SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - Police will implement its highest emergency alert level on the day of the Constitutional Court’s ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, deploying 337 riot police units and about 20,000 officers nationwide.
The court’s decision follows Yoon’s declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, a move that escalated political tensions across the country. While the exact date of the ruling has not yet been announced, legal experts predict the decision could be made within a week.
The emergency order mandates full police mobilization, suspending all leave and requiring officers to remain on duty. Riot police, mobile patrol units, and detectives will be stationed at the Constitutional Court, the National Assembly, courts, law enforcement agencies, major political party offices, and media headquarters.
Security measures are being intensified due to concerns over possible repeat incidents like the Jan. 19 riot at the Seoul Western District Court, where hundreds of Yoon’s supporters stormed the courthouse after a detention warrant was issued against him for insurrection. Protesters smashed windows, breached the building up to the judge’s chambers, and violently attacked police, journalists, and civilians.
Security will be particularly tight around the Constitutional Court, with riot police, safety barricades, and special protection units stationed to safeguard justices and court facilities. Specialized SWAT teams will also be deployed.
Seoul will be divided into eight security zones, designated as "special crime prevention areas," with 1,300 officers from mobile patrol units, 112 emergency response teams, and traffic police conducting widespread monitoring. Officers will be equipped with protective gear and crowd control devices, including capsaicin spray, in preparation for potential violent protests.
Additionally, a no-fly zone for drones will be enforced around the Constitutional Court. Unauthorized drone activity will be disrupted using signal jammers and interception devices, and violators will face prosecution.
All privately owned firearms stored at police stations—approximately 86,800 weapons—will be locked down from midnight before the ruling until three days after the verdict to prevent potential security threats.
Authorities are also working with local governments and emergency services to prevent safety incidents, including the deployment of ambulances and potential subway non-stop operations near key protest sites.
"We will take a zero-tolerance approach to illegal activities such as facility destruction and violence against police officers," said acting police chief Lee Ho-young. "We are preparing for every possible scenario to ensure public order and security. We ask for the public’s cooperation."
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