"Let's Protect Yoon" Gathered 2030 Office Workers... 'Baekgoldan' Also Organized During 5th Republic Era

White Helmet-Wearing 'Baekgoldan' Appears in Front of Gwanjeo
"30 Men in Their 20s and 30s... Mostly Office Workers"
"Gas Masks Will Also Be Prepared Against Tear Gas"

At 4 a.m. on the 6th, members of the 'Baekgoldan' organized by the pro-Yoon protestors were guarding the street near Hannam Elementary School in front of the Presidential Residence in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Chosun Ilbo

As the re-execution of the second arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol approaches, supporters of the president are gathering at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, to prevent the arrest. It has been confirmed that the so-called 2030 "Baekgoldan," wearing white helmets, have even been organized by the pro-Yoon protestors. Baekgoldan refers to police units that suppressed and arrested protesters in the 1980s and 1990s. They were nicknamed Baekgoldan due to their distinctive white helmets, which set them apart from regular riot police.

Kim Jeong-hyun (42), director of the Baeksos Policy Research Institute, which co-hosts the pro-Yoon rallies near the residence, stated in an interview with the Chosun Ilbo on the 8th, "We have organized about 300 private security guards for President Yoon as of the 8th." Kim explained, "About 30 men in their 20s and 30s, including discharged soldiers, have formed the Baekgoldan," adding, "We are establishing a system to protect the residence with defense teams, reconnaissance teams, and search teams." He continued, "All members of Baekgoldan are volunteers, mostly office workers in their 20s and 30s. After work, they come straight to the residence and stay active throughout the night before leaving." He also mentioned, "Among the Baekgoldan members, there are those who served in special forces or as military police. They serve as training instructors for the roughly 300 private security guards."

Kim also said, "The security guards are receiving basic 'defensive wall training' to avoid being dragged out or pushed down by anti-Yoon protestors," and added, "With rumors circulating that police special forces will be deployed, we are preparing gas masks in case of tear gas." When asked if these activities might be illegal, he responded, "Although we do not have official authority, as a so-called 'vigilante group,' we believe we can conduct surveillance and evidence collection to some extent."

As the attempt to execute the second arrest warrant for President Yoon draws near, tensions between supporters and opponents of the president are intensifying. On the 7th, a video was posted on an online community showing a woman, believed to be a Yoon supporter, approaching and slapping a woman holding a "Support Impeachment" placard.