Temporary Closure of Schools Near Constitutional Court on Impeachment Ruling Day
Police Activate Emergency Response System
Fire Authorities to Dispatch Pump and Command Vehicles
District Office Implements Measures to Protect Cultural Heritage
As the impeachment trial decision for President Yoon Suk-yeol appears imminent, confusion is expected around the Constitutional Court on the day of the ruling, prompting nearby schools and commercial areas to prepare safety measures. Concerns about safety are also spreading to schools and businesses in nearby areas where major protests are held. On the 12th, the Seoul Jungbu Office of Education announced that 11 schools and attached kindergartens around the Constitutional Court will temporarily close on the day at the discretion of the school principals. In particular, nearby elementary schools and attached kindergartens are expected to close temporarily for two days until the day before the ruling. There are 11 schools around the Constitutional Court, including Jaedong Elementary School and its attached kindergarten, Unhyeon Elementary School and its attached kindergarten, Gyodong Elementary School, Deoksung Girls' Middle and High School, Jungang Middle and High School, Gyeongun School, and Daedong Tax High School.
On the 11th, as the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Seok-yeol approaches, police security is being strengthened around the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
Not only around the Constitutional Court, but large-scale rallies have continued throughout Seoul since the 'December 3 Emergency Martial Law' incident, causing inconvenience to nearby schools and businesses. Nearby schools have already been suffering due to the ongoing protests. In front of Jaedong Elementary School, the closest school to the Constitutional Court, piercing screams can be heard daily through the protestors' loudspeakers, disrupting students' right to learn. The noise is so loud that it can be heard even with ears covered, and numerous trucks displaying screens repeatedly criticizing China have been passing in front of some school gates.
Before President Yoon was arrested, the Hannam-dong area in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where the presidential residence is located, was also troubled by protests. In particular, Hannam Elementary School, located in front of the residence, suffered noise damage as the loudspeakers and microphones installed on the protest stage transmitted noise directly into the school. Although the school was on winter break at the time, safety issues arose because some students attended after-school programs.
Not only schools but also self-employed business owners near the Constitutional Court are considering their own measures, such as closing on the day of the ruling. Especially, restaurants near the Constitutional Court have almost no foot traffic due to the protestors, and ordinary citizens are avoiding the area altogether. Nearby office workers are also reported to leave the area quickly after work for safety reasons.
Police Considering Deployment of Special Police Forces on Yoon Impeachment Ruling Day
Security around the Constitutional Court will be strengthened ahead of the impeachment ruling for President Yoon Suk-yeol. The police and Seoul Metro have announced plans to close subway stations and gas stations near the Constitutional Court on the day of the ruling in preparation for any emergencies. On the 9th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency reportedly discussed measures to block protestors' access to gas stations near major rally sites during an internal meeting. This is based on concerns that protestors, excited by the impeachment ruling results, might seize fuel stored at gas stations and set fires, escalating into riots.
Police security is being strengthened around the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 11th, as the impeachment trial verdict of President Yoon Seok-yeol approaches. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
Following police requests, gas stations near the Constitutional Court, where the largest crowds are expected, have announced closures on the day of the ruling. Additionally, the police are considering banning blasting operations using explosives at construction sites around the Constitutional Court around the ruling day. The police are also planning to conduct explosive detection inspections inside the Constitutional Court before the ruling day, deploying special police bomb disposal units and police dogs.
The police's concern over safety measures stems from numerous incidents and accidents that occurred around the Constitutional Court and protest areas during the impeachment ruling day of former President Park Geun-hye. During Park Geun-hye's impeachment ruling, some protestors hijacked a police bus and rammed it into police barricades. This incident caused a large speaker on top of the bus to fall onto another participant, resulting in a fatal accident.
On the 11th, as the impeachment ruling for President Yoon Seok-yeol approaches, police barricades surrounded the area around the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
To prevent riots in advance, the police stated that if a large number of people gather near the Constitutional Court on the day of the ruling and safety accidents occur, they are prepared to immediately deploy special police forces. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is also discussing issuing the highest-level emergency alert, Gapho Emergency, on the ruling day. This is in preparation for large-scale violent protests, and the police are also closely monitoring special personal protection for the Constitutional Court justices. A police official said, "Crowd control is handled by riot police or local governments, but the special forces will be ready to respond in case of incidents."
The police plan to strengthen security not only around the Constitutional Court but also at the Seoul Western District Court and Seoul Central District Court, which could also be targets before and after the ruling. Security levels at the U.S., Japanese, and Chinese embassies will also be heightened, based on the assessment that embassies could become targets depending on the ruling outcome. Pro- and anti-impeachment rallies around the Constitutional Court will be spatially separated near Jaedong Elementary School and Anguk Station to prevent clashes.
Furthermore, it is reported that general public access may be restricted before and after the ruling. Not only the police but also fire authorities plan to deploy command vehicles and pump trucks on site to prepare for arson, protestor fainting, and other emergency situations. Jongno District Office is also preparing measures to protect cultural assets such as the natural monument 'Seoul Jaedong Baeksong' located behind the Constitutional Court.
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