Perceived Temperature at Minus 15 Degrees Cold Snap
Low Likelihood of Arrest Warrant Execution Today
On the 9th, when the first cold wave warning of this winter was issued in Seoul, the rally held in front of President Yoon Suk-yeol's residence also entered a lull.
On the morning of the 9th, when the severe cold wave arrived, a rally of supporters of President Yoon Seok-yeol is taking place in front of the International Lutheran Church in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Lee Gwan-ju
At around 7 a.m. that day, in front of the International Lutheran Church in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where a rally of supporters of President Yoon was taking place, there were no speakers or chants on the stage due to the biting cold with a wind chill below minus 15 degrees Celsius. Compared to the previous day at the same time, when about 600 people waved Taegeukgi flags and repeatedly shouted slogans such as "Protect the President," the scene was quiet.
About 50 supporters gathered under a tent warmed themselves by covering with blankets or sharing fish cake soup. It was also observed that Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, visited and encouraged the gathered supporters. As the rally proceeded quietly, the police minimized their response by deploying only one or two officers sporadically to maintain order.
At a similar time, no chants were heard at the supporters' rally held in front of Hannam Elementary School. Although a rally truck was set up, no one was gathered in front of it, and only about ten people stood on the sidewalk. About five supporters remained at the path leading from Hannam Elementary School toward the presidential residence.
The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (Gongsoocheo) and the police are still negotiating the timing for executing the second arrest warrant for President Yoon. Since the residence has been fortified and a prolonged standoff and clashes are expected during the execution, it is considered unlikely that the operation will proceed on this day of severe cold.
On the morning of the 9th, when the first cold wave advisory of this winter was issued across Seoul, citizens are walking in thick clothing at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, as of 8 a.m. that day, the temperature in Seoul was minus 10.1 degrees Celsius, with a wind chill of minus 16.5 degrees Celsius. The daytime high temperature remained at minus 8 degrees Celsius, and the cold wave continued throughout the day. The KMA forecasted, "Cold air from the northwest will move southward, causing morning temperatures to drop to around minus 15 degrees Celsius mainly in the central region, eastern Jeonbuk, and northern inland Gyeongbuk." This cold spell is expected to gradually ease from the afternoon of the 11th.
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