Lee Ho-young, the acting commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency, said on the 2nd that he would maintain a state of emergency until public safety is stabilized in relation to the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial on the 4th.
The acting commissioner held a video conference with police leadership across the country at the Korean National Police Agency on the 2nd and said, "We will mobilize all police resources to prevent this from escalating into serious social conflict."
He noted, "There is a possibility that some of the crowd gathered after the ruling could become agitated and cause intense and violent protests, increasing public anxiety and concern," and stated that a "Level A emergency" would be declared nationwide on the day of the ruling. When a Level A emergency is declared, police officers will be prohibited from taking leave, and 100% of available police resources can be mobilized for emergency duty.
The police will deploy more than 20,000 personnel from 338 rapid response units across the country through the Level A emergency. Among them, 210 units and more than 14,000 personnel will be concentrated in Seoul.
The acting commissioner said, "We will maintain a 'vacuum state' around the Constitutional Court and deploy sufficient police resources at major facilities to establish a foolproof protective posture." He added that measures will be taken to set up preemptive barriers between pro- and anti-impeachment groups and that police forces will be broadly deployed to respond swiftly to unexpected situations.
He further stated that as tensions and conflicts between pro- and anti-impeachment groups escalate, illegal and violent acts during rallies and protests, as well as threats to high-profile individuals, are anticipated. He emphasized, "Acts such as ▲destruction of property ▲threats to judges and others ▲assault on police officers will be regarded as a challenge to the rule of law, and we will respond decisively with the principle of arresting them in the act and initiating investigations."
The police will manage the Jongno and Junggu areas near the Constitutional Court as eight special crime prevention zones. In these areas, more than 1,500 members of response teams composed of rapid patrol units and local police will be actively engaged in crime prevention and other public safety activities. They will also collaborate with the Seoul city government and fire authorities to prevent safety accidents caused by crowd congestion.
The acting commissioner also stated, "We will swiftly investigate counterfeit news and rumors online that incite public anxiety and cause social chaos."
The meeting included leadership from the Korean National Police Agency, the public safety deputy chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and department heads of security and information, while police chiefs and police station heads from across the country attended via video.