UPDATE - S.Korea’s acting president warns of ‘zero tolerance’ ahead of impeached leader’s verdict

CHANGES DECK, ADDS DETAILS

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea’s acting president Tuesday said “zero tolerance” would be shown for any violent act in the country as the Constitutional Court is expected to rule on the permanent impeachment or reinstatement of the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The court is expected to announce its ruling soon, possibly this week.

“The government will guarantee the right to hold lawful and peaceful rallies to the fullest extent,” Choi Sang-mok said during a Cabinet meeting, according to the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency, adding that “any illegal or violent demonstrations, as well as any challenges to public authority, will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law, without exception.”

He requested people to follow mature civic consciousness rules and highlighted that the international community was watching South Korea closely.

Protests both in support and against Yoon have been ongoing since his suspension in December over his brief martial law decree on Dec. 3.

On Sunday, Seoul again saw protests following Yoon's release from detention.

Police earlier said all available resources would be utilized and areas surrounding the Constitutional Court would be designated as special crime prevention areas on the day the ruling is announced.

Separately, some legislators, including from the main opposition Democratic Party, the Rebuilding Korea Party, and the Progressive Party, said Tuesday that they have launched a hunger strike for a verdict by the Constitutional Court for Yoon's swift dismissal from office.

"Yoon Suk Yeol must return to jail," they said, calling on the court to "immediately detain Yoon, the mastermind behind the insurrection," according to the KoreaTimes.

The legislators also requested Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung, who released Yoon, to resign and also said that the ruling People Power Party should be dissolved.

Three Democratic Party Korea legislators additionally shaved their heads outside the National Assembly's main building, demanding Yoon's removal from office.

Yoon was released on Saturday from the detention center where he had been held since mid-January over his botched martial law attempt in December, after a Seoul court declared his detention invalid.

However, Yoon still has to stand trial on charges of leading an insurrection and is awaiting the verdict of the Constitutional Court on whether to uphold or dismiss his impeachment.