Removing wooden sticks and bricks, even conducting random checks... Police intensify efforts in preparation for Yoon's impeachment ruling

591 Hazards Inspected, Over 300 Cases Addressed

The police are strengthening their readiness for the ruling day of President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial by removing hazards near the Constitutional Court and increasing patrols.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Mobile Patrol Unit is clearing liquor bottles that could be used as weapons at a restaurant near the Constitutional Court. Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency

The Mobile Patrol Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 25th that from the 11th to the 23rd, they patrolled the Jongno-gu and Jung-gu areas around the Constitutional Court, inspecting 591 hazards such as tools that could be used as weapons or facilities posing safety concerns, and took temporary improvement measures on over 300 cases.

During this period, the police deployed more than 2,700 personnel to strengthen patrols in crowded places and conducted crackdowns, including questioning suspicious individuals suspected of carrying weapons during patrols.

On the day of the ruling, the police installed safety fences at the ventilation shafts of Jongno 3-ga Station to prevent fall accidents in case of crowding. They also cleared wooden planks, bricks, and metal pipes around construction sites that could be used as weapons, as well as discarded liquor bottles and gas canisters in restaurant areas.

Administrative guidance was provided to businesses selling flammable materials such as sword and knife shops, shooting ranges, and gas stations.

During patrols, the police also apprehended 30 wanted individuals, 33 criminal offenders including drunk drivers, and cracked down on 231 cases of basic order violations such as causing public unease. On the 14th, a man acting suspiciously while hiding objects under his jumper fled but was subdued and arrested on the spot. On the 15th, a citizen who had participated in a rally was found collapsed on their way home; the police performed CPR and transported the individual to a hospital.

A police official stated, "We will continue to do our utmost to maintain security in the special crime prevention zones until the ruling day," and added, "As the ruling day approaches, the areas around the Constitutional Court and Gwanghwamun may become very congested, so we ask business owners and building managers to cooperate in inspecting facility safety and strengthening security."

Earlier, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced plans to strictly respond to illegal activities related to the impeachment trial by deploying 100% of police forces and declaring a high alert on the day of the ruling.