Yoon Impeachment Verdict D-2... Tension Rising Near Constitutional Court

Complete Control Over Citizens and Vehicles... School Closures and Remote Work for Companies
Pro- and Anti-Impeachment Rallies Held at Anguk Station
Police Create a 100-Meter Security Zone Around the Constitutional Court

"Please show your employee ID card, and if you do not have one, you must take another route."

On the 2nd, two days before the verdict on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment case, police installed barricades and controlled vehicle traffic around the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

On the morning of the 2nd at around 7:30 AM, two days before the impeachment trial verdict of President Yoon Seok-yeol, police officers were continuously shouting "Go back" to pedestrians in front of Exit 2 of Anguk Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This path was accessible just the day before, on the 1st. However, as the police increased security around the Constitutional Court, the area was restricted. Currently, vehicle movement toward the Constitutional Court from the Anguk Station intersection on Subway Line 3 is completely blocked, and vehicles must detour toward Jongno 3-ga in the opposite direction. Roads in central Seoul from Anguk Station to Gyeongbokgung Station experienced severe congestion during the morning commute on the 2nd due to overnight rallies held by thousands of participants from both pro- and anti-impeachment groups on the night of the 1st.

At 7:30 a.m. on the 2nd, police officers are guiding citizens heading from Exit 2 of Anguk Station toward the Constitutional Court to take a detour. Photo by Park Seung-wook

Strict security measures have been established around the Constitutional Court in preparation for any emergencies. On the verdict day, the 4th, the police plan to completely clear a 100-meter radius around the Constitutional Court. The 'Gapho Emergency Order' will be activated, mobilizing all available police forces. On the 4th, 20,000 personnel from 338 riot police units nationwide will be deployed, with 14,000 from 210 units concentrated in Seoul. Additionally, 34 fire trucks and 245 firefighting personnel will be dispatched to the scene, and police special forces will be on standby around the Constitutional Court. If anyone attempts to storm the Constitutional Court, they will be immediately arrested on the spot, and in case of violent incidents, the special forces will intervene.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has intensified the operation and expanded the role of the 'Citizen Safety Countermeasures Headquarters,' which has been active since the 17th of last month. Up to 1,350 personnel will be deployed daily for crowd control in areas such as Gwanghwamun, Anguk Station, and Yeouido for three days before and after the impeachment verdict. Seoul has also requested the three major mobile carriers to increase mobile base stations.

According to the police and Seoul Metro authorities, Anguk Station near the Constitutional Court will be closed from the first train on the 4th and trains will pass through without stopping. The police have already controlled four out of six exits at Anguk Station since the 1st, three days before the verdict. Seoul Metro, in consultation with the police, will also allow trains to pass without stopping at nearby stations including Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung, Jongno 3-ga, Jonggak, City Hall, and Hangangjin Station near the presidential residence, based on station manager decisions.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has entered a 24-hour situation management system and has fully blocked Yulgok-ro around Jaedong Intersection in front of the Constitutional Court. If the number of protesters increases, further restrictions will be imposed on Sajik-ro, Sejong-daero, and other roads.

Police are controlling vehicle movement near the Constitutional Court of Korea in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung Palaces, and the National Palace Museum near the Constitutional Court will be closed on the verdict day. Cultural events held at the palaces have been postponed or partially canceled. The changing of the guard ceremony at Heungnyemun Gate in Gyeongbokgung will not be held on the 4th. The 'Night of Changdeokgung Illuminated by Plum Blossom Lanterns' scheduled at Changdeokgung on the 4th has been canceled. Major museums and art galleries around Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun will also be closed on the 4th. The Seoul Museum of Craft Art has announced closure on its website for the 4th. Unhyeongung, located about 300 meters from the Constitutional Court, will also suspend visits on the 4th.

Six schools near the Constitutional Court have started temporary closures from the 2nd due to increased risks on commuting routes caused by intensified rallies. Jaedong Elementary School, Jaedong Elementary Attached Kindergarten, Unhyeon Elementary School, Unhyeon Kindergarten, Gyodong Elementary School, and Kyungwoon School have already closed temporarily, while Deoksung Girls' Middle and High Schools are currently operating shortened classes until 1 PM. From the 3rd, eight schools including Deoksung Girls' Middle and High Schools will be temporarily closed, and three schools including Jungang Middle and High Schools and Daedong Tax High School will have shortened classes. On the impeachment verdict day, the 4th, all 11 schools near the Constitutional Court will be closed. Additionally, Hannam Elementary School and Hannam Elementary Attached Kindergarten near the presidential residence will also be temporarily closed.

On the 4th, companies near the Constitutional Court will switch to remote work to reduce office attendance. Hyundai Construction and Hyundai Engineering, which have offices in the Constitutional Court area, announced on the 2nd that except for essential personnel such as building security staff, all employees should work from home.

The pro- and anti-impeachment rallies are intensifying. The pro-impeachment group led by the Yoon Seok-yeol Immediate Resignation and Social Reform Emergency Action began an overnight sit-in in front of Exit 6 of Anguk Station on the night of the 1st, while the anti-impeachment group led by the Liberty Unification Party is also holding an overnight sit-in in front of Exit 5 of Anguk Station.

A rally demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol is taking place near Anguk Station in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Near Exit 5 of Anguk Station on the 2nd, Mr. Kim (60), holding a 'Dismiss Impeachment' sign, said, "I have been urging opposition to impeachment since 7 AM," adding, "As soon as I heard the impeachment verdict date was set, I rushed here from Pohang and will stay around the Constitutional Court until Friday." Mr. Kim Soo-young (71) said, "I am 100% sure the impeachment of President Yoon will be dismissed, 99% sure it will be rejected, and 0% sure it will be accepted," adding, "I will oppose impeachment until the end and hope President Yoon returns quickly so that our country can respond swiftly to global issues such as U.S. tariffs."

On the other hand, Mr. Ryu Geon-hwan (59), who attended the pro-impeachment rally in front of Exit 6 of Anguk Station, said, "In these difficult times of national division, if we truly care for the people, the impeachment should be accepted," adding, "I believe that if the Constitutional Court accepts the impeachment and eradicates the forces of rebellion, our country will become a true democratic society."