Bukchon residents, business owners hit hard by intensifying protests as Yoon's impeachment ruling nears

By Lee Hae-rin

Kim, a 34-year-old coffee shop owner near Anguk Station in Seoul, has been eagerly counting down the days until the Constitutional Court’s final ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment case. She said sales have decreased by “more than 90 percent” due to ongoing protests near her shop.

"Since the protests in this neighborhood began, local business has declined significantly, possibly even more so than during the COVID-19 pandemic," she said Sunday.

As pro-Yoon protesters blasted chants through loudspeakers, Kim sighed and said, "Foreign visitors used to account for nearly half of the total customers for my shop, but I've hardly seen any foreign customers in the past month."

As the final stage of the impeachment trial approaches, massive rallies in support of the Korean president are growing more heated, raising noise and safety concerns around the courthouse.

Located next to Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul, this once-serene neighborhood has long been known for its charming alleys filled with traditional architecture, trendy coffee shops, galleries and workshops. However, for local merchants and residents, that peaceful atmosphere has been disrupted by ongoing rallies for and against the impeachment.

Cho, a 27-year-old resident, said, “I had to go to neighboring Hyehwa-dong last weekend, but the traffic was being controlled due to a rally held at Anguk Station, so I eventually had to walk for more than an hour."

"Not only is it difficult to go out because of these rallies, but we are also suffering from noise pollution even while we are at home," Lee, a 26-year-old resident, said. "And we are growing tired of the noise."

He added, "It’s especially mentally challenging to listen to the noise of the pro-Yoon rally, which contains radical remarks, all day long, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.”

Merchants also complain that they are under heavy mental stress due to noise and garbage problems.

"The radical remarks at the rally continue all day long," Kim said, "Sometimes it is hard to talk to a customer over the counter because of the noise."

As the date of the impeachment ruling approaches, education authorities are also on edge regarding safety concerns for the six schools located near the Constitutional Court.

These schools are considering closing on the day of the verdict, as suggested by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE).

"Both parents and schools are concerned that students will be negatively affected by the harsh remarks of protesters on their way to and from school," said an official at Jaedong Elementary School, which is 50 meters from the Constitutional Court. "Currently, guardians are accompanying students and school safety guards are managing students."

An official from Choong Ang High School also said, "We received an official letter from SMOE to be careful about student safety on the day of the verdict, and we plan to take a discretionary leave of absence."

Although no specific date has been set for the final ruling, tensions are rising as more protesters are expected to flock to the Constitutional Court.

Police deployed buses both on the Constitutional Court grounds and outside the gates and installed a wide range of barricades at the main gate to strengthen security.

Traffic in the area will also be regulated on the day of the ruling, which is expected later this week.

Police also plan to conduct an internal explosive detection test at the Constitutional Court and mobilize a total of 12,000 personnel, including 9,000 task force members, to the Constitutional Court and the Gwanghwamun area. The figure represents nearly 10 percent of the country's total police force of 130,000 personnel.