Schools near Constitutional Court consider temporary closures, shortening class hours
With suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment ruling expected by mid-March, the Korean National Police Agency announced Wednesday that it will heighten security to the highest level outside the Constitutional Court when Yoon’s verdict is delivered to prevent any potential safety incidents.
According to the KNPA, a number of special units consisting of 10 to 20 investigators each will be stationed outside the Constitutional Court on the day when Yoon’s impeachment ruling is to be announced, in addition to the riot police squads that are already planned to be stationed near the site.
For the last two presidential impeachment trials for former President Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 and former President Park Geun-hye in 2017, the court has announced the date it will make its verdict two to three days in advance.
The special unit team will be trained to counter any unexpected safety incidents that may arise, while the riot police squad will be deployed to confront large crowds as well as protests near the Constitutional Court.
The number of police squads and special investigation units that will be stationed on the day of the ruling have not been addressed yet by the KNPA.
In addition to deploying many police officials, the KNPA added that the police will be ordered to use expandable batons and tear gas if deemed necessary at the discretion of the commander on site.
The police’ heightened security measures ahead of the Constitutional Court announcing its verdict on Yoon’s botched martial law declaration on Dec. 3 is speculated to be related to the chaos that unfolded following the impeachment of Park in March 2017. Back then, Park’s supporters hijacked a police bus and assaulted journalists and civilians on-site, voicing anger and confusion toward the Constitutional Court’s decision to impeach Park.
In January, the Seoul Western District Court was attacked by hundreds of Yoon’s supporters, who opposed the court’s ruling that granted a formal arrest warrant for the embattled leader.
“We will mobilize all police forces to prevent the recurring of similar cases from the past, and block a physical collision between those in favor of and against Yoon’s impeachment,” Lee Ho-young, the acting chief of the KNPA, told reporters at a press briefing held on Tuesday.
The KNPA added that they were also “positively reviewing” issuing the highest emergency level if it is expected that there may be limitations on the mobilization of officers on the day of the ruling. The issuance of the highest emergency level out of the police’s emergency response system allows the mobilization of up to 100 percent of all available police personnel.
With protests expected to escalate in intensity following the announcement of Yoon’s verdict, schools located near the Constitutional Court are preparing safety measures, including temporary closures on the day of the ruling.
Schools such as Jaedong Elementary School and Duksung Girls’ Middle and High School are located within a 100-meter radius of the Constitutional Court. Three other schools, such as Unhyun Elementary School, Kyodong Elementary School and Seoul Gyeongun School are also located near Anguk Station Exit No. 5, where pro-Yoon rallies have been frequently held.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, the six schools have a total of 1,400 students. Expressing concerns about the safety of commuting students should protests turn violent following the impeachment ruling, the education office proposed that the schools consider shortened school hours or temporary closures as a precaution.
A safety support group under the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will be deployed to assist students during their commutes. In the days leading up to the verdict and on the day of the ruling, teams of at least three volunteers will be stationed at each school to ensure student safety.
Park Hyun-soo, chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, also stated on Wednesday that the police situated in Seoul will “do their best to manage school safety,” as “large-scale protests are expected to occur on the day of the Constitutional Court’s verdict.”
lee.jungjoo@heraldcorp.com
