Police to deploy 14,000 personnel in Seoul as court poised to rule on Yoon's impeachment
Police officers stand guard outside the Constitutional Court in Seoul, April 1. Yonhap
Police have decided to deploy some 14,000 personnel in Seoul, according to sources familiar with the matter Tuesday, as the Constitutional Court is poised to rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment case later this week.
The court said it will deliver its verdict on whether to dismiss or reinstate Yoon over his failed martial law bid on Friday. For months, political polarization has deepened between supporters and opponents of Yoon's impeachment over his failed martial law bid.
Currently, police were placed on "Gapho" alert, or the highest alert level for police, and puts all available police forces on emergency standby.
In addition, police will immediately arrest those who attempt to break into the Constitutional Court compound and beef up security service for all Constitutional Court justices.
Should Yoon decide to attend at the court for the verdict, police will take measures to secure the pathway from the presidential residence to the Constitutional Court, and separate the protesters calling for or against Yoon's impeachment on the way.
Yoon's legal representatives said a decision was yet to be made on whether Yoon will attend the court on Friday.
Shortly after the court's announcement of a date for Yoon's impeachment ruling, anti-Yoon protesters near Gwanghwamun Square, where they were holding an overnight sit-in, welcomed it and shouted "immediate ouster" of the suspended president.
Yoon Bok-nam, the president of Lawyers for a Democratic Society, also known as Minbyun, told reporters that the date for Yoon's impeachment ruling "came much too late, but it is still a relief."
However, pro-Yoon protesters near the Constitutional Court chanted "dismiss impeachment" while waving Korean and American flags. (Yonhap)