On the 3rd, a day before the ruling on President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment, supporters and opponents of the impeachment are gathering near the Constitutional Court. They are expected to hold an overnight sit-in outside the so-called "vacuum zone" set up by the police using barricades.
◇Police create barricades with buses around the Constitutional Court, completing the 'vacuum state'
According to the police and the Seoul city government, the section of Yulgok-ro from Anguk-dong intersection to Changdeokgung intersection, which is close to the Constitutional Court, has been fully controlled in both directions since midnight on this day. It is expected that the control will be lifted at 11:30 p.m. on the 4th.
The four-lane road in front of the Constitutional Court, Bukchon-ro, has been under control in both directions since 1:45 p.m. on the 1st, from Anguk Station to Jaedong Elementary School. The section from Samil-daero near Exit 5 of Anguk Station, where an anti-impeachment rally is held, is also fully controlled in both directions.
The police completed the 'vacuum state' on the previous day by surrounding an area located 150 meters from the Constitutional Court with barricades starting at 2 p.m. Over 200 vehicles, including about 160 police buses and about 20 trucks, were deployed. Pedestrian access in front of the Constitutional Court was completely restricted, except for court officials and reporters, and all tents used for the anti-impeachment sit-in in front of the Constitutional Court were removed. A buffer zone was also established to prevent clashes between participants in the pro and anti-impeachment rallies.
The police issued an ‘Eul-ho emergency’ alert at 9 a.m. on this day, the second highest level of emergency duties in Seoul. About 7,000 personnel from 110 mobile teams were deployed in the city center. Starting from midnight on the 4th, the highest level emergency duty, ‘Gap-ho emergency,’ will be declared nationwide, allowing for mobilization of 100% of police force.
On the 4th, the police will mobilize about 14,000 personnel from 210 mobile teams nationwide, along with criminal investigation teams and dialogue police. About 30 members of the police special forces will also be deployed to prepare for potential terror or drone attacks. Mobile teams will be stationed at the National Assembly in Yeouido, the Presidential Residence in Hannam-dong, the Presidential Office in Yongsan, the Prime Minister's Office in Samcheong-dong, and foreign embassies.
◇Proponents of Yoon's impeachment submit petition to the Constitutional Court calling for '8-0 ousting'
The pro-impeachment rally is taking place north of Gwanghwamun Square and near Exit 6 of Anguk Station.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held an emergency delegate meeting and expanded executive meeting on the roadway from Gyeongbokgung Seosipjagak to Gwanghwamun Woldae, covering a distance of about 200 meters around 2 p.m. The union members shouted, “Let’s bring Yoon Suk-yeol to an end with a general strike and all-out struggle.”
Chairperson Yang Kyung-soo took the stage and said, “If the Constitutional Court makes a ruling against the will of the sovereign, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions must immediately take to the streets, risking its organizational fate,” and added, “Stop the factories, turn off the computers, put down the pens, and everything must stop. Run to the streets and fight together.” The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions will continue the overnight sit-in until the ruling on President Yoon's impeachment is announced at 11 a.m. on the 4th.
The 'Emergency Action for the Immediate Resignation of Yoon Suk-yeol and Social Reform' submitted a petition with contents calling for '8-0 unanimous ousting' and 1 million signatures to the Constitutional Court around 11 a.m. on this day. Emergency Action, along with eight other opposition parties including the Democratic Party of Korea, the Justice Party, and the Basic Income Party, launched a '72-hour, 1 million online emergency petition campaign' to gather signatures from citizens.
Emergency Action will hold a '8-0 ousting urging rally' in front of Exit 6 of Anguk Station around 7 p.m. on this day. They plan to march from Dongseungjagak in Gyeongbokgung to Sejong-daero, Jonggak Station, and the Anguk-dong intersection toward the Constitutional Court. After that, they will conduct an overnight sit-in in front of Anguk Station.
Additionally, the 'Candlelight Action' will hold a rally demanding the ousting of President Yoon in front of the Presidential Residence in Hannam-dong, occupying two lanes of Hannam-daero starting from 10 p.m. on this day. The police reported that 20,000 participants are expected.
◇Participants in the anti-impeachment rally are also continuing the overnight sit-in today
The Liberty Unification Party, opposing President Yoon's impeachment, began their rally near Exit 5 of Anguk Station around 1 p.m. On that day around 2 p.m., about 700 people gathered for the rally. They held signs stating ‘clear evidence of election fraud,’ ‘dismiss the impeachment for fraud,’ and ‘the impeachment must be annulled for conscience and law,’ shouting for ‘the return of President Yoon Suk-yeol.’
A red tent set up in the name of the ‘anti-impeachment outside party committee of the People Power Party’ was also present at the site. A flag with President Yoon's photo was also hung there. Inside, lawmakers Na Kyung-won and Yoon Jae-ok were seated. An anti-impeachment rally was also held in front of the Hyundai E&C building in Gye-dong.
About 50 opponents of President Yoon's impeachment held an overnight sit-in near Exit 5 of Anguk Station the previous day. The overnight sit-in is expected to continue today. Additionally, rallies will be held near the Presidential Residence in Hannam-dong from 2 p.m. and in front of the Donghwa Duty-Free Shop from 8 p.m.
Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon from the Sarang First Church is at the center of the ‘Korea Corrective Movement Headquarters’ (Daegukbon), which plans to hold a rally in front of the Donghwa Duty-Free Shop around 10 a.m. on the 4th. Supporters of President Yoon will hold a rally near the Presidential Office in Yongsan at 10 a.m.