South Korea is on high alert as the country prepares for a court ruling that could remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. With the Constitutional Court expected to announce its impeachment verdict as early as next week, police ramped up security in central Seoul on Friday to prevent potential unrest.
Barbed wire now lines the perimeter of the Constitutional Court, and police buses have formed barricades around the area. Authorities are bracing for mass protests, both for and against the president, in a nation where political demonstrations have often turned intense.
The exact date of the ruling remains unconfirmed. The case marks a pivotal moment in South Korean politics, with the outcome set to determine whether Yoon completes his term or is forced from office.
To minimize disruption, officials have declared a no-fly zone over the court. On the day of the ruling, nearby schools will be closed and local businesses have been advised to allow employees to work remotely.
The heightened security follows the January 19 riot, when Yoon’s supporters stormed the Seoul Western District Court in protest of his formal arrest. The attack left several police officers and journalists injured as protesters broke windows, vandalized the courthouse, and attempted to set it on fire.
mjh@heraldcorp.com
