Seoul police said security in Seoul has been tightened to “prevent potential conflict” following the Yoon impeachment verdict. South Korea’s police chief has said that the force is ready to use “all available means” to prevent possible unrest after a court rules on whether to uphold the impeachment of the country’s suspended president.
The Constitutional Court is expected to deliver its decision this month on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-Yeol for declaring martial law. Yoon’s brief suspension of civilian rule plunged democratic South Korea into political turmoil, and he was detained for a January coup. However, he was released on procedural grounds late last week.
Supporters of the suspended president have broken doors and windows at a Seoul district court after a Seoul judge extended Yoon’s detention, and officials have warned of violence over the impending verdict. “The clashes in and around the Constitutional Court must be stopped,” said Park Hyun-Seo, acting chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
“We plan to declare the area within 100 meters of the Constitutional Court a protest-free zone and deploy all available equipment, including barricades,” Park told a press conference. He said, “We must work to prevent conflict between opposing groups on the issue of impeachment and to protect the judges of the Constitutional Court.”
Park said police were providing additional training to their troops on how to fire tear gas and use batons, and that they were also considering deploying special police forces to respond to bomb threats. According to Park, discussions are underway with relevant agencies about closing nearby schools on the day of the verdict, and preparations are underway to close nearby construction sites and petrol pumps.
Police are concerned that ‘protest and demonstration materials could be stored’ at those sites. In addition to the impeachment verdict, Yoon will face a criminal trial for declaring martial law in December, making him the first sitting South Korean president to face trial in a criminal case.
Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung told reporters on Monday, “The prosecution will continue the case even if Yoon is unexpectedly released from custody.” “We will ensure strong efforts to continue the prosecution’s case,” Shim said.
