South Korea is preparing for a potential surge in violence following a landmark ruling by the Constitutional Court on Friday, which will determine whether to remove or reinstate impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol amid the country's most severe political crisis in decades.
In anticipation of widespread unrest, authorities have enforced stringent security measures around the court and throughout Seoul. A 150-metre stretch of a four-lane street directly in front of the court will be closed to both cars and pedestrians.
Several layers of police buses will be parked bumper to bumper along both sides of the road, their wheels securely chained. Furthermore, a 1.85 km radius around the court will become a no-fly zone, with measures in place to disable any drones attempting to enter the area.
The court’s eight justices are already under security protection, and the acting president has instructed the police to heighten their security protocols to ensure their safety.
The police have warned of zero tolerance for illegal actions linked to the court's decision, recalling the violent incident at another court in January when a mob rampaged following the approval of a detention warrant for Yoon.
Authorities also noted the violent aftermath of the 2017 ruling that ousted former President Park Geun-hye, where four of her supporters were killed and dozens, including police officers, were injured.
To manage potential disturbances, over 14,000 police officers will be deployed across Seoul, with permission to use pepper spray and batons if necessary.
South Korean police have ceased using tear gas and water cannons for crowd control, following previous fatalities during protests.
Several public spaces near the court will also be affected. Eleven schools and kindergartens within a 1 km radius of the court will be closed throughout the day, while national museums and three royal palaces, including the Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, will remain shut to the public.
These closures could extend if the situation worsens. Additionally, the US embassy in Seoul has announced the cancellation of routine consular operations, including visa interviews, and advised American citizens to avoid large gatherings and protests.
As tensions mount, authorities expect hundreds of thousands of people to participate in opposing rallies across the city and beyond.
Some main thoroughfares in central Seoul may be shut to traffic, further complicating movement throughout the capital.
The Anguk subway station, located near the court, will remain closed all day, and trains will not stop at the station.
