Police officers are stationed in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno District as South Korea braces for the anticipated impeachment ruling on President Yoon Suk-yeol, which could be announced as early as this week. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 11 (Korea Bizwire) — As the Constitutional Court prepares to deliver its ruling on President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment, South Korean authorities are implementing stringent security measures to prevent potential acts of violence, including restrictions on firearm access and airspace controls.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the National Police Agency is considering an order to temporarily ban the release of firearms used for wildlife control nationwide. The measure, expected to take effect the day before the ruling, aims to preemptively curb any attempts by extremist groups to use firearms for terrorist activities in response to the court’s decision.
Under South Korean law, licensed firearm owners may store their guns at local police stations and retrieve them for hunting or agricultural protection purposes. While hunting season runs from November through February, exemptions allow farmers to borrow firearms for a single day to protect crops from wild animals. Authorities fear such provisions could be exploited amid heightened political tensions.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is also exploring real-time GPS tracking of registered firearm owners on the day of the ruling. Additionally, officials are reviewing the recent issuance of firearm and bladed weapon permits, reassessing license holders’ intended use, and scrutinizing individuals possessing multiple weapons, including checking for mental health histories.
Police officers are stationed in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno District as South Korea braces for the anticipated impeachment ruling on President Yoon Suk-yeol, which could be announced as early as this week. (Yonhap)
Similar restrictions were imposed in 2017 ahead of the impeachment ruling against former President Park Geun-hye. As of last year, approximately 106,678 firearms were legally owned by individuals and entities with police authorization.
In another precautionary step, the police have requested that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport designate a 1.85-kilometer no-fly zone around the Constitutional Court from March 13 through the end of the month. Authorities plan to deploy signal jammers to intercept unauthorized drones and penalize their operators.
Meanwhile, intelligence reports suggest that a regional youth group, allegedly backed by a conservative organization, may be plotting an attack against Constitutional Court justices.
The National Police Agency is investigating claims that members of the group have been disguising themselves as delivery couriers to carry out a surprise assault. Law enforcement officials are currently verifying the credibility of these reports and coordinating with security forces in Seoul.
With tensions escalating, South Korean authorities remain on high alert, taking extensive measures to ensure public safety and the integrity of the judicial process.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
