Ahead of Yoon's Sentencing, Full Security Measures... Acting Chief Choi: "No Tolerance for Challenges to Public Authority"

Major Downtown Seoul Designated as 'Special Crime Prevention Reinforcement Zones'
'Level A Emergency' on Ruling Day... 100% Police Force Mobilized
Collective Riots to Be Met with Arrests... "No Exceptions in Judicial Action"

With the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial imminent, the government has taken measures such as designating major downtown areas of Seoul as 'Special Crime Prevention Reinforcement Zones.' Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, stated, "We will strictly hold accountable any acts challenging public authority, such as facility destruction, arson, and assault on police officers, with a zero-tolerance policy."

On the morning of the 14th, Acting Prime Minister Choi presided over a security-related ministers' meeting at the Government Complex Seoul to discuss safety measures for the impeachment ruling day. Given the high risk of physical clashes between pro- and anti-impeachment groups before and after President Yoon's impeachment ruling, the government intends to significantly strengthen security nationwide, including Seoul. During the impeachment ruling of former President Park Geun-hye, four people died.

Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Minister of Economy and Finance, is speaking at the Public Security Ministers' Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

First, the government will divide major downtown areas of Seoul into eight zones, designating them as Special Crime Prevention Reinforcement Zones, and will conduct extensive security activities including crime prevention and suppression of violent incidents. The police will issue emergency duty orders starting the day before the ruling. On the day of the ruling, a highest-level emergency will be declared, mobilizing 100% of available police forces to maintain security not only in downtown Seoul but across the country.

Safety fences and mobile units will be deployed around the Constitutional Court, and dedicated security teams along with criminal and police special forces will ensure the safety of the court and its justices. The government emphasized, "We will respond on the principle of arresting offenders caught in the act for collective riots and assaults on police officers, thoroughly tracking ringleaders and ensuring they face judicial punishment without exception."

Acting Prime Minister Choi stressed, "While respecting the freedom of assembly and demonstration, the government has established principles to protect the safety of the people and social order. We will firmly respond to illegal violent acts according to law and principles and strengthen measures to protect citizens' daily lives."

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will dispatch 'On-site Situation Managers' to subway stations near the Constitutional Court gatherings to operate field command posts, and the Fire Agency will run a 'Situation Response Team' for rapid response in case of accidents. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will activate the 'Citizen Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' led by the Deputy Mayor for Administration. Acting Prime Minister Choi said, "The international community is closely watching the Republic of Korea. Once again, I earnestly urge the citizens to demonstrate mature civic consciousness befitting the dignity of an advanced nation."