A day before the Constitutional Court’s ruling on President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment, the police issued an “eulho” emergency alert in Seoul, the second-highest level of emergency. This alert is declared when there is a potential threat to public order due to large-scale protests or disasters and allows for the mobilization of up to 50% of available police forces. On April 4, the alert will be raised to “gapho,” the highest level, which permits 100% deployment of all police forces.
With pro- and anti-impeachment groups planning large-scale rallies expected to draw up to 150,000 people near Gwanghwamun, Anguk Station, and the Hannam-dong presidential residence, police are preparing for potential unrest or disruptions in central Seoul. The police said they would deploy all available officers to maintain public order.
As of 9 a.m. on April 3, police issued the Eulho emergency alert for Seoul and a “byeongho” emergency alert, which allows for 30% police mobilization, for regions outside the capital. A 150-meter radius surrounding the Constitutional Court has been sealed off with multiple layers of barricades and safety fences. Solo protesters and ongoing sit-ins outside the main gate of the Constitutional Court have been forcibly removed, creating what the police described as a “vacuum zone” around the court.
Sniffer dogs were deployed to scan for explosives, and the police installed three-meter-long barriers to block roads near Exit 6 of Anguk Station, Suyun Hall, and Jongno Fire Station. A total of 338 riot police units (20,280 officers) will be deployed across the country, with over 12,800 assigned to Seoul alone.
Pro-impeachment groups have reported a turnout of 120,000 people on April 4. The “BISANG Action for Yoon Out & Social Reform” group will hold a rally of 100,000 people from Dongsipjagak to Gyeongbokgung Station along Sajik-ro starting at 10 a.m., while the “Candlelight Action” group will gather 20,000 people near the Ilshin Building, close to the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, at the same time.
The Liberty Unification Party, which leads the anti-impeachment movement, plans to hold a rally of around 27,000 people near the Hannam-dong residence. Other anti-impeachment protests will take place near Anguk Station Exits 3 and 5, drawing an estimated 6,000 people. The “Presidential Public Defender Team” will hold a “Welcome Back President Yoon” rally at the War Memorial near the Yongsan presidential office.
To prevent clashes between opposing groups, the police have established a 200–300-meter-wide “buffer zone” separated by fences and barricades in Susong-dong, Gyeonji-dong, Gwanhun-dong, and Gyeongun-dong in Jongno District. Additional officers will be stationed at key locations, including the Constitutional Court, Gwanghwamun, the National Assembly, party offices, lawmakers’ offices, and diplomatic missions such as the U.S. Embassy.
Police said they would strictly respond to illegal activity. The National Office of Investigation under the Korean National Police Agency will deploy 1,237 officers to the Constitutional Court and surrounding areas. Those arrested on-site will be taken to one of 21 police stations in Seoul. Police have been authorized to use pepper spray and batons against violent protesters.
“We will investigate assaults on police and unauthorized break-ins at residences,” the police said. “We will also monitor and respond swiftly to incitement on social media and YouTube before and after the impeachment ruling.”
Anguk Station on Subway Line 3, where the Constitutional Court is located, will be closed from 4 p.m. on April 3 until 1 a.m. on April 5. Trains will pass through the station without stopping. Four of its six exits were sealed off earlier this week. On April 4, Exits 4 and 5 of Jongno 3-ga Station will also be closed.
Depending on the situation, trains may pass through up to 12 other stations near rally sites without stopping, including Jonggak Station (Line 1), City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2), Gwanghwamun and Yeouido Stations (Line 5), and Hangangjin and Itaewon Stations (Line 6). Eight extra subway trains will be added on Lines 2, 3, 5, and 6 to support transportation in central Seoul.
