Police to erect massive barricade of buses surrounding Constitutional Court, presidential residence to block all access
With the Constitutional Court of Korea expected to deliver its ruling on suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment this week, police are reportedly preparing extensive security measures to prevent unrest.
According to local media reports, the police initially planned to mobilize 192 riot units, involving 12,000 officers across Seoul on the day of the court's impeachment ruling.
However, with Yoon having been suddenly released from detention Saturday, authorities are considering intensifying security measures, particularly around the presidential residence in Hannam-dong and the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
It is expected that about one-tenth of the approximately 130,000 police officers nationwide could be mobilized for the day of the verdict.
As the authorities expect large-scale protests from both pro- and anti-impeachment demonstrators, they plan to deploy 5,000 officers from 88 units around the Constitutional Court and Gwanghwamun the day before the ruling, together with 9,000 officers from 144 units that will create a “lockdown zone,” banning all entry to the area on the day of the ruling.
The police are also discussing blocking access to gas stations and construction sites near the court to prevent any incidents in the event of heightened public outrage. Authorities are concerned that individuals could attempt to seize flammable materials such as gasoline or diesel, posing risks of arson or other destructive actions.
The police, in consultation with the Constitutional Court and the Presidential Security Service, have decided to conduct explosive detection inspections at the building before the verdict.
Measures are being considered to dispatch additional police personnel to locations that could be targeted by protesters, including the embassies of the United States, China, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and Canada, as well as the homes of the Constitutional Court justices, the Seoul Central District Court and the Western District Court, and the headquarters of the ruling and the main opposition parties.
In 2017, after the Constitutional Court upheld ex-President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment, violent protests resulted in the deaths of four people. Some demonstrators hijacked police buses, leading to chaotic confrontations with law enforcement.
The exact date of the ruling is expected to be announced two to three days in advance, following past precedents. The impeachment ruling for former President Roh Moo-hyun was announced three days before the verdict, while the 2017 ruling on former President Park Geun-hye was announced two days earlier.
The Constitutional Court’s decision will take immediate effect upon announcement. If the impeachment motion is upheld, Yoon will be permanently removed from office. If the motion is dismissed, he will immediately resume his presidential duties.
jychoi@heraldcorp.com
