Seoul: Police on Tuesday launched an operation to block off the Constitutional Court and surrounding area earlier than scheduled after the court announced its plan to rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment on Friday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, police had originally planned to turn the area within a radius of approximately 100 meters around the court into a "vacuum state" by preventing access by the general public, one day or two before the sentencing day, to better cope with unexpected situations that may arise from large-scale gatherings following the court's ruling.

However, police implemented the vacuum creation operation three days before the ruling day and notified supporters and opponents of Yoon of their plan to cordon off the court and surrounding area as of 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Following the police notice, Yoon's supporters said they will voluntarily and gradually remove their tents set up near the main gate of the Constitutional Court.

In a related move, riot police officers stationed around the court are checking their protective clothing and other equipment to prepare for an emergency situation.