Han Deok-su: "Any Decision by the Constitutional Court Must Be Respected... On Challenge to Public Authority, Immediate Arrest of Offenders"

Han Duck-soo Presides Over Security Ministers' Meeting
"Republic of Korea at a Critical Turning Point in Constitutional History"

Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo stated on the 25th regarding the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial, "Regardless of the outcome of the Constitutional Court's decision, it must be respected as a legal judgment made through a democratic process."

He added, "We will firmly take action and thoroughly investigate any acts that challenge public authority or disrupt public peace and social order, such as facility destruction, assault, and arson, based on the principle of 'arresting in flagrante delicto.'"

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is speaking at the Public Safety Ministers' Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 25th. Photo by Yonhap News

Acting President Han said at the Security-related Ministers' Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in the afternoon, "Our Republic of Korea is currently at a critical turning point in its constitutional history."

He continued, "As the decision approaches, various voices are erupting in squares and streets," and earnestly requested, "Please express your opinions in an orderly and peaceful manner within the framework set by the Constitution and laws."

He also emphasized, "The freedom of assembly and demonstration must be exercised peacefully within the scope guaranteed by the Constitution and laws," adding, "The government will do its utmost to protect the lives and safety of the people and maintain order. We will mobilize all available police and administrative resources to maintain public order stably under any circumstances."

Acting President Han stated, "The government will widely deploy mobile units to prepare for contingencies and respond swiftly according to situations, designate eight special crime prevention zones in major urban areas, and deploy regional response teams to secure public safety without gaps," and urged, "Along with the police, related agencies such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Seoul City should thoroughly prepare to prevent any unfortunate incidents such as crowd accidents."

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is speaking at the Public Safety Ministers' Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 25th. Photo by Yonhap News

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who attended the meeting, said, "Assembly and demonstration acts that threaten citizens' safety and undermine public order are absolutely unacceptable," and explained, "Seoul City will prioritize citizens' safety and peaceful daily life and prepare strongly."

Seoul City plans to activate the Citizen Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on an emergency basis to prevent chaos before and after the impeachment ruling and to respond with full safety management.

Mayor Oh said, "Seoul City, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, and the Transportation Corporation will add up to about 1,300 personnel daily to focus on safety management around Anguk Station, Gwanghwamun Station, City Hall Station, Hangangjin Station, and Yeouido Station," and "city buses are preparing to operate temporary detours according to police traffic control."

He continued, "Subways will organize temporary trains and add more cars if necessary," and "Anguk Station on Line 3, which is close to the Constitutional Court, will be closed all day on the day of the impeachment trial ruling due to the high risk of safety accidents caused by crowd congestion."

Mayor Oh added, "Hangangjin Station on Line 6, near the presidential residence, will have its closure decided flexibly depending on on-site conditions such as station congestion," and "we will also request the three mobile carriers to expand mobile base stations to ensure smooth communication services."