March 26, 2025
SEOUL – Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Tuesday pledged to arrest anyone instigating violence as protests are erupting nationwide, amid the Constitutional Court’s continued delay in announcing suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment ruling.
This comes as concerns grow over unlawful acts or violence during rallies as Yoon’s impeachment ruling day approaches. Han urged people to peacefully respect the Constitutional Court’s verdict as “a legal judgment made through democratic procedures,” which “must becoming the starting point for our society to move beyond division and conflict.”
“Anyone committing vandalism, assault or arson while resisting law enforcement authorities; or those harming public safety and destroying social order, will be arrested at the scene, and stern actions will be taken,” Han said during a ministerial meeting to center on public safety issues at the Government Complex Seoul.
“As the court decision (over Yoon’s impeachment) draws to a close, people express various opinions in squares and on the streets. … I ask people to peacefully express their opinions within the boundary set by the Constitution and law.”
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon echoed Han’s zero-tolerance approach to violent protesters, saying, “Any gatherings or demonstrations that threaten the safety of citizens and disrupt public order cannot be tolerated.”
Oh unveiled plans to manage public safety at Seoul Metro stations near protest hubs, such as Anguk Station, City Hall Station, Gwanghwamun Station, Hangangjin Station and Yeouido Station, by deploying more workers to the scene and control room to handle high levels of pedestrian traffic.
On the day of Yoon’s impeachment ruling, Seoul is also considering controlling bus routes to circumvent protest hubs and close more subway stations in addition to Anguk Station on Line No. 3, near the Constitutional Court.