On the morning of Nov. 4, the police are on duty in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The Constitutional Court justices are proceeding with the deliberation of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment trial starting today. /Courtesy of News1

Lee Ho-young, the acting chief of the Korean National Police Agency, revealed plans to mobilize police forces to prevent physical clashes on the day of the impeachment ruling of President Yoon Suk-yeol. The acting chief specifically noted that if a situation similar to the 'Seoul Western District Court riot' occurs on the day of the Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling, 'the use of truncheons or capsaicin will be permitted at the discretion of field commanders.'

During a regular briefing held at the Korean National Police Agency in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun District, on the 4th, the acting chief stated, 'We are establishing plans while keeping the worst-case scenario in mind given the limitations of police forces.'

◇Reviewing the issuance of ‘Level 1 Emergency’ among emergency duty status

The police plan to establish an emergency response system, including issuing an 'Emergency Level 1' order, which is the highest level of emergency duty status. This is issued in cases where the security situation is chaotic due to factors like the declaration of martial law, large-scale collective incidents, or terrorism. Annual leave for police personnel will be suspended, and up to 100% of available personnel can be mobilized for emergency duty. The order was previously issued in the area of Muan when the Jeju Air incident occurred at the end of December last year. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency had earlier proposed issuing a Level 1 Emergency order due to concerns about large-scale clashes on the day of the impeachment ruling.

The acting chief noted in this regard, 'A decision has yet to be made, but we are reviewing it positively, and if there are limitations in mobilizing personnel, we should issue a Level 1 Emergency order for total mobilization,' and added, 'If it escalates to a nationwide situation, we plan to take corresponding measures at the local police agencies.'

The acting chief stated plans to allow the use of truncheons or capsaicin depending on the situation. He said, 'We will mobilize police forces to prevent incidents similar to those in the past, and we will block physical clashes from both sides,' emphasizing, 'We must consider the possibility of self-immolation or physical clashes and violence at the Constitutional Court, and we will keep everything in mind.' He further remarked, 'We will prepare for contingencies, such as forming rapid response units or operating reserve units that access the Constitutional Court.'

Regarding the protective measures for individuals involved with the Constitutional Court and major public facilities, he stated, 'We have deployed a 24-hour mobile unit at the Constitutional Court and have stationed patrol cars at the homes of the justices,' adding, 'We have also increased security for the justices.'

On the afternoon of Oct. 18, during the warrant hearing for President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was arrested on charges of being a leader of a rebellion, young people who climbed over the court’s fence urging for President Yoon's release are caught by the police at the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of News1

◇137 investigated in relation to the Western District Court riot, 87 arrested... 'Investigating the instigators of the riot'

The police announced that they are investigating a total of 137 individuals in connection with the Western District Court riot. Among them, 87 have been arrested, and of those, 79 have been transferred for court proceedings. A police official noted, 'Eight additional individuals are scheduled to be transferred sequentially over the weekend.'

A police official stated regarding the suspicion that 'some forces instigated the Western District Court riot,' that they are 'conducting a thorough investigation into the behind-the-scenes forces through the analysis of posts from conservative community forums.' Regarding Jeon Kwang-hoon, the pastor of Sarang Jeil Church, who has been accused of inciting rebellion, he mentioned, 'We are continuing to investigate those related after completing the complainant's inquiry.' However, he indicated that no summons schedule for Pastor Jeon has been set.

The police also explained the progress of the investigation into Ahn (42), who attended a rally dressed as 'Captain America' from an American movie. Ahn was arrested on the 28th of last month and transferred for allegedly kicking and breaking the entrance glass of the Namdaemun Police Station on the 20th of last month and attempting to invade the Chinese Embassy in South Korea on the 14th of last month.

Ahn claimed to be a 'U.S. soldier' and 'U.N. soldier,' prompting the police to investigate this as well. Concerning a report by a media outlet about the arrest of '99 spies from the National Election Commission,' Ahn asserted that he was a source. A police official stated, 'We have received a report regarding the informant's claim, and an investigation is underway by the Cyber Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency,' adding, 'Ahn was found to have been discharged as a sergeant from the Army during the investigation process.'