I hope it doesn’t happen, but at this point I would be shocked if violence of some kind does not happen after the impeachment decision. I think the violence will be less if Yoon is impeached and greater if he is retained:

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Wednesday urged politicians to avoid making divisive remarks that could lead to violence on Friday, when the Constitutional Court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment.

Han’s remark comes amid a deepening partisan rift observed in the National Assembly, coupled with the political turmoil that has gripped the nation since Yoon’s martial law decree in December.

“Now is a time to prioritize the stability and survival of our community over political gain,” Han said during a meeting attended by the heads of the justice, science, defense and interior ministries. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also attended the meeting, as did the chiefs of police and firefighting agencies.

“I earnestly plead with you to refrain from remarks that can provoke or incite illegal protests or violence. Please show a responsible attitude that contributes to social cohesion rather than (prompting) division and conflict,” he added.

Concerns have mounted over the possibility of violence and clashes on Friday between pro- and anti-Yoon protesters as well as conflict between demonstrators and the police.

Korea Herald

You can read more at the link.

This weekend would be a good time for Americans in South Korea to keep a low profile because the potential for violence caused by the upcoming Constitutional Court ruling is a probability:

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul advised American citizens in South Korea on Wednesday to avoid large crowds or demonstrations ahead of the Constitutional Court’s verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment. 

The notice came as the top court is set to rule on Yoon’s impeachment over his brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3. 

“In connection with the Constitutional Court’s verdict on the impeachment of President Yoon, U.S. citizens should anticipate large-scale demonstrations and an increased police presence,” the embassy said in a posting on X. 

“Avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place, and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large crowds, gatherings, protests, or rallies,” it said.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

Considering how cheap health care is in South Korea it is not surprising that Koreans are going to the doctor more on average than other countries:

South Koreans on average visit local medical clinics 18 times a year, far exceeding those in other similar countries, a recent report showed.

The report on South Koreans’ health care usage found that the average number of annual outpatient visits per capita reached 18 in 2023. This figure is almost three times the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development average of 6.4 in 2022.

Korea Herald

You can read more at the link.

South Korea has much better equipped and modern military than North Korea. I feel confident they can deter North Korea if some US troops were deployed off the peninsula:

Concerns are mounting in South Korea over a potential shift in the role of the 28,500 US troops stationed here amid evolving nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.

Such worries have existed for decades, but have been exacerbated following US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January, experts noted. The possibility of the second Trump administration diverting some of the USFK resources to help defend Taiwan against threats from China has fed worries that it would leave the South more vulnerable to the North’s provocations, they added.

“There are growing concerns over the potential scenario that Washington would leverage part of the US Forces stationed on the Korean Peninsula for broader regional security roles rather than limiting their role to deterring the North,” Yu Ji-hoon, director of external cooperation at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said via phone.

The allies have repeatedly stressed that the primary role of United States Forces Korea is to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Korea Herald

You can read more at the link, but the concept of strategic flexibility for USFK is not a new concept and dates back to the early 2000’s. Additionally an entire heavy brigade was deployed from Korea to Iraq back in 2004 showing that units have deployed off the peninsula before.

Any bets on if there will be violent riots by anti-Yoon leftists this weekend if Yoon is reinstated or by pro-Yoon protesters if the impeachment is upheld?:

The Constitutional Court said it will deliver its ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment at 11 a.m. Friday, raising hopes of an end to the political turmoil that has gripped the nation since his short-lived imposition of martial law in December.

The verdict will be delivered from the court and live broadcasts will be allowed, along with the attendance of members of the public, the court said in a notice to the press Tuesday.

The ruling will come nearly four months after Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly on charges of violating the Constitution and laws through his brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

It will not only be South Korean stocks dipping this week, but likely most of the world as well:

South Korean stocks fell 3 percent to a near two-month low Monday ahead of U.S. reciprocal tariffs set to be announced later this week amid the removal of a short selling ban. The local currency sharply fell against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) dropped 76.86 points to close at 2,481.12, marking the lowest closing since Feb. 3, when it finished at 2,453.95.

Trade volume was slim at 385.5 million shares worth 8.1 trillion won (US$5.5 billion), with losers sharply outnumbering winners 824 to 87.

Foreigners sold a net 1.5 trillion won worth of stocks, while institutions and individuals purchased a net 666.9 billion won and 789.9 billion won, respectively.

Analysts said investors were concerned that U.S. President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, slated for Wednesday (U.S. time), would trigger a global trade war. He also confirmed 25 percent tariffs on all imported cars set to take effect Thursday.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.