South Korea mobilizes large number of police for President's impeachment trial

The National Police Agency said on March 9 that it plans to mobilize 192 riot police units and 12,000 personnel to the capital Seoul on the day the Constitutional Court issues its impeachment ruling against President Yoon Suk-yeol, but is considering sending additional troops after Yoon Suk-yeol was released on March 8.

According to the Korean National Police Agency, with about 130,000 police officers nationwide, the country's police can mobilize 10% of its force to ensure security for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. However, with President Yoon Suk Yeol's release, the Korean police will have to adjust their current security operations on the day of the impeachment trial. Accordingly, the police force will not only have to increase security at the Hannam Residence where President Yoon Suk Yeol will return, but also have to come up with new plans in case he personally appears on the day of the verdict.

Police have planned to deploy 5,000 riot police from 88 divisions on the day before the ruling and 9,000 from 144 divisions on the day of the ruling to the area around the Constitutional Court and Gwanghwamun Square, where protesters for and against the impeachment are expected to gather “to create an inaccessible void.”

Police also plan to deploy about 40 units to the embassies of the United States, China, Japan, Russia, Britain and Canada, the residences of Constitutional Court judges, the Seoul Central District Court and the Western District Court, the headquarters of the People's Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea, major media outlets and the residence of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo - places where protesters could attack. The security operation includes the mobilization of about 30 commanders at the police chief level or higher and 620 pieces of equipment, including police buses and special vehicles.

In addition to security around the Constitutional Court, riot police from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will also be on standby with air guns and stun guns to prepare for possible extremist acts or crimes before and after the impeachment ruling.

Comparing it to the day of the impeachment trial of former President Park Geun-hye in 2027, a South Korean police chief said that with President Yoon Suk-yeol's recent release, it is difficult to predict what the atmosphere will be like for and against the impeachment protests. Therefore, it is likely that security plans will be further strengthened.

On March 10, 2017, the day of the impeachment trial of former President Park Geun Hye, when the Constitutional Court announced its decision to impeach her, protesters against the impeachment of the president climbed over police barricades and marched toward the Constitutional Court, even hijacking a police bus, killing four people.