South Korea on Edge: Unprecedented Court Ruling Looms

As South Korea braces for a possible impeachment ruling against President Yoon Suk Yeol, thousands of police are mobilized to maintain order amidst rising public unrest.

Authorities in South Korea are preparing for a massive turnout of demonstrators in central Seoul as the Constitutional Court approaches its ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Law enforcement has placed high-securitized barriers around the court, deploying over 14,000 officers to prevent unrest from escalating. Subway stations have been closed, and local businesses have been urged to shut down in anticipation of protests which are expected to begin at 10 a.m. KST on Friday.

President Yoon, who declared martial law in December—a move that sparked nationwide protests—will not be present for the court's decision, expected around 11 a.m. His brief detention on charges of insurrection led to public outcry and calls for his impeachment. Recent violence erupted following his March release when some supporters stormed a local court, raising fears of clashes with opposition factions demanding his ouster.

The police response has drawn comparisons to the protests surrounding the 2017 impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, during which security barriers were overwhelmed with deadly consequences. Interim leader Han Duck-soo has urged calm, acknowledging the importance of public order while advocating for respect towards the forthcoming judicial ruling. The political climate remains tense as citizens await a decision that could shift the balance of power in what has become a volatile period for South Korea.