The police decided to declare a "Gaphos emergency" nationwide on the 4th, when the Constitutional Court's decision on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol will be announced. A Gaphos emergency allows for the mobilization of 100% of police force and is the highest level of emergency duty.
In response to the Gaphos emergency declaration, the police plan to mobilize a total of about 14,000 personnel, including approximately 10,000 from 210 mobile units, along with criminal investigation units and dialogue police. In particular, about 30 officers from the police special forces will also be deployed inside the Constitutional Court to prepare for potential terrorist or drone attacks. Furthermore, mobile units will be stationed at ▲ National Assembly ▲ Hannam-dong official residence ▲ Yongsan presidential office ▲ foreign embassies ▲ Prime Minister's residence ▲ major media outlets.
On the day before the Constitutional Court's impeachment judgment, the 3rd, the police declared an "Eulhos emergency" in Seoul. Accordingly, up to 50% of available personnel can be mobilized, and commanders and staff must, in principle, work from their designated positions. The use of vacation days by police officers is also suspended.
Previously, on March 10, 2017, the day the Constitutional Court delivered its impeachment decision against then-President Park Geun-hye, a Gaphos emergency was also declared. Nevertheless, 67 casualties occurred as supporters of former President Park charged towards the Constitutional Court in opposition to the impeachment decision. In particular, during the attempt to seize a police bus, a large speaker weighing 100 kg fell, resulting in the deaths of four protesters.