Seoul police to seal off Constitutional Court ahead of April 4 Yoon verdict

SEOUL - With the Constitutional Court’s announcement that it will deliver its verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment on April 4, police are set to disperse protests in front of the court and take a “vacuum state” approach to respond to any violence or challenges to public authority.

Large-scale rallies aside, many one-person protests have been held in front of the entrance to the court for more than three weeks, with some participants setting up tents for overnight protests in support of or in opposition to the impeachment.

The police were set to secure a 100m radius around the Constitutional Court on April 1.

The authorities reportedly announced that the initial 100m radius would now be expanded to 300m by creating barricades with police buses. They are also considering establishing another buffer zone near Gwanghwamun Square and Insa-dong – two areas south of the Constitutional Court – to separate pro- and anti-Yoon rallies before April 4, to prevent physical confrontations among demonstrators.

The police are seeking to implement such measures based on Articles 5 and 6 of the Act on the Performance of Duties by Police Officers, which allow police personnel to take action in a dangerous situation that is likely to inflict harm on the life or body of people.

Mobile police squads and investigators will be tasked with arresting protesters who break into the court building and with protecting the court justices.

The authorities have also prepared an anti-drone system, as areas near the Constitutional Court have been designated as part of a “no-fly” zone for drones since mid-March.

One gas station, four construction sites and the rooftops of 22 buildings near the Constitutional Court will be temporarily closed as well.

Considering the number of protesters – almost 210,000 – who gathered at areas near the National