Tensions are rising as a police barricade is being constructed with police buses near the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 21st, and a riot squad is deployed. Ahead of President Yoon Seok-youl's attendance at the impeachment trial hearing at 2 p.m. that day, the police have ramped up security measures to prevent incidents similar to the disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court.
According to the police and the Seoul Traffic Information Center (TOPIS), as of that morning, police buses have created a barricade in 2 out of 4 lanes on Bukchon-ro, from Anguk Station on subway line 3 near the Constitutional Court to the intersection in front of Je-dong Elementary School. A barricade has also been set up from Anguk Station to Unhyeongung. There is a barricade in front of the southern wall of the Constitutional Court site, likely to prevent protesters from breaching the wall.
In addition, police buses are lined up in one lane in both directions along a 750-meter stretch from Dongsipjangak of Gyeongbokgung Palace to Jongno Fire Station. Consequently, this section is experiencing traffic congestion. As of 11:45 a.m., vehicles moving from Gyeongbokgung Intersection to Anguk-dong Intersection are traveling at a speed similar to a walking pace, about 4.5 km/h. Some city bus routes passing Anguk Station have been detouring since the morning. The speed of vehicles moving in the Bukchon-ro section between Je-dong Elementary School and Anguk Station has dropped to 3.4 km/h.
Currently, there are about 150 police officers deployed around the main gate and wall. The police plan to reinforce their presence with additional forces before and around the time President Yoon appears at the Constitutional Court at 2 p.m. during the rally of his supporters, which begins at 1 p.m. They are expected to deploy around 4,000 members from 64 riot squads. To prepare for potential violent incidents, they have reportedly also equipped capsaicin spray devices. A police bus is also stationed inside the Constitutional Court.
The Liberty Unification Party, a group supporting President Yoon, plans to hold a "national rally against impeachment" near exit 5 of Anguk Station starting at 1 p.m. They have reported to the police that about 3,000 people will attend. Supporters of President Yoon held one-person protests in the vicinity of the Constitutional Court in the morning, holding signs reading "Impeachment Invalid" and "Uncover the Fraudulent Election."
A group urging President Yoon's resignation did not report holding a rally near the Constitutional Court that day. However, the "Immediate Resignation of Yoon Seok-youl and Emergency Action for Social Reform" group held a news conference at 9 a.m. in front of the main gate of the Constitutional Court, announcing the start of a campaign titled "Citizen's Letter Calling for the Impeachment of Yoon Seok-youl." In response, supporters of President Yoon shouted, "Arrest Lee Jae-myung!"