dedicated to Yoon and celebrated on his birthday, Dec. 18, rather than the agency's founding day of Dec. 17.

The highlight of the celebration was a revised version of "Seasons of Love" from the popular musical "Rent" dedicated to Yoon. In place of the famous "525,600 minutes” verse, the PSS officials sang "845,380 minutes," referring to Yoon's 587 days in the office at that point.

The song praised Yoon for "thinking only about the people during your valuable 845,380 minutes." The PSS then sang another rewritten song to celebrate "the momentous day that heaven has sent the president for new Korea."

The background music, including the chorus, was prerecorded by some 10 confidential musicians.

Several PSS officials who participated in the event reportedly expressed discontent over other activities, including writing poems dedicated to Yoon.

The event was hosted by Kim Yong-hyun, the then-PSS chief who went on to become defense minister, and planned by current PSS Deputy Chief Kim Seong-hoon. Both have been arrested, former minister Kim for his part in the alleged insurrection led by Yoon and the PSS' Kim for obstructing the arrest of Yoon on Jan. 3.

Yoon himself is currently detained on the charges of leading an insurrection and abusing his powers as president by declaring martial law on Dec. 3 and giving supposedly illegal orders to his officials.

The news of Yoon's birthday event came a few days after it was revealed that PSS' deputy chief Kim held a surprise birthday event for first lady Kim Kun Hee last year, using the agency's car and officials. It was reported that the deputy chief’s event planning, including balloons and a banner, earned him the trust of the first lady and the former defense minister.

Following the revelation of Yoon's birthday celebration, popular singer Lee Seung-hwan criticized the event and likened it to the idolization of the leaders in the dictatorial North Korean regime.