Supreme Court of Korea to deliver impeachment verdict, as the country waits and the police are on high alert

[rpannier]

In about 2 hours the Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea will announce its verdict on whether to uphold President Yoon's impeachment.
Much of eastern Asia will be at a dead stop until the decision is rendered.
In Japan (where I work), almost the entire Ministries associated with Education, Finance, Internal Security, International Relations (my ministry), Military and a few others will all be watching the decision as it is rendered.
Many of the Ministries in China will also be watching. As will both countries national assemblies, and their leadership. North Korean, Vietnamese, and Taiwanese officials will watch as well.
South Korean Police have mobilized about 10% of the country's police force to surround the perimeter of the National Assembly, the Korean Supreme Court, the presidential residence, and the Gwanghwamun area (a common place to hold protests in Seoul).
Businesses in the area will mostly be closed. All schools in the area are also closed for the day (gives you an idea of how seriously concerned authorities are about violence -- Korea never closes schools unless it's serious -- I lived in Korea from 1999-2019. They seldom closed).
Subway stations in the area (like Anguk) will be closed. And subway lockers are sealed to prevent people from planting explosive devices.
There is a no-fly restriction around much of Seoul -- especially near the Court and Assembly. Drone jammers are being used by the police. Businesses, schools, and people who live in the area have cleared away flower pots, rocks, etc that could be used by angry people should the decision not go their way.
Universities have struggled to keep Yoon supporters who are not students at the school off their campuses. with EWHA being one of the most effected by right wing groups organized on youtube and ilbe.
Last January, Yoon supporters stormed a Seoul Courthouse.
The police have stepped up monitoring of people who own any kind of firearm; often used for hunting animals that have strayed into the downtown, the police are concerned that they may be used by disgruntled persons. Also, pellet guns are not unusual in Korea.
Yoon allies like far right pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon have been inflaming their followers with comments like, "If the Constitutional Court does something different, we will activate the people's right to resist and sweep them away with one sword."

The impact of the verdict will be interesting. If the impeachment is upheld, hopefully all 6 of the justices who were seated on the Court last December will vote to uphold it. This has been a source of contention (the addition of 2 more) by Yoon's supporters. If all 6 vote to uphold it, they lose that hill to stand upon.

It's 9:10 am as of posting in Japan and Korea

[senseandsensibility]

1. Very interesting

Thanks for posting.