An egg thrown by a protester of a conservative group lies on the ground in front of the Constitutional Court in central Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

As the ruling in President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial approaches, safety concerns are growing, with increasing doubts about whether the heightened security measures around the Constitutional Court are sufficient to prevent disturbances and violence.

Concerns grew after DPK lawmaker Rep. Back Hye-ryun was struck in the face by an egg during the party's press conference outside the Constitutional Court on Thursday, as party members demanded the president's removal.

Back expressed pain after being hit, while another egg splattered onto the clothes of DPK Rep. Lee Geon-tae, who was standing beside her.

She condemned the incident, adding that such an act is "something that should never happen in a democratic society," as she urged the police to identify the perpetrator. She later visited a nearby police station to file a complaint.

DPK Rep. Kim Nam-hee, who was also present at the scene, said that the individual who threw the egg was part of a far-right protest group.

"This is an act of blatant violence and a terrorist attack against a politician," Kim said. "The illegal protests by far-right groups attempting to pressure the Constitutional Court have gone too far. This cannot be allowed to continue."

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Rep. Back Hye-ryun, center, is struck in the face by an egg thrown by a protester from a conservative group during a press conference in front of the Constitutional Court in central Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Meanwhile, as the decision on Yoon's impeachment case continues to drag on, political and civic groups are intensifying their efforts to submit petitions to the Constitutional Court, urging the justices to take their views into account.

According to legal sources on Thursday, the number of petitions related to Yoon's trial has already surpassed 2 million, with politicians, civic groups and individuals submitting them to the court daily, either in person or by mail.

The Constitutional Court logs all submitted petitions into its system, making them available for review. However, due to the overwhelming volume of petitions, it is practically impossible for justices or legal researchers to examine every submission. Since petitions are not considered formal evidence, the court is not required to review them.

On Feb. 28, 76 lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP), including five-term lawmaker Rep. Na Kyung-won and six-term lawmaker Rep. Joo Ho-young, submitted a petition, followed by another submission by 82 PPP lawmakers on March 12, demanding the court to dismiss the impeachment motion.

Senior lawmakers from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), including fifth- and sixth-term lawmakers and standing committee chairs, also submitted a joint letter and statement calling for Yoon's removal, citing concerns over public anxiety.

Civic groups and academic circles have also been submitting their own collective petitions alongside individual submissions. Supporters of various politicians and interest groups continue to deliver petitions in person at the Constitutional Court's civil affairs office or send them via mail or fax.