News

Police seal off 100-meter radius around Constitutional Court, restricting public access

2025/04/02 10:00

And the police are taking extra security precautions to reduce potential friction and violence on the ruling day. Some areas around the court will be cordoned off while schools near the court will be shut down. Choi Soo-hyung reports. Following the impeachment ruling for President Yoon set for Friday, April 4th, the police have sealed off a 100-meter radius around the Constitutional Court. As of 1 PM Tuesday, police banned all gatherings and traffic within a 100-meter radius of the Constitutional Court. Police vehicles formed barricades on nearby roads, including in front of the court and at the Jaedong Elementary School intersection. Pedestrian paths have been blocked, restricting public access. and vehicle traffic on Bukchon-ro outside the court has also been banned. For safety reasons, Anguk Station on line number 3 has closed all exits except for exits 5 and 6. Seoul Metro has announced the station would be fully closed on Friday, the day of the ruling. Police have tightened security, closely monitoring nearby gatherings to prevent potential clashes. On the day of the ruling the highest-level emergency response from the police, "Gabho Emergency," will be issued, allowing full deployment of police forces. Around 20-thousand police personnel from across the country will be mobilized, with 14-thousand deployed to Seoul. The level of personal protection for Constitutional Court judges will also be strengthened. Currently, the police are providing dedicated protection for all Constitutional Court judges including protecting their homes. Meanwhile, on Friday, the day of the ruling, nearby palaces and schools will be closed. The Korea Heritage Service announced that Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Deoksugung palaces will be closed. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education stated that at least 13 schools near the court and the presidential residence in Yongsan will also be temporarily closed as a precaution. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

S. Korea's consumer prices in March rise by 2.1% year-on-year

2025/04/02 10:00

Consumer prices in South Korea in March saw an increase in the two-percent range for the third consecutive month. According to inflation data from Statistics Korea, consumer prices in March increased by 2-point-1 percent year-on-year. Notably, marine products went up by four-point-nine percent and processed foods went up by three-point-six percent. Recent consumer price data shows a steady rise in the low two-percent range over the past three months, slightly higher than September to December last year when inflation was in the one-percent range.

Top U.S. general nominee calls N. Korea 'immediate security challenge'

2025/04/02 10:00

The nominee for U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman John Caine criticized North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, while calling for trilateral security cooperation among Washington, Seoul and Tokyo. Lee Seung-jae has more. During a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, top U.S. general nominee John Caine called North Korea's nuclear and missile programs an "immediate security challenge." The retired Air Force Lieutenant General, who has been chosen by U.S. President Donald Trump to be the next chief of U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, raised the concerns in a written statement submitted in advance to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Caine said if confirmed, he would assess the U.S. military presence in South Korea and Japan, and make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. President. The nominee also stressed that North Korea's nuclear, missile, and cyber capabilities continue to threaten not just the U.S. but its allies "on a global scale." Caine also expressed support for trilateral security cooperation between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. He vowed to continue advocating the use of the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework as a blueprint for military cooperation if confirmed. The framework was signed by the defense chiefs of Seoul, Washington and Tokyo last July, which was seen as a move to formalize their trilateral security cooperation. The top U.S. general nominee also raised concerns that North Korea's cooperation with Russia may provide an opportunity for Pyongyang to improve its missile capabilities. He says the regime had provided ballistic missiles to Russia that were used against Ukraine, marking the first time North Korean missile systems have been used in actual combat. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

What President Yoon's impeachment ruling will look like this Friday

2025/04/02 10:00

The ruling date has finally been set for President Yoon's impeachment trial: Friday at 11 AM. The Constitutional Court will rule on the validity of the impeachment over Yoon's martial law declaration. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young lays out what to expect on the ruling day. President Yoon Suk Yeol's removal or return to power, will take effect the moment his fate is stated aloud by the Constitutional Court bench on Friday. Set to be broadcast live at 11 AM, the nation will be reading the lips of Justice Cheong Hyung-sik who, as the presiding judge on the case, will deliver the decision by the eight-member bench. The ruling will come 111 days after the National Assembly's impeachment vote last December, following the President's martial law order. The bench's deliberation is the longest-ever for a presidential case, as the ruling will be delivered 38 days after Yoon's final trial hearing in February. While sources say the justices reached an understanding on the verdict, and scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, most likely to discuss procedural matters, the bench is expected to sign off their decision at the very last minute, to maintain utmost confidentiality. In the case of former President Park Geun-hye in 2017, justices arrived early in the morning of the ruling to confirm their decision. If the same procedure is followed, the lead justice for the case, Cheong Hyung-sik, will present his opinion first, followed by other justices in reverse order of their appointments to the Court. Once they establish a consensus, the bench will conduct a final review of the written judgment, collect signatures, and seal the ruling. When entering the courtroom to deliver their decision, the justices will take their seats in order of seniority, with Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae at the center to declare a start to the proceedings. Typically,.. if there has been a unanimous decision, the lead justice explains the rationale for the ruling first, followed by the main decision. If there are dissenting or various concurring opinions, the main decision is usually read first, followed by explanations from individual justices representing differing views. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment trial was also concluded with the bench first declaring the case dismissed, before revealing various opinions. However, as the order of delivery is at the Court's discretion, the style of the proceedings could vary. If the Court upholds the impeachment, with the consent of at least six justices, President Yoon will be removed from office. If the case is dismissed or rejected on procedural grounds by three or more members of the bench, he will return to his duties. While previous presidents did not attend their ruling session, President Yoon may choose to show up in the courtroom, as he has done for his hearings throughout the trial. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Welcome spring rain from this afternoon, stuffy air in west

2025/04/02 10:00

The dry weather continues across much of the country, with fire danger still high due to gusty winds. But today, we have some much-needed spring rain on the way! Rain will start around midday in the Seoul area, spreading to the rest of the country, possibly reaching Gyeongsang-do Provinces tonight. It won't be a lot of rain just about 5 to 10 millimeters, so fire safety is still key! The western regions may feel stuffy today, as ultrafine dust levels remain high. Keep a face mask handy. Skies will start off clear but turn cloudy as the day goes on. Afternoon highs will be slightly lower today at 15 degrees Celsius in the capital; Daejeon and Daegu will see highs of 18 degrees this afternoon. Today's rain may linger in Gangwon-do's eastern region until tomorrow morning. This Saturday marks Arbor Day and another round of nationwide rain is expected, so keep that in mind for any outdoor plans! Meanwhile, expect big temperature swings between morning and afternoon and dress accordingly!

A rare crimson red diamond unveiled at Smithsonian Natural History Museum

2025/04/02 10:00

Finally, on Tuesday local time, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in the U.S. unveiled the Winston Red Diamond, a 2.33-carat gem recognized as one of the world's largest Fancy Red diamonds. Donated by Ronald Winston, son of renowned jeweler Harry Winston, the rare diamond is now on public display in the museum's Harry Winston Gallery alongside 40 other colorful diamonds. Fancy red diamonds are exceptionally rare, with researchers estimating their occurrence is fewer than one in 25 million diamonds. The deep crimson hue results from unique alterations in its crystal structure under extreme pressure and temperature conditions.

Massive layoffs begin at top US health agency

2025/04/02 10:00

In the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services initiated significant layoffs on Tuesday local time, affecting approximately 10,000 employees. This affected workers across various agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health. The action is part of a broader restructuring plan led by Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., aiming to consolidate 28 divisions into 15, to potentially save taxpayers 1.3 billion U.S. dollars annually. Despite concerns about the nation's capacity to manage health emergencies, Kennedy said the reorganization will enhance efficiency within the department.

Ukraine says it will work with U.S. towards mutually acceptable minerals deal

2025/04/02 10:00

Ukraine has announced it plans to work with the United States to develop a mutually acceptable minerals agreement, aiming to bolster economic ties and support Ukraine's reconstruction efforts. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated on Tuesday local time that Kyiv is working with the U.S. to refine a minerals deal that would see more American business involvement in Ukraine and contribute to the nation's security infrastructure. The latest U.S. proposal suggests that Ukraine allocate all profits from a fund controlling its resources to repay American wartime aid with interest. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed caution, emphasizing the need for a thorough review before proceeding. Meanwhile, Germany's Foreign Minister said, during a visit to Kyiv on Tuesday, that any minerals agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. must comply with European Union legislation.

Putin meets Chinese FM Wang Yi, says he expects to see Xi Jinping in Moscow in May

2025/04/02 10:00

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has visited Moscow, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and foreign affairs minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss bilateral relations and international issues. During his three-day visit, Wang Yi stated on Tuesday, local time, that both nations are "friends forever, never enemies," emphasizing the enduring friendship between China and Russia. President Putin underscored the high level of Russia-China relations, calling for the consistent enhancement of strategic cooperation. Wang also expressed China's readiness to play a "constructive role" in resolving the Ukraine conflict. It was also confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping would visit Moscow for the Victory Parade in May, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.

S. Koreans head to polls in local by-elections

2025/04/02 10:00

South Koreans began heading to the polls for Wednesday's local by-elections. Voting kicked off at 6 AM, and will close at 8 PM. Up for grabs, are 23 seats, including Busan's superintendent of education, the head of Seoul's Guro District Office, as well as mayors for Asan, Gimcheon in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Geoje in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. According to the National Election Commission, early turnout on March 28th and 29th came to seven-point-nine-four percent. Pundits say the by-elections are unlikely to serve as a reliable barometer of voter sentiment ahead of the upcoming impeachment verdict for President Yoon Suk Yeol.

President Yoon's impeachment verdict to be delivered live Friday 11 AM: Constitutional Court

2025/04/01 20:00

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. The date has been set for the president. The Constitutional Court says its verdict on whether to reinstate or remove him will be delivered on Friday, 11 AM. This comes more than three months since the leader was removed by the National Assembly. Our correspondent Oh Soo-young starts our coverage. President Yoon Suk Yeol will face his fate on Friday, as the Constitutional Court's decision on his impeachment is revealed via a live broadcast. The Court notified the press on Tuesday that the eight-member bench will deliver its ruling at 11 AM on April 4th. The verdict will come 111 days after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon, following his declaration of martial law on December 3rd last year. His case has marked the Court's longest-ever deliberation on a presidential case, compared to Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye's, which took at most two weeks. The prolonged timeline has sparked speculation about what is happening behind closed doors, with legal analysts divided over what the verdict could be. Removing a president requires at least six justices to uphold the National Assembly's impeachment. If three or more dissent, President Yoon returns to power. Some believe the justices have been working towards a unanimous decision, with foolproof reasoning to minimize societal backlash. Others suggest the court has been struggling to reach a consensus, as justices may be split ideologically. A recent impeachment case involving Korea Communications Commission Chair Lee Jin-sook ended in a four-to-four deadlock, in line with the justices' political orientations. According to legal circles, the bench expected to reach their final decision either the evening before or on the morning of the ruling day, to maintain utmost confidentiality. If the decision is unanimous, the presiding justice typically reads a summary of the reasoning first, followed by their final written judgment. The ruling will inevitably have major political consequences, as an impeachment would trigger an early presidential election within 60 days. If Yoon is removed from office, the opposition's Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is seen as the frontrunner for a snap election, far ahead of the conservative candidates. Thus, conservatives and Yoon's supporters continue to push for his impeachment to be dismissed or for the case itself to be scrapped. In the meantime, a presidential official told reporters that Yoon's office is "calmly awaiting" the Court's decision. As the Constitutional Court prepares to deliver a historic ruling, it faces the formidable challenge of issuing a decision that can command legitimacy in a nation deeply divided along political lines. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

[Weather] Spring rain tomorrow nationwide with ultra-fine dust

2025/04/01 20:00

Even though it felt chilly this morning, it turned warm during the day today, causing large gaps between the daily highs and lows. Tomorrow morning will start at 5 degrees Celsius in Seoul, and will rise to 16 degrees during the day. Please dress in layers to avoid catching a cold. As the temperatures get warmer, dusty air has also returned. Fine dust is building up due to the influx of dust from overseas overnight. Ultra-fine dust will cover the skies in the Seoul metropolitan area and Chungcheongnam-do Province tomorrow. Tomorrow, Chuncheon will start off at 1 degree, and Gwangju at 5 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 18 degrees in Daejeon, Gwangju, and Daegu, 16 degrees in Jeju. Starting with the Seoul metropolitan area tomorrow afternoon, spring rain is forecast across the country. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

SpaceX's Fram2 mission launches civilian crew into first flight around Earth's poles

2025/04/01 20:00

Elon Musk's SpaceX has launched four private astronauts into space on a mission to orbit Earth from pole to pole, something that's never been done before. The Fram2 mission led by Chun Wang, a Chinese-born Maltese crypto billionaire, lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday local time. The crew will orbit for 3 to 5 days, conducting over 20 experiments on how space affects the human body. The members also plan to take the first X-ray in space and grow mushrooms in microgravity.

S. Korea’s foreign minister to attend NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Belgium

2025/04/01 20:00

South Korea's top diplomat will be heading to Belgium to attend the NATO foreign ministers' meeting this week, in what will mark the fourth straight year that a Korean official is attending the multilateral gathering. Foreign minister Cho Tae-yul is scheduled to take part in the session on NATO allies and Indo-Pacific partners where he will likely seek ways to boost security cooperation with Europe. He is also set to attend a trilateral meeting with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts, held on the sidelines. They expected to address security issues related to North Korea, as well as ways to strengthen economic cooperation amid reciprocal tariff threats from the Trump administration.

Trump teases new talks with Kim Jong-un, calls him "very smart" amid ongoing communication

2025/04/01 20:00

Moving on. U.S. President Donald Trump claims there has been contact with North Korea's Kim Jong-un in recent times amid complicated geopolitics. Kim Jung-sil has more. Could there be a part two in the Trump-Kim bromance? At the White House on Monday local time, President Trump said his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has come a long way since their rocky start. "I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong-un. Now, you people hate to hear that, but it's very important. It started off very rough, very nasty. Little Rocket Man. The whole thing was a nasty deal. And then one day we got a call that they'd like to meet. We met." Trump confirmed that the U.S. is communicating with the regime and hinted at future action, though he didn't specify what that might look like. "There is communication. Yeah. I think it's very important. You know, it is a big nuclear nation. And he's a very smart guy. But I have a very good relationship with him. Yeah, I will probably do something at some point." Experts question whether this renewed approach can lead to a breakthrough, especially as North Korea's nuclear capabilities have advanced since their 2019 summit. "President Trump is focusing on key issues where he can achieve tangible foreign policy successes during his short term, and North Korea is likely one of the areas he sees as crucial." While diplomatic efforts may continue, Dr. Hong points out that North Korea's nuclear advances remain a significant barrier to progressing talks. Analysts suggest the U.S. is adjusting its strategy accordingly. "Trump's second term signals a shift toward arms control with North Korea, moving away from the goal of complete denuclearization. With North Korea's continued development of ICBMs, the focus is now on negotiating to reduce the threat to the U.S." Experts added that North Korea's growing ties with Russia, China, and Iran could complicate future negotiations. With the stakes now higher, the attention will be on Trump's next move, as his unpredictable approach could lead to unexpected outcomes. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

U.S. names South Korea's trade barriers ahead of reciprocal tariff impositions

2025/04/01 20:00

A recent report by the U.S. office for foreign trade policy is raising concern in Korea as the findings draw attention to what they see as barriers. Ahn Sung-jin reports. The Trump administration is putting scrutiny on South Korea's trade barriers. The United States Trade Representative on Monday local time released a 7-page National Trade Estimate report, which stated that emissions-related regulations on imported vehicles and the pricing of pharmaceutical products remain a barrier to trade. The U.S.' concerns came from a lack of transparency despite South Korea's Clean Air Conservation Act layout, and added that market entry for U.S. automotive manufacturers into South Korea remains a top priority. Korea's prioritization of local technology over foreign technology in defense procurement has also been labeled a barrier. In the case of the pharmaceutical and medical industry, the report said Korea lacks transparency and opportunity for stakeholders to "input into proposed policy changes." It also noted Seoul's import ban on American beef from cattle aged 30 months or older, calling the restriction a transitional measure. Other trade barriers include digital trade barriers such as network usage fees that allegedly feed into a monopoly of internet service providers. The USTR releases an annual report to the President and Congress that documents obstacles for U.S. exporters and solutions including efforts to overcome these barriers. Though these trade barriers have already been brought up in the past, with Trump's hard-line tariff impositions, they seem more pertinent. South Korea's Trade Ministry pledged to closely analyze the trade barriers in the report and discuss these issues with relevant ministries and stakeholders to draft a response. The government also plans to consult with the U.S. through working-level channels to further explain Seoul's non-tariff measures. Trump's efforts to impose reciprocal tariffs will resume from the beginning of April. He has stated that further details will become clearer between the night of April 1st or 2nd Eastern Time. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

S. Korea's exports rise for second straight month in March on strong chip demand

2025/04/01 20:00

Korea's exports expanded for the second month in a row in March gaining over three-percent from a year ago backed by shipments of semiconductors. Lee Soo-jin has details. South Korea's exports grew for the second consecutive month in March amid mounting concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's impending tariffs announcement. Data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Tuesday shows that the value of exports last month came to 58-point-2 billion U.S. dollars, up 3-point-1 percent compared to the previous year. Korea's exports declined in January ,.. ending a 15-month streak of on-year growth, but rebounded in February and showed an upward trend in March. This comes as outbound shipments of semiconductors, the country's top export item, rose nearly 12 percent on-year, driven by strong demand for high-value memory semiconductors such as HBM and DDR5. Chip exports rebounded in March after showing negative growth in February and fell below the 10 billion dollar mark, after surpassing it for nine consecutive months. Shipments of automobiles,.. another key export item, also increased for the second consecutive month as growth in shipments of hybrid, gasoline, and diesel vehicles continued from the previous month. And while exports of steel, fell, an official from the government said that the drop was not due to the Trump administration's 25 percent aluminum and steel tariffs imposed last month. "Export volume has remained largely unchanged. Typically, there is a two to three-month lag between signing a steel contract and the actual exporting, meaning the impact of tariffs on steel is yet to fully take effect." Outbound shipments of aluminum, which were also subject to the 25 percent tariff, saw a more than 20 percent increase last month. But with additional duties, including reciprocal tariffs and the 25 percent auto tariffs set to take effect this week, likely to bring greater trade uncertainties, the official said the government will provide export vouchers and expert consultation services for companies. The country's imports rose 2-point-3 percent, leading to a second straight month of trade surplus. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.

How Yoon's impeachment trial kicked off and what to look out for in ruling on April 4

2025/04/01 20:00

Now, let's take a minute to look back at what happened leading up to the verdict, and what the public should be on the lookout for. Our political correspondent Kim Do-yeon gets us up to speed. On December 3rd, 2024, at around 10:27 PM, President Yoon declared martial law. Lawmakers overcoming the initial stand off against the police and military rushed to the National Assembly and voted to overturn the declaration after six hours. 11 days later, with a dozen ruling People Power Party lawmakers changing their minds from the first vote, the second impeachment vote passes the threshold of 200. That kicked off the Constitutional Court case. April 4th marks 111 days since. The first hearing took place on January 1st, 2025 --11 of them in total. The impeachment motion lists five reasons why President Yoon's action was unconstitutional. One, the act of declaring martial law was not justified. Two, the details of how martial law will be operated. Three, the attempt to blockade the National Assembly including detaining politicians. Four, the raid of the National Election Commission and, lastly, efforts to detain judges. "On December 3rd, the Republic of Korea was neither in a state of war, armed conflict, nor facing a comparable national emergency. There was no reason for military involvement to maintain public peace and order through the use of armed forces." Meanwhile, President Yoon argues that declaring martial law is a president's constitutional authority in a national emergency. He claimed the Democratic Party of Korea has been abusing its majority to pass impeachment motions of key government officials and has cut budgets way too far. And, that there were anti-state forces already active in South Korea threatening the nation's security while saying the election system was mismanaged. While whether the nation was under grave threat could be seen as subjective, there is one objective fact the Constitutional Court justices paid close attention to: Did Yoon order the detainment of politicians? "The exact wording was to go inside the main hall and take out the lawmakers?" Among many witnesses second in command at National Intelligence Service Hong Jang-won took the spotlight when he testified that President Yoon indeed ordered him to detain key politicians and even had a specific list presenting a note he took while taking the orders. He claimed that he did not go forward with the order. "After hearing the plans to detain them at Counterintelligence Command's detention facilities and interrogate them, how could I take those orders?" His claims were challenged by other witnesses, including his former boss NIS Chief Cho Tae-yong. President Yoon also said the order was to keep a close watch on politicians likely to go against the decrees of marital law. There are eight justices on the bench currently. It takes six to uphold the impeachment. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Rival parties welcome Constitutional Court decision to set Yoon's impeachment verdict date for April 4

2025/04/01 20:00

Rival parties were quick to respond. The ruling party urged the Court not to be swayed by the opposition's pressure, while the opposition called for Yoon's removal. Our National Assembly correspondent Shin Ha-young reports. The rival political parties welcomed the Constitutional Court's announcement on Tuesday of a date for its verdict on the president's political fate. Ruling People Power Party interim leader Kwon Young-se expressed relief that setting the verdict date will help resolve the "constitutional instability." He called for a fair decision while expressing hope that the impeachment motion would be dismissed. PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong said that it would accept the ruling but emphasized that the Court should not be swayed by the opposition's pressure. "We expect a fair ruling based on law and conscience. The Constitutional Court must not give in to the Democratic Party's pressure for a specific outcome." Main opposition Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae expressed regret that the acting president has not appointed Constitutional Court justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk before the verdict but still welcomed the decision to deliver it this Friday. Park said Yoon's swift removal from office is the best way to end what it describes as insurrection. "We are confident in a unanimous decision. Since this issue arose from a constitutional violation, removal is the best verdict to end this situation." The DP leadership held a closed-door meeting after the verdict date was announced, where it decided to be on standby at the National Assembly starting Tuesday to respond to any emergencies until the verdict is delivered. "With the Constitutional Court setting the date for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial verdict, concerns are growing that the country will face political turmoil regardless of the outcome. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News."

Police seal off 100-meter radius around Constitutional Court, restricting public access

2025/04/01 20:00

As the verdict date is set and tension builds up, the police are tightening measures to prevent any disorder near the court. Choi Soo-hyung has the details. Following the impeachment ruling for President Yoon set for Friday, April 4th, the police have sealed off a 100-meter radius around the Constitutional Court. As of 1 PM Tuesday, police banned all gatherings and traffic within a 100-meter radius of the Constitutional Court. Police vehicles formed barricades on nearby roads, including in front of the court and at the Jaedong Elementary School intersection. Pedestrian paths have been blocked, restricting public access. and vehicle traffic on Bukchon-ro outside the court has also been banned. For safety reasons, Anguk Station on line number 3 has closed all exits except for exits 5 and 6. Seoul Metro has announced the station would be fully closed on Friday, the day of the ruling. Police have tightened security, closely monitoring nearby gatherings to prevent potential clashes. On the day of the ruling the highest-level emergency response from the police, "Gabho Emergency," will be issued, allowing full deployment of police forces. Around 20-thousand police personnel from across the country will be mobilized, with 14-thousand deployed to Seoul. The level of personal protection for Constitutional Court judges will also be strengthened. Currently, the police are providing dedicated protection for all Constitutional Court judges including protecting their homes. Meanwhile, on Friday, the day of the ruling, nearby palaces and schools will be closed. The Korea Heritage Service announced that Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Deoksugung palaces will be closed. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education stated that at least 13 schools near the court and the presidential residence in Yongsan will also be temporarily closed as precaution. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.