Police have deployed around 7,000 personnel near the Constitutional Court and surrounding Jongno ward on Friday, as authorities sternly warned against any illegal activities with the court set to rule on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Police also dispatched some 2,000 personnel in Seoul's Hannam-dong, where the presidential residence is located, and around 1,300 officers in Yeouido, southern Seoul.
The Gapho alert, or the highest alert level for police, took effect earlier in the day, putting all police officials on emergency standby and commanders ready to give out orders.
Police plan to deploy some 20,000 personnel from 338 units nationwide, with around 14,000 of them placed in Seoul, particularly near Gwanghwamun and the presidential residence, to enhance security.
Police have surrounded the periphery of the Constitutional Court with police vehicles to prevent protesters from entering and dispatched special operation units near the courthouse.
All forms of protests were banned in the area, and the street in front of the Constitutional Court was off-limits to passersby, except for the police, court staff, or the press.
The police squads stationed near the court were equipped with expandable batons and capsaicin, a chili pepper extract, in case of emergency.
Security guards have been additionally arranged for the justices.
The Constitutional Court is scheduled to deliver its landmark ruling at 11 a.m. on whether to dismiss or reinstate Yoon over his short-lived imposition of martial law. (Yonhap)
