Police to boost security for presidential candidates

Police officers are deployed around the Constitutional Court in Seoul, Friday, ahead of the ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Joint Press Corp.

Police plan to establish a dedicated security team for presidential candidates and implement measures to protect them ahead of the upcoming early election following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday.

Park Hyun-soo, acting chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said at a regular press briefing on Monday, “The announcement of the selection of a security team dedicated to presidential candidates was made on Friday,” adding that the agency is working on security measures for the snap election.

Police will be deployed to locations where candidates hold campaign events once full-scale canvassing begins, he said.

Reportedly, there have been no security requests from presidential hopefuls regarding the upcoming presidential election.

The measure comes amid months of turmoil sparked by Yoon’s martial law bid, which has deepened the political divide and further polarized the country. In his martial law declaration, Yoon referred to the opposition-led assembly as “a den of criminals” and “anti-state forces,” while opposition party leaders retaliated by calling the president “an alcoholic” and “a ringleader of a rebellion.”

The security measures are also influenced by the backdrop of past incidents, such as the 2006 attack on former President Park Geun-hye, who was slashed on the cheek with a cutter knife during an event in Seoul for the then-mayor candidate for the city, Oh Se-hoon.

Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and a strong presidential contender, who was also attacked by a knife-wielding assailant last year, has been attending official events wearing a bulletproof vest after receiving death threats.

In addition, while Yoon is staying at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong and preparing to move out, the police plan to continue providing security at his private residence.

Although the Presidential Security Service (PSS) is responsible for security around the residence, the police will mobilize personnel to assist the PSS in maintaining security upon request.

Even after Yoon leaves the presidential residence, the police unit assigned to presidential security will continue its duties.

“There may be some changes in the form of security work, but the 202nd (Presidential Police Security Corps) will guard both the office and the outskirts of the official residence,” Park said. “The security work for the presidential office will continue."