As the Constitutional Court is expected to soon rule on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol, schools in the vicinity are under alert. This is because large-scale gatherings are anticipated, and there is a possibility of physical clashes, with the police planning to declare the area a 'special crime prevention enhanced zone.' In connection with this, all schools near the Constitutional Court have decided to implement discretionary closures. However, employees working in the area are expected to report to work as usual.
On the 11th, it was confirmed that all eight elementary, middle, and high schools near the Constitutional Court in Jongno District, Seoul, plan to designate the day of the President's impeachment trial ruling as a discretionary closure day. A discretionary closure is a day when classes are not held at the discretion of the principal, meaning students are not required to attend. However, faculty and staff must report to work.
Gatherings are prohibited within 100 meters of the Constitutional Court. The gathering is expected to take place between Unhyeonggung and the Seoul Welfare Center for the Elderly, near Anguk Station on Seoul Subway Line 3. An official from Unhyeong Elementary School, located nearby, stated, "We are planning a discretionary closure according to the guidelines of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education." An official from Daedong Tax High School, approximately 400 meters straight from the court, also mentioned, "We plan to designate the day (of the ruling) as a discretionary closure day."
Before the ruling day of the impeachment trial, schools near the Constitutional Court may not be able to conduct regular classes. An official from Jaedong Elementary School, located about 50 meters from the court, expressed concerns for student safety, stating, "There is a possibility of designating the day after the ruling announcement as a discretionary closure day." Officials from Joongang High School, Joongang Middle School, and Duksung Middle School noted, "If the situation worsens the day before the ruling, we may implement shortened classes."
Meanwhile, companies with offices near the Constitutional Court said they are not considering a day off or telecommuting for employee safety on the ruling day. An official from Hyundai E&C, located about 120 meters from the court, said, "While there are recommendations to refrain from moving on that day, there are no guidelines related to reporting to work," adding, "I think we will probably work as usual." A representative from Hana Bank's Anguk-dong branch stated, "There are currently no plans regarding adjustments to business hours." Nearby museums and galleries are also reported to have no plans for separate days off or adjustments to operating hours.
The police declared that on the day of the ruling in the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol, they will designate the Jongno and Jung districts as special crime prevention enhanced zones to prepare for potential physical clashes between protesters and police, dividing the area into eight sectors for maintaining order and crowd safety. Within 100 meters of the Constitutional Court, plans are in place to construct a 'barrier' with police buses to control access from outsiders. Frontline police officers are also receiving training on the use of riot sticks and capsaicin.
Additionally, the police are said to be reviewing measures to prevent protesters from acquiring equipment that could be used for violent acts, including blocking access to construction sites and considering closing nearby gas stations to prevent the procurement of flammable substances.