There were no physical clashes or injuries despite the Constitutional Court's decision to remove former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Unlike the tumultuous situation that unfolded immediately after the ousting of former President Park Geun-hye eight years ago, a more subdued atmosphere was maintained.
The police lifted the 'vacuum state' surrounding the Constitutional Court around 1:30 p.m. on the 4th, when the ruling on the removal of former President Yoon was announced. The special crime prevention zones previously designated in the Jongno and Jung districts, divided into eight areas, were also fully lifted.
According to the police and fire authorities, there were two minor injuries in the Jongno area of Seoul that day. The individuals fell while walking and received on-site treatment. There were virtually zero injuries resulting from the gathering.
This situation was contrasted with the aftermath of former President Park Geun-hye's removal in 2017, when supporters were extremely agitated, leading to violent protests and chaos near the Constitutional Court. At that time, four citizens lost their lives.
This time was different. Police evaluations noted that their preparedness was effective. Earlier, the police had established a blockade within a 150-meter radius around the Constitutional Court starting on the 2nd to ensure safety. On the day of the ruling, a 'Level One Emergency' was declared nationwide, and all available personnel were mobilized to maintain a strict security presence.
To prevent clashes between supporters and opponents of impeachment, the police also erected walls over 4 meters high at exits 4 and 5 of Anguk Station (for the impeachment opposition rally) and exit 6 (for the impeachment support rally). Several adjacent alleyways were also tightly blocked with temporary fences, buses, and police forces to completely prevent people from passing through.
At around 11:30 a.m., shortly after the impeachment ruling, a supporter in their 20s, Namsung, broke a window of a police bus with a metal pipe near exit 5 of Anguk Station; however, the situation was resolved without major conflict. This individual was immediately apprehended by the police riot squad.
The 'acceptance of decision' message from the organizers of the anti-impeachment rally also played a role. Save Korea, which led the anti-impeachment rally, issued a statement after former President Yoon's removal ruling, saying, 'As a member of South Korea, we accept the Constitutional Court's decision today,' adding, 'There should never be violence under any circumstances.' Save Korea also canceled its planned rally in Yeouido, expecting 20,000 participants on the 5th.
However, the Korea Restoration National Movement Headquarters, led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, and the Liberty Unification Party plan to hold a rally in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, with approximately 200,000 participants, as previously announced on the afternoon of the 5th.