Rising Tensions Near Constitutional Court Ahead of President Yoon's Impeachment Verdict
Schools Temporarily Closed and Special Security Measures Enforced
Both Sides Hold Rallies as Impeachment Decision Approaches
Government Vows Strict Response to Any Illegal Acts or Violence
Tensions are rising around the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, ahead of the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Suk-yeol. There are concerns that violence similar to the incidents following the impeachment verdict of former President Park Geun-hye could occur.
On the 11th, as the impeachment ruling for President Yoon Seok-yeol approaches, pro- and anti-impeachment groups clashed, expressing their opinions in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. 2025.3.11. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has decided to temporarily close 11 schools near the Constitutional Court, including kindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and special schools, on the day of the presidential impeachment verdict. Elementary schools and kindergartens near the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, are also considering a holiday on the verdict day. This is due to safety concerns if large crowds supporting or opposing the impeachment gather. Jeong Geun-sik, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, stated, "We will do our best to secure the safety of school routes from assemblies and demonstrations and to stabilize educational activities."
The police have designated eight areas near the Constitutional Court as special crime prevention zones and are preparing for the worst-case scenario. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport approved the police's request to designate a temporary no-fly zone within a 1.85 km radius centered on the Constitutional Court. Additionally, the police are considering measures such as banning firearm issuance for a certain period starting the day before the scheduled impeachment verdict and closing gas stations near the Constitutional Court to prepare for any possible terrorist or unexpected incidents. Furthermore, the Jongno District Office has requested street vendors' associations to suspend operations near the Constitutional Court.
President Yoon Seok-yeol, released from Seoul Detention Center, is seen raising his hand to supporters as he gets out of the car in front of his residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, on the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News.
As tensions rise ahead of President Yoon's impeachment verdict, various institutions are implementing multiple measures. The Korea Right Movement Headquarters (Daegukbon), led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, held a rally on the 1st at Gwanghwamun, Seoul, urging the dismissal of President Yoon's impeachment. The rally included several extreme remarks rejecting the Constitutional Court's decision. Lee Myung-gyu, lawyer for former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, revealed a prison letter from Kim and said, "Let us immediately punish Constitutional Court Justices Moon Hyung-bae, Lee Mi-seon, and Jeong Gye-seon, who led the illegal impeachment trial." Pastor Jeon continued with aggressive rhetoric, saying, "Let us invoke the people's right to resist."
President Yoon is also showing actions that empower his supporters. On the 8th, after being released due to a court's cancellation of his detention, President Yoon expressed, "I deeply thank the many citizens and our future generations who sent their support despite the cold weather," and added, "There are also people imprisoned related to my detention, and I pray for their swift release." He did not mention acceptance of the Constitutional Court's impeachment verdict or apologize for the declaration of emergency martial law on December 3.
Members of the Democratic Party of Korea participating in the walk demanding the dismissal of President Yoon Seok-yeol are departing from the National Assembly towards Gwanghwamun on March 12, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
The pro-impeachment side is also rallying to urge the Constitutional Court to accept the impeachment. Twenty co-representatives of the 'Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of Yoon Suk-yeol and Social Reform' (Emergency Action), composed of about 1,500 civic groups, have been conducting a hunger strike in front of Seosipjagak in Gwanghwamun since the 8th. They plan to continue holding rallies until the impeachment verdict is announced. On the 13th, Emergency Action held an urgent press conference in front of the Constitutional Court, stating, "The dismissal of President Yoon is urgent to protect the constitution and democracy," and "Citizens are coming out to the streets daily with impatience."
The opposition party also took to the streets instead of the National Assembly, demanding the Constitutional Court promptly accept President Yoon's impeachment. The Democratic Party of Korea held a walking march from the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to Gwanghwamun on the 12th. They plan to continue the march until the 15th.
Angry Park Supporters Storm Constitutional Court... Government Declares "No Tolerance for Illegal Acts and Violence"
The police issued the highest alert level, Gapho Emergency, during the impeachment verdict day of former President Park Geun-hye in 2017. At that time, opposition to the impeachment verdict was strong, mainly among Park's supporters. Civic groups such as the 'National Rally for the Dismissal of the Presidential Impeachment' (Tankiguk) and other Park supporters held a rally on March 1, 2017, at Gwanghwamun Square, demanding the dismissal of Park's impeachment. Participants emphasized their refusal to accept the impeachment verdict. Kim Pyeong-woo, a lawyer from Park's defense team, said, "Good citizens are not those who say they will unconditionally accept arrogant judges," and called the Candlelight Movement "children of darkness." Jeong Gwang-yong, spokesperson for Tankiguk, warned that they would not hesitate to use violence, saying, "We will follow in the footsteps of our patriotic ancestors who bled resisting Japanese colonial rule."
When Park's impeachment was announced on March 10, 2017, her supporters immediately claimed the impeachment was invalid and attempted to enter the Constitutional Court. During this process, Park's supporters clashed with police, swinging sticks and spraying fire extinguishers. Some supporters shook buses set up by the police. Ultimately, a man in his 70s died after being hit by a large speaker that fell from a bus measuring noise levels. Additionally, two men in their 70s and one man in his 60s were found unconscious at the rally site and were transported to hospitals but died. Thirty-three police officers were also injured. Those who incited violence were later legally punished. In 2019, the Supreme Court upheld the original sentence of one year and six months in prison with a two-year probation for Jeong, the spokesperson, who was charged with special obstruction of official duties and inciting violence during anti-impeachment protests.
The government has stated it will impose strict penalties if similar violent incidents occur. On the 11th, Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, presided over a Cabinet meeting and said, "Illegal and violent assemblies and demonstrations or acts challenging public authority will be strictly punished according to law and principles without any tolerance," and earnestly urged, "We sincerely ask for mature civic consciousness befitting our national dignity based on respect and understanding of differences."
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