Citizens and Tourists: "We Can Visit with Peace of Mind"
Self-Employed Business Owners: "Hopeful for Recovery in Sales"
Full Recovery Still Needs More Time
"I was worried it might be dangerous until the impeachment ruling was announced, but now I can come here with peace of mind."
On the morning of the 8th around 9:30 AM, the area near the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul was bustling with citizens. From people dressed in hiking gear heading to Bukaksan Mountain to foreign tourists wearing hanbok strolling the streets, it was a scene of everyday life returning. Cherry blossoms and plum blossoms were blooming throughout the streets, and visitors took photos with their groups or visited shops.
The movement of citizens around Anguk Station has become as free as before. Although police were stationed at the entrance to the Constitutional Court, they rarely restricted citizens' movements. Most of the police and police buses that had been deployed at every street corner were also withdrawn, replaced by citizens and tourists. Mr. Park (62) said, "Before the impeachment ruling, police buses were lined up along Gye-dong-gil, making it difficult to move around, but the inconvenience disappeared starting from the weekend." He added, "The atmosphere seems a bit brighter, and with no noise from rallies, I think things will return to how they were."
Citizens and tourists are walking along the street near the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 8th. Photo by Park Seung-wook
The police lifted the heightened alert at 6 PM on the 7th. The emergency duty system that had been maintained was ended. On the 4th at midnight, the police had declared a highest-level emergency alert nationwide in line with the impeachment ruling of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, which was lifted at 6 PM the same day, and a lower-level alert was applied in the Seoul area. From 6:40 PM on the 5th, even the lower-level alert was lifted.
Since the impeachment ruling of former President Yoon, the area around the Constitutional Court and Anguk Station has been coming back to life. Ms. Kim Hyun-joo (60), who was filming the street with a camera, said, "The impeachment ruling has come out, and the weather has improved, so I can enjoy sightseeing and taking photos." She added, "Although the wounds in the hearts of the people may not have fully healed yet, I think stability can be restored going forward." Mr. Lee Si-hyun (29), whom we met in front of Exit 2 of Anguk Station, said, "It's been a while since I visited, but I think it's okay to come comfortably from now on." He also said, "There are still police buses and police lines, so it feels a bit uneasy, but I think this is part of the process of restoring daily life."
Foreign tourists were also walking the streets with bright expressions. Ms. Stacy (24) from Russia said, "I knew from the news that there had been large rallies here, and I was worried because there were police, but now I can visit famous cafes and look at clothes, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and sightseeing with peace of mind." Ms. Nina (28), a Taiwanese tourist met in front of Exit 1 of Anguk Station, said, "Just last week, if I took a taxi, I had to get off far away because of the rallies and walk, but now I have no worries."
Citizens are walking along the street in front of Exit 2 of Anguk Station in Seoul on the 8th. Photo by Park Seung-wook
Self-employed business owners near the Constitutional Court also expressed expectations for the recovery of daily life. Ms. Go Song-hee (57), who sells snacks like egg bread and hot dogs in front of the Constitutional Court, said, "Now is the time for everyone to return to daily life." She added, "The number of foreign tourists has decreased a lot, but with the spring peak season and the political situation improving a bit, I expect sales to increase." Mr. Lee (in his 50s), who runs a snack shop near the Seoul Museum of Craft Art, said, "Normally, tourists would flood in starting this month." He added, "With cherry blossoms blooming and the weather getting better, and the bad situation over, I think business will improve now."
However, some responses indicated that time is still needed for full recovery of daily life. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency plans to continue controlling the area near the Constitutional Court for the time being. Deputy Chief Park Hyun-soo said, "It is still difficult to say that all threats have completely disappeared, and the Constitutional Court still feels uneasy." He added, "We will strive to balance the protection of the Constitutional Court, the business operations of nearby merchants, and the passage of citizens."
Mr. Park Chan-hyup (72), who works at a real estate agency in front of Jaedong Elementary School, said, "Police are still guarding the streets, and vehicle movement is partially restricted." He added, "Village buses going to Sungkyunkwan University or Jongno are all detouring, so residents still experience inconvenience." Mr. Park (28), who runs a Western-style restaurant in an alley opposite the Constitutional Court, said, "There were many days when we had to close, and many reservations were canceled, so we were just waiting for the impeachment ruling, but it's disappointing that we don't know when the police buses will be removed."
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