Seoul will implement an unprecedented security lockdown near the Constitutional Court on April 4, the day of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment ruling. Subway stations, gas stations, and construction sites in the area will be closed, and nearby schools will suspend classes. Police have announced that a 100-meter radius around the court will be sealed off with barricades, creating a “vacuum zone” with no exceptions, even for lawmakers. Major cultural sites, including palaces, museums, and galleries, will close, and businesses in the area are asking employees to work remotely.
Police on April 1 announced that Anguk Station on Seoul Metro Line 3, near the Constitutional Court, will be closed all day on April 4, with trains passing through without stopping. Four of its six exits were already blocked three days before the ruling. Seoul Metro, in coordination with police, may also skip stops at nearby stations like Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung, Jongno 3-ga, Jonggak, City Hall, and Hangangjin, depending on the situation.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has set up road restrictions starting at 1 p.m. on April 1, fully blocking Yulgok-ro near the Constitutional Court as part of a 24-hour emergency plan. If crowds grow, closures may extend to Sajik-ro and Sejong-daero.
The National Palace Museum and other cultural sites near the Constitutional Court will be closed on April 4, with 15 government officials assigned to protect these sites. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has ordered 11 nearby schools, including kindergartens, elementary, middle, high, and special education schools, to close as a safety measure against potential rallies.
To reduce disruption, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will deploy up to 1,350 crowd control staff in key areas like Gwanghwamun, Anguk Station, and Yeouido for three days before and after the ruling. The city has also asked mobile carriers to set up extra temporary base stations to avoid network congestion caused by large crowds.
A large police presence is planned for the impeachment ruling day, with 20,000 riot police from 338 units nationwide, including 14,000 officers in Seoul. The National Police Agency will issue a “Gapho” emergency at midnight, allowing full mobilization of police. On April 3, a “Eulho” emergency will be issued for Seoul and National Police, mobilizing 50% of forces, while regional police will be under a “Byeongho” emergency, with 30% mobilization.
The Korea Heritage Service’s Royal Palace and Tombs Center announced that access to Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Deoksugung palaces will be restricted on April 4 for safety and cultural preservation. Other closures may happen depending on the situation before and after the ruling. Changdeokgung, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is just 600 meters from the Constitutional Court, while Gyeongbokgung has been a key site for protests.
Several nearby museums and galleries, including the Seoul Museum of Craft Art, will be closed on April 4. Unhyeongung Royal Residence, located about 300 meters from the Constitutional Court, will also suspend visits that day.
Several companies near the Constitutional Court are adjusting their work plans. HD Hyundai’s finance and PR staff, located just 100 meters from the court, have been asked to work remotely or report to the company’s Pangyo office. Hyundai Oilbank, in the same building, has made similar arrangements. Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Hyundai Engineering are also considering remote work for all employees, with final decisions expected by April 2.
