Vacuum Zone Around Constitutional Court Expanded to 150m
Vehicle Movement Blocked Around Anguk Station
Police Barricades Set Up at Every Major Intersection
On the 3rd, a day before the impeachment trial verdict of President Yoon Suk-yeol, the police raised the alert level significantly by expanding the 'vacuum zone' around the Constitutional Court near Jaedong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, from 100m to 150m. Some of the protest tents that had been installed for a long time were removed, and the restricted traffic zones were greatly expanded. Vehicle movement on both directions of the roads near Anguk Station on Subway Line 3, Suunhoe-gwan, and Hyundai Gyedong Building was blocked, and police buses were stationed at every street corner to prevent the movement of large crowds. Tensions around the Constitutional Court have reached their peak.
Police officers are controlling the movement of citizens at the crossroads heading toward the Constitutional Court on the 3rd. Photo by Park Seung-wook
Meanwhile, citizens met near the Constitutional Court expressed hopes that the country would return to normal following the court’s decision.
Citizen Yoon said, "It has been inconvenient during my commute, and I often thought that a dangerous situation might occur," but added, "Once the impeachment verdict is announced tomorrow, I hope everyone can regain stability as it is a moment the entire nation has been waiting for." Jeong In-hwa (70), a self-employed person near the Constitutional Court, said, "I hope our society can regain stability once the verdict is delivered tomorrow," and added, "Both the protesters, the police, and the self-employed near the court have had a hard time, but I think the political situation will stabilize quickly now."
Student Kim Kwang-hyun (17) also said, "Every time I attend classes at school, the sound of protests is loud enough to be heard in the classroom, which made me scared and worried, but I think things will get better from now on," and added, "I hope our society will improve once the trial results come out."
However, it is a stark reality that we cannot feel relieved or at ease. On March 10, 2017, the day of the impeachment trial verdict for former President Park Geun-hye, immediately after the Constitutional Court’s dismissal decision, anti-impeachment protesters hijacked police buses, resulting in four deaths.
Citizens are passing by the street near Exit 1 of Anguk Station where a police bus is parked. Photo by Seungwook Park
At 9 a.m. on the 3rd, the police declared the Eulho emergency in Seoul. Eulho emergency is the second-highest emergency duty system, allowing up to 50% of personnel to be mobilized when declared. Under this emergency duty system, police officers are discouraged from taking annual leave, and commanders and staff must maintain an emergency communication system. From midnight on the 4th, the day of the verdict, the higher-level Gapho emergency will be declared nationwide. When the highest-level emergency duty system, Gapho emergency, is declared, 100% of personnel can be mobilized. The police plan to deploy 337 riot squads and about 20,000 personnel nationwide to maintain order.
In Seoul alone, 210 units and about 14,000 riot police will be deployed. Park Hyun-soo, acting commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said, "We will mobilize all police personnel and equipment to ensure public safety on the day of the verdict," and added, "We will strictly respond with a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal acts and swiftly arrest offenders on site."
On the 2nd, two days before the verdict on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment case, members of progressive organizations continued their overnight protest demanding impeachment near the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. 2025.4.2. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong
Jeon Ji-yeon (27), who works at a cafe near Anguk Station, said, "No matter what the verdict is on the day, one side may react strongly, which worries me that it could lead to a dangerous situation," and added, "Of course, I believe the police will thoroughly control the situation, but I also think we need to be cautious for a few days afterward." Lee Chang-won (45), who visited near Anguk Station for a meeting, said, "I rarely come to Anguk Station, but seeing the police and protesters, it felt like a war had broken out."
The fervor of both pro- and anti-impeachment rallies is reaching its peak.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
