Live from Constitutional Court: One day to President Yoon's impeachment ruling

Protestors both for and against President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment have been rallying near the Constitutional Court in downtown Seoul for weeks.

Let's turn now to our reporter Song Yoo-jin, who's been on the ground since early afternoon.

Yoo-jin, what's the atmosphere like there right now?

Jung-min, as I mentioned in our previous newscast, the atmosphere right outside the Court today is subdued compared to the intense demonstrations that took place here in recent weeks.

That's because authorities have implemented tight security measures ahead of tomorrow's ruling.

The area within a 150-meter radius of the Court has been designated as a so-called "vacuum zone," a controlled, locked-down zone for vehicles, with only pedestrians allowed within, to minimize disruption and threats to the court.

However, access to this 150-meter stretch leading directly to the Court's main gate, as you're seeing on the screen, is now limited to court staff and the press.

We're also seeing an increased police presence, with more vehicles arriving and barricades being set up around the perimeter.

Outside the restricted zone, near Anguk Station, thousands of pro and anti-impeachment demonstrators are continuing to gather in larger numbers.

Both sides will keep their demonstrations going throughout the evening in different parts of Seoul.

The demonstrations surely seem to be getting tense.

What more can you tell us about how authorities are responding?

Public safety has been top of the agenda ever since the Constitutional Court announced that it will deliver its verdict tomorrow.

In 2017, when the Court upheld former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment, four demonstrators died during clashes that broke out in response to the ruling.

This morning, police elevated the emergency alert level in Seoul to "eulho," the second-highest level in their three-tier emergency response system.

This allows for up to half of the available national police forces to be mobilized.

In a few hours, starting at midnight, that alert will be raised to the highest level, "gapho," which enables full nationwide police mobilization.

"We expect a large turnout on the day of the ruling and will do everything we can to manage the crowds and maintain public order.

We'll take a zero-tolerance approach to any serious illegal acts, such as violence or destruction of property.

We're also closely monitoring threats made online and will respond swiftly to any signs of potential terrorism or intimidation."

Tomorrow, 14-thousand riot police will be on duty across Seoul.

Anguk Station, which closed a few hours ago, will remain shut, and some schools, banks, museums, and businesses nearby will either shut down or switch to remote work for the day.

With an estimated 1-hundred-thousand protestors expected to take to the streets, the nation is on high alert, hoping to avoid any bloodshed.

Back to you, Jung-min.

That was our Song Yoo-jin live outside the Constitutional Court.