"I had a dinner appointment near the Constitutional Court on the 4th, but I canceled it. It just so happened that the verdict on President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment was to be announced that day. You never know what might happen."
These were the words of Kim Mo (53), an office worker met in Jongno on the 2nd. In a situation where opinions for and against President Yoon's impeachment are strongly divided, he believes that chaos could erupt around the Constitutional Court once the verdict is announced. On March 10, 2017, the day the impeachment ruling against then-President Park Geun-hye was announced, four people died and over 60 were injured during protests.
Another office worker, Choi Mo (29), said he canceled plans to meet friends in Gwanghwamun on the evening of the 4th. Gwanghwamun is located 1.3 km from the Constitutional Court and it takes about 30 minutes to walk there. Choi said, "We discussed among friends that it might be better not to go out in Gwanghwamun if the Constitutional Court announces the impeachment ruling."
Yang Hyun-ja (65), who lives in Mokdong, said she canceled a health checkup scheduled for the 4th at Seoul National University Hospital. She noted, "Since the hospital is not far from the Constitutional Court, the effects of the protests would be felt. There is no need to take risks just for a health check, so I decided it would be better not to go." The hospital is located 1.1 km from the Constitutional Court.
Among public servants, there are those who have canceled all appointments around the 4th. A public servant working at the National Assembly said, "There is a consensus within the organization that it is better to eliminate the possibility of being caught up in any controversy given the impeachment ruling. There is a mood to avoid appointments that are not absolutely necessary for work." A police officer noted, "I had appointments set with seniors and juniors on the 3rd and 5th, but I canceled them all," adding, "I have to be on emergency duty on the 4th, and other seniors and juniors are saying, 'Since the situation is chaotic, let's meet another time.'"
Meanwhile, there are also cases of changing appointment locations on the 4th. Jang Mo (35), who works in the consulting industry, said, "I was supposed to meet an important client at 11 a.m. on the 4th near the Constitutional Court, but I was worried that the client might cancel the appointment." Fortunately, the client suggested changing the location to Gangnam, saying, 'I don't even want to look at the protest area.'
There are also rescheduled appointments. Namgung Mo (33), an office worker, said he received an invitation to a gathering to deliver wedding invitations being held in Gwanghwamun on the 4th. He stated, "After the ruling schedule was announced at the Constitutional Court yesterday, discussions exploded in the group chat, such as 'Will it be okay that day?' and 'Returning home after the meeting might be a problem.'" Eventually, he said, "The engaged couple was concerned and decided to cancel their reservation at the barbecue restaurant and reschedule for another date."