Importance Score: 85 / 100 🟢
Continued from last post:
Traffic Disruptions and Public Gatherings
Significant traffic congestion and large crowds are anticipated in Seoul and other parts of South Korea as opposing rallies are expected. Authorities have indicated that several major roads in central Seoul might be closed to vehicular traffic.
Anguk subway station in Seoul, situated near the Constitutional Court, will be completely closed for the day, with trains bypassing this station.
Facility Closures
All educational institutions, including 11 schools and kindergartens within a 1km radius of the Constitutional Court in Seoul, will remain shut throughout Friday.
National museums located near the court and several royal palaces, popular tourist attractions such as Gyeongbokgung and the UNESCO World Heritage site Changdeokgung, will be inaccessible to the public on Friday, with potential extensions to the closure depending on circumstances.
People near Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul recently.
The U.S. Embassy in South Korea has announced the cancellation of routine consular services, such as visa appointments, for Friday. U.S. citizens have been advised to exercise vigilance in crowded areas and around rallies.
South Korea is on high alert, anticipating possible intense public reactions to the Constitutional Court’s forthcoming verdict on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The ruling will determine whether to uphold the impeachment and remove President Yoon from office or to reinstate the embattled leader.
Reuters provides a summary of the security measures implemented at and around the Constitutional Court in central Seoul, and throughout the capital, ahead of today’s pivotal decision.
Constitutional Court Security Measures
A 150-meter section of a four-lane road directly in front of the court will be closed off to both vehicles and pedestrians. Multiple lines of police buses will be deployed, parked closely on both sides of the street with their wheels secured for enhanced barricading.
As previously reported, a no-fly zone extending 1.85 km radius from the court will be enforced on Friday. Equipment designed to neutralize drones has been put in place.
The eight justices of the Constitutional Court are already under protective security detail. Acting President Han Duck-soo has instructed law enforcement to augment their protection further.
Law enforcement officers maintain watch at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Friday, preceding the impeachment ruling.
Police Deployment and Preparedness
Police have issued strong warnings indicating a zero-tolerance approach towards any unlawful activities connected to the court’s verdict. This heightened stance follows a violent outburst at another court after it authorized an arrest warrant for President Yoon on January 26.
Authorities also recall being unprepared for the scale of violent protests that followed the 2017 ruling which removed former President Park Geun-hye. During those events, four supporters of Park died, and numerous individuals, including police officers, sustained injuries.
Over 14,000 police personnel will be deployed throughout Seoul. They are authorized to utilize both pepper spray and batons if necessary. South Korean police have, in practice, ceased using tear gas and water cannons for crowd management after fatalities occurred in prior demonstrations.
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Leading up to the Constitutional Court’s decision today, scheduled to commence in less than thirty minutes, large gatherings of both supporters and opponents of Yoon Suk Yeol have materialized in Seoul.
Live broadcasts have captured scenes of President Yoon’s supporters congregating near the presidential residence. Many were seen waving South Korean and American flags as impassioned speeches resonated from loudspeakers, creating a festive atmosphere punctuated by music, horns, and collective singing.
Demonstrators opposing President Yoon, located near the Constitutional Court, were similarly observed holding banners and signs, accompanied by music and rallying speeches broadcast to the assembled crowd.
South Korea Constitutional Court Ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol Impeachment
Welcome to live updates on the South Korean Constitutional Court’s crucial ruling regarding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. This decision comes after a period of intense political unrest lasting several months.
The Seoul-based court is now tasked with determining whether to uphold President Yoon’s impeachment, leading to his removal, or to overturn it, thereby reinstating him. This critical juncture follows President Yoon’s controversial imposition of martial law in December, which precipitated the most severe political turbulence South Korea has experienced in recent decades.
President Yoon’s political destiny hangs in the balance after the court, contrary to forecasts of a rapid determination on his alleged dereliction of constitutional duty, engaged in extended deliberations for over five weeks under strict secrecy, amidst growing public agitation. Reuters reports that the court is set to announce its verdict at 11am local time (0200 GMT) on Friday, in a session broadcast nationwide.
Law enforcement is preparing for potential outbreaks of violence and has mobilized over 14,000 officers across the capital to maintain order.
Supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol (left in picture) assemble outside the presidential residence in Seoul this Friday, awaiting the Constitutional Court’s impeachment verdict.
President Yoon, aged 64, is not anticipated to be present at the court. Should he be removed from office, he would be recorded as the second South Korean president impeached by the court, following Park Geun-hye’s impeachment in 2017.
President Yoon’s suspension by legislators was triggered by his brief declaration of martial law on December 3rd, which resulted in the deployment of armed forces to the National Assembly. He also faces a separate criminal trial related to insurrection allegations.
Key Developments:
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Security Perimeter Established at Constitutional Court: A 100-meter exclusion zone has been implemented around the Constitutional Court to prevent public demonstrations. Security measures extend significantly beyond these physical barriers. A no-fly zone is in effect above the court, with police employing signal jamming technology to counter unauthorized drone activity. Gas stations in the vicinity of the court are ordered to close to avert potential arson, and access to rooftops of high-rise buildings has been restricted.
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Embassy Alerts to Citizens: Several diplomatic missions, including the embassies of the United States, France, Russia, and China, have issued advisories urging their citizens to avoid large gatherings in light of today’s impending verdict.
Supporters of Yoon Suk Yeol close to his residence in Seoul awaiting the Constitutional Court’s decision.
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Verdict Threshold: A minimum of six out of the eight Constitutional Court justices must vote in favor of impeaching President Yoon—thereby affirming the impeachment motion passed by the National Assembly in December. Should this threshold be met, President Yoon will be removed. Otherwise, he will be reinstated immediately, regaining full presidential authority. Impeachment would necessitate a presidential election within 60 days.
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President Yoon’s Defense: President Yoon has justified his December 3rd actions, interpreting his attempt to declare martial law as essential to suppress what he termed “anti-state forces.” He continues to maintain a dedicated base of ardent supporters who have held demonstrations for weeks leading up to today’s pivotal verdict. Tragically, at least two fervent supporters of President Yoon have died by self-immolation in protest against his impeachment.
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Public Opinion: A recent Gallup Korea survey indicated that 60% of respondents believe President Yoon should be removed from office.