With the Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling on suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol looming, authorities in Seoul are rolling out extensive safety measures amid expectations of large-scale rallies both for and against his ouster.
Though the exact date for the court’s ruling is yet to be announced, the operator of the Seoul subway system announced Thursday that it may close Anguk Station on Line No. 3, the station closest to the Constitutional Court, if concerns over safety issues arise on the day of Yoon’s impeachment ruling.
According to Seoul Metro, if Anguk Station closes due to extreme congestion, additional measures will also be taken at nearby Jongno 3-ga Station (Line Nos. 1, 3 and 5) and Jonggak Station (Line No. 1) to manage large crowds.
Seoul Metro explained that it will establish a separate response team and command center at the protest site for swift cooperation with other organizations, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Seoul Metropolitan Government, the National Police Agency and district offices, to prevent any potential safety incidents.
It added that police officers will be deployed at subway station exits where trains pass through the stations without stopping, or entrance closures are required.
Schools in the vicinity of the Constitutional Court are also considering closures on the day of the impeachment ruling.
Two elementary schools, Unhyun Elementary School and Kyodong Elementary School, as well as Seoul Geongun School, a school for students with disabilities, are located near Anguk Station, where anti- and pro-Yoon rallies are expected to take place. These three schools, together with three others near the court have a combined total of almost 1,400 students, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education had previously revealed plans to ensure student safety, as the impeachment ruling for Yoon is expected as early as next week. The office announced Wednesday that it will operate a task force that monitors the safety of commuting students.
The education office also said it is considering deploying officials to guide students safely to and from school, and the schools have been advised to consider shortened classes or closures if necessary.
The student safety measures are expected to intensify following the announcement of Yoon’s verdict.
The Korean National Police Agency is also heightening security to prevent any potential accidents.
Alongside squads of riot police, special units consisting of 10 to 20 investigators each will be stationed in areas near the Constitutional Court on the day of the impeachment ruling.
According to the police, the special units will not only be tasked to prevent physical collision between Yoon’s supporters and detractors, but also make lifesaving efforts in case of emergency.
The police will be able to use expandable batons and tear gas if necessary as well.
Some speculate that the KNPA's escalated security measures are related to the shocking attack on the Seoul Western District Court in January. Hundreds of Yoon supporters broke into the court building after a formal arrest warrant for Yoon was granted over his short-lived martial law declaration.
sj_lee@heraldcorp.com
