Police have decided to designate the area around Jongno and Jung-gu in Seoul, where the Constitutional Court is located, as a special crime prevention reinforcement zone on the day of President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment ruling.
Although the Constitutional Court has not yet announced the ruling date, there are predictions that it may be issued in mid-month.
Park Hyun-soo, acting chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, noted during a press briefing on the 10th that the special crime prevention zone of Jongno and Jung-gu will be divided into eight areas, with eight police station heads (superintendents) deployed as 'area heads.'
The special crime prevention reinforcement zone designated during past G20, APEC, and ASEAN summits can be established by the chief of the Korean National Police Agency or the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency through an administrative order. The police will mobilize ▲ criminal mobile units ▲ mobile patrols ▲ community police ▲ dialogue police, among others, to maintain safety and order in each area and manage crowds.
Considering the possibility that roads in Jongno and Jung-gu could be filled with rally participants on the ruling day, ambulances and 112 patrol cars will be pre-positioned as much as possible. The police plan to collaborate with the fire department, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Seoul City, and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education for this purpose.
The issuance of the highest alert level, 'Level A,' in the police's emergency mobilization framework is also likely. If Level A is activated, police officers' annual leave will be suspended, and 100% of available personnel can be mobilized for emergency duty. Commanders and staff must be, in principle, in the office or at the scene related to the situation.
Acting Chief Park noted that they plan to maximize the available police forces and equipment, with more than 30 officers of superintendent rank or higher being deployed. These officers are reportedly training using pepper spray and 120 cm police batons. 'Transport units' will also be deployed throughout the area to arrest those committing violence or illegal acts and transport them to police stations.
Acting Chief Park mentioned that the deployment of the police special forces is also under consideration, stating that the special forces will not be tasked with suppressing rallies and protests, but with bomb detection, explosion threats, and rescue operations.
He also said that they are considering measures to block the access of agitated protesters to gas stations and construction sites, where major safety accidents could occur. Acting Chief Park noted, "There may be protest materials at the construction site, so we will search and inspect these areas to prevent items from being brought in (near the Constitutional Court)."
Acting Chief Park stated, "Within 100 meters of the Constitutional Court is a prohibited area for gatherings, so we will surround the area with vehicles to create a 'vacuum state.'"
He added that 60 reports of threats of violence against the Constitutional Court have been filed, and investigations are ongoing, with continuous monitoring of threatening messages. In addition, the police have completed investigations of 10 witnesses related to accusations of inciting insurrection against Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon and are currently conducting legal reviews. Jeon Han-gil, a history instructor, members of the People Power Party Yoon Sang-hyun and Seo Cheon-ho, former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, and former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn have also been accused of the same charges, and cases have been assigned to the Seoul Metropolitan Police's security investigation unit or witness investigations are in progress.