Police are deployed to control a rally by President Yoon Suk Yeol's supporters near the Constitutional Court in Jongno District, central Seoul, as Yoon's third impeachment trial hearing takes place, Jan. 21. Yonhap

Concerns are mounting over the safety of children near schools around the Constitutional Court as rallies in support of President Yoon Suk Yeol continue amid his impeachment trial.

In response, a local education office has implemented measures to protect students, including deploying safety patrols during commuting hours.

Three elementary schools are located near Anguk Station on Seoul Metro Line 3, close to the Constitutional Court. Additionally, more than five educational institutions operate in the area, including kindergartens and day care centers.

Following Yoon's botched martial law decree on Dec. 3, the court has been proceeding with his impeachment trial since January. With the hearing expected to continue until mid-February, concerns over children's safety persist.

According to police, supporters of Yoon have been staging rallies with over 3,000 participants near the station every day.

Many schools have filed similar complaints with the local education office, citing disruptions caused by the gatherings.

According to the Seoul Jung District Office of Education, schools in the area have reported noise disturbances from protests and concerns over potential confrontations between students and aggressive protestors.

A vice principal of one of the affected elementary schools told The Korea Times that the school remains cautious about making an official statement on the issue, fearing possible retaliation from demonstrators against teachers, students and even parents.

"There have been incidents where protestors shouted at children, and in some cases, even trespassed into school grounds," an official at the education office said.

"Many schools have also requested the installation of police lines to ensure safe access for vehicles, as a significant number of students commute by car due to the wide school commuting zone."

When rallies take place, roads in the vicinity are often blocked for safety reasons, making it difficult for vehicles to pass through, further complicating school commutes.

Police buses barricade roads surrounding the Constitutional Court in Jongno District, central Seoul, during the sixth court hearing of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial on Thursday. Yonhap

Another elementary school near the court has been opening its back gate during commuting hours, as police vehicles and roadblocks near the front entrance have made access difficult.

"For now, the threat is minimal since the school is on break and only a few students attend after-school classes," a teacher at a nearby elementary school spoke on condition of anonymity.

"However, concerns remain as there is always a possibility that students could encounter aggressive protesters."

Before pro-Yoon supporters began holding rallies near the Constitutional Court, large gatherings took place near the presidential office in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, where Hannam Elementary School is located directly across from a rally site.

As rallies continued near the presidential office, the education office identified a potential threat to children's safety and formed a dedicated team to assist students during commuting hours since Jan. 13.

The team, initially deployed to support Hannam Elementary School, has since expanded its operations to include schools near the Constitutional Court.

"Typically, education offices submit requests to the police and coordinate with relevant agencies, but this time, the situation was too urgent, prompting education office staff to be deployed on-site," an official said.

The sixth court hearing of Yoon took place on Thursday, with two more sessions scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday.