Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Gov't goes all out to avert turmoil as Yoon's impeachment ruling looms
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks during a meeting with security-related ministers at Government Complex Seoul, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps
By Anna J. Park
Acting president stresses zero tolerance for illegal, violent acts
The government is working to prevent any political and social turmoil that may rise after the Constitutional Court's ruling set for Friday on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment over his Dec. 3 martial law declaration.
Its all-out efforts to prevent potential chaos are based on escalating tension between rival political parties as well as between citizens supporting or opposing the impeachment. There are growing concerns about potential violent acts committed by people who may refuse to accept the court decision if it is against their wishes.
"As public attention and tensions mount, political turmoil and social conflict continue. The government prioritizes public safety and order and will make every effort to maintain security before and after the Constitutional Court’s ruling," acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in a meeting of security-related ministers at Government Complex Seoul, Wednesday.
The acting president stressed that the government will not tolerate any illegal or violent acts.
"The police must strengthen security for the Constitutional Court justices and ensure the protection of key facilities, including the court itself and diplomatic offices. The government will not tolerate any illegal or violent actions," Han said.
"Acts that challenge public authority and threaten the community, such as property destruction, assault or arson, will be met with immediate arrests and a zero-tolerance policy," he added, underscoring the need to accept the court ruling in accordance with the principles of the rule of law.
Police maintain tight control around the Constitutional Court in Seoul, Wednesday, two days before the ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial. Yonhap
To prepare for any violent incidents on the day of the ruling, the government is bolstering its readiness, planning to mobilize all police and administrative resources possible.
A 100-meter radius around the court will be cleared on the day of the ruling to maintain order in the area. Police will deploy 210 units, with approximately 14,000 riot police stationed across Seoul, and intensive monitoring around major protest sites.
Han also specifically urged politicians to refrain from making statements that could incite or encourage illegal protests and violence in response to the ruling, as some members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) have made extreme remarks rallies since the martial law imposition.
"Now is the time to prioritize the stability and survival of our community over political interests. I urge everyone to act responsibly and contribute to social unity rather than fueling division and conflict," Han said.
"I strongly request you to refrain from making remarks that could instigate violent acts."
People Power Party interim leader Rep. Kwon Young-se, second from right, speaks during a policy seminar at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Despite Han's call, some PPP lawmakers are continuing protests to urge the court to dismiss Yoon's impeachment. The PPP and the DPK, while stressing the need to prevent national turmoil and uphold stability, continued criticizing each other, urging the other to accept the court decision.
Rep. Kwon Young-se, the interim leader of the PPP, urged both the public and the DPK to accept the court’s ruling, regardless of the outcome.
Kwon warned that any attempts to reject the court’s decision would be tantamount to inciting rebellion and undermining the constitutional order.
“The DPK must clearly state that they will accept the ruling. It is deeply regrettable and disappointing that they have yet to make such a commitment,” PPP floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong told reporters.
Democratic Party of Korea leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung, left, speaks during a meeting on livelihood and economic issues at the headquarters of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprises in Seoul, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps
Meanwhile, DPK leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung avoided explicitly committing to accepting the verdict. Instead, he said, "It is Yoon Suk Yeol who should accept the decision."
Lee expressed hope that the court would render a fair and responsible decision based on constitutional principles.
“The Constitutional Court is the highest and final guardian of the constitutional order. While the judiciary is often regarded as the last bastion of human rights and democracy, the Constitutional Court serves as the ultimate safeguard of the constitutional system,” Lee said.