79 Detained in Seoul Western District Court Intrusion
Security for Constitutional Court Justices Also Enhanced
On the day of the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Suk-yeol, the police plan to take thorough measures to respond to rallies and demonstrations, including discussing the issuance of a 'Gapho Emergency Alert.'
Park Hyun-soo, acting commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a regular press briefing on the 24th, "A large number of people are expected to gather on the day of the final impeachment trial verdict, and the possibility of friction or clashes cannot be ruled out," adding, "We plan to recommend the issuance of a Gapho Emergency Alert to the National Police Agency." He continued, "We are providing dedicated protection to all Constitutional Court justices from the time they arrive at work until they leave," and added, "We are also considering enhancing their personal security depending on the progress of the trial."
The Gapho Emergency Alert is the highest police alert level, suspending police officers' leave and allowing the deployment of up to 100% of available police personnel. Along with this, the police plan to conduct preventive activities and inspections of vulnerable facilities around the Constitutional Court (Constitutional Court of Korea) on the day of the verdict, as multiple safety incidents are anticipated.
Investigations into the 133 individuals involved in the intrusion incident at the Seoul Western District Court last month have also accelerated. Acting Commissioner Park said, "Currently, 79 people have been detained, and among them, 75 have been transferred to the prosecution," adding, "The remaining four will be transferred sequentially." The police also plan to continue investigations into conservative YouTubers and conservative online communities.
Investigations are ongoing into crime threat posts related to the Constitutional Court and other judicial institutions that were posted on online communities following the Seoul Western District Court intrusion incident. Acting Commissioner Park stated, "The Cyber Investigation Unit is investigating a total of 60 crime threat posts, including 55 reports received and 5 cases discovered through internal monitoring."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
