People take part in a rally to protest the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol near the presidential residence in central Seoul's Hannam-dong, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

An accessory shop near the presidential residence in central Seoul's Hannam-dong saw a significant decline in visitors, particularly foreign tourists, amid ongoing protests both in support of and against President Yoon Suk Yeol.

"Noise is a major issue, with protesters shouting and chanting loudly,” said Park Yeon-chan, the store's manager. "Our shop typically attracts many foreign visitors, but they feel more intimidated as this is often their first time witnessing such rallies."

Hannam-dong, once a popular destination for young people and foreign tourists with its stylish showrooms, shops and cafes, has turned into a battleground following the issuance of a detention warrant for President Yoon on Dec. 31.

Demonstrations by both supporters and opponents of Yoon's detention have transformed the area into a scene of constant tension.

The Seoul Western District Court recently approved an extension requested by investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) after their failed attempt to execute the warrant.

With the rallies expected to continue, local merchants, like Park, are bracing for prolonged disruptions to their businesses.

Road lanes are blocked due to protests near the presidential residence in central Seoul's Hannam-dong, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-hyun

A dessert shop across from the protest sites has identified noise as its biggest challenge.

"Loud sounds from microphones create not only noise but a disruptive and chaotic atmosphere," said an employee of the shop, who requested anonymity.

He noted that foreign visitors, often unable to understand what the protesters are saying, frequently inquire about safety.

"They ask us if it's safe and whether it's okay to walk around the area," he said. "While staff members understand the protests are unlikely to escalate into violence, they sometimes feel unsafe as we witness participants fight in the streets."

The rallies also make it difficult for people to talk to each other inside the shop.

"The noise makes it difficult for staff and customers to converse. We often have to ask people to repeat themselves or raise our voices to be heard," the employee explained.

Additionally, roadblocks set up to manage the rallies have created commuting challenges for both customers and staff.

"Some employees couldn't catch their buses because of road closures caused by the rallies," he said. "We've had to walk to other subway stations, which takes more time."

The chaotic atmosphere around Hangangjin Station on Seoul Metro Line 6, the nearest subway station to the presidential residence, has further deterred visitors. On Wednesday afternoon, numerous protesters in the area were carrying placards both supporting and opposing Yoon, while police were stationed at the site to manage the crowds and ensure public safety.

As a result of the ongoing rallies, the dessert shop has seen its sales drop by one-third, reflecting the broader impact on businesses in the area.

A staff member at a nearby clothing store said the number of visitors has dropped by about 10 percent since the rallies began.

"Even regular customers are hesitant to come by. They've been calling the store to say they'll visit later because of the ongoing protests in the area," the employee said. "I understand the freedom of assembly and demonstration, but it's hurting small businesses."

Placards supporting and opposing President Yoon Suk Yeol's arrest and impeachment are discarded in central Seoul's Hannam-dong, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-hyun

Trash has become another growing problem. Streets and alleys near the protest sites are often littered with garbage and placards, leaving the area messy.

Data from the Seoul Metropolitan Government shows that daily garbage collection in Yongsan District reached an average of 601 tons, rising by about eight tons from 593 tons.

In response, the city government said Thursday that it will deploy 334 cleaning personnel and 58 pieces of cleaning equipment to the district. It also plans to provide financial support to the district for waste disposal expenses.

Galleries near the protest sites in Hannam-dong have reported disruptions, with some visitors being harshly questioned by protesters about their destinations.

One gallery has faced recent cancellations amid the chaotic atmosphere, and inquiries about access to the area have become frequent.

Another gallery expressed concerns for an upcoming exhibition.

"We're in the middle of preparing an exhibition, which includes installation and eventual dismantling," said a staff member of the gallery surnamed Jang.

She was concerned about the ongoing road closures, which have hindered the movement of large trucks necessary for the preparation process. "We cannot confidently assure visitors that the exhibition will proceed as planned," she said.

The rallies have also impacted a nearby school. Hannam Elementary School, located adjacent to one of the rally sites, canceled its after-school program on Jan. 6 due to safety concerns. The school also postponed pre-enrollment events originally scheduled for Jan. 6 and 7.

The rallies are expected to persist in the coming days as the CIO is set to make a second attempt to detain Yoon.