Police Declare Gopho Emergency on 'Yoon Impeachment Verdict Day'... 20,000 Riot Police Deployed

100% Police Force Mobilized
Zero Tolerance for Illegal and Violent Acts
Ban on Release of Privately Owned Firearms

The police announced that they will declare a highest-level alert (Gapho Alert) and deploy over 20,000 riot police on the day of the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Seok-yeol.

Police officers are on guard duty at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 14th at 2 p.m., the National Police Agency held a situation assessment meeting chaired by Acting Commissioner Lee Ho-young to review response measures. Following this, Acting Commissioner Lee personally visited the Constitutional Court area to inspect the police safety management status.

The National Police Agency will implement emergency duty starting the day before the verdict with a second-level alert (Eulho Alert) at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and on the day of the verdict, will declare the highest-level alert (Gapho Alert) to mobilize 100% of police forces. They plan to deploy over 20,000 personnel from 337 riot police units nationwide and fully mobilize available personnel including mobile patrol units and detectives to maintain public order stably.

Around the Constitutional Court, riot police and safety fences along with other order maintenance equipment will be concentrated, and dedicated security squads, detectives, and police special forces will be deployed forward. The area around the Constitutional Court will be designated as a no-fly zone before and after the verdict day, and illegal drone flights will be captured on-site using radio wave jammers and other devices.

Sufficient police forces and equipment will also be deployed to major national institutions such as the National Assembly, courts, investigative agencies, as well as media outlets and political party offices nationwide to suppress illegal atmospheres in advance.

In preparation for potential violent and aggressive protests before and after the Constitutional Court’s verdict, riot police will wear body protection gear and carry police equipment such as distancing sprayers, which will be used under the judgment of on-site commanders if necessary. Acts challenging public authority such as facility destruction, arson, and assault on police officers will be met with a zero-tolerance policy and offenders will be arrested on the spot.

The central Seoul area will be divided into eight zones designated as special crime prevention reinforcement areas, with about 1,300 personnel including mobile patrol units, 112 local police, detectives, and traffic police organized and operated under the responsibility of each district police chief.

In preparation for any emergencies, the release of 86,811 privately owned firearms stored in police stations will be prohibited from midnight the day before the verdict until noon three days after the verdict day.

Acting Commissioner Lee Ho-young said, “We are preparing thoroughly assuming the worst-case scenario, and any illegal or violent acts that infringe upon the functions of constitutional institutions will be strictly punished without exception. We ask for active cooperation with police guidance and control to maintain order, and sincerely urge citizens to demonstrate mature civic consciousness befitting the dignity of an advanced nation.”