Pro- and anti-arrest protesters rally near President Yoon Suk Yeol's residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Seoul's Hannam-dong, home to President Yoon Suk Yeol's official residence, has transformed from a popular restaurant and cafe district for young people into a protest battleground since the issuance of an arrest warrant for the president on Dec. 31, leaving nearby residents and business owners grappling with the fallout.

Frequent large-scale rallies by pro- and anti-Yoon protesters have dealt a heavy blow to the area's otherwise thriving commercial district, renowned for its trendy cafes, hip restaurants and unique attractions.

The influx of protesters has brought noise, litter and disruption, leading to what residents describe as a "triple burden."

Businesses take severe hit

Moon Sun-min, 25, an employee at a clothing shop in Hannam-dong, expressed frustration over the impact of the protests.

"Customers often can't even get to our store because many streets are blocked," she said.

Delivery delays have compounded the problem.

"Clothes that should have arrived last week still haven't, and I've had to tell customers we don't have their sizes." Sales have plummeted, with weekday revenue dropping from 3 million won ($2,200) to just 1 million won.

Art gallery worker Hwang Jung-hwan, 26, also reported disruptions, saying, "We've been flooded with calls to cancel or reschedule appointments. Some customers couldn't reach the gallery because protest participants stopped them and asked, ‘Where are you going?'"

The protests have even driven away the area's usual visitors. "I used to love the unique, quiet cafes in Hannam-dong, but the noise from the rallies has ruined its charm," Park, a 24-year-old university student, said. "Now, my friends and I avoid meeting there entirely."

A back-alley in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, remains quiet as protests briefly pause on Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Heo Yoo-jung

Noise, litter, sleepless nights

The protests have also become a major headache for residents. Large speakers blasting music and chants throughout the day make it nearly impossible to hold a conversation, while nighttime noise disrupts sleep.

"My 4-year-old can't sleep properly because of the loudspeakers, even at night," 42-year-old Yang, a nearby resident, said.

The trash from the rallies, including instant noodle cups and protest signs, filled streets, alleyways and convenience store areas.

Residents lament the stark contrast with recent protests near Yeouido, where participants cleaned up after themselves, earning praise for their orderly conduct.

With the reissuance of the arrest warrant on Tuesday night, the situation is unlikely to improve anytime soon. Pro- and anti-Yoon groups have already announced more rallies.

Trash and protest signs, pile up on the streets near President Yoon Suk Yeol's residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Jeon Yoo-jin

Conservative groups plan to hold a rally in Hannam-dong at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, while Candlelight Action, an anti-Yoon group, will hold a rally at 3 p.m.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.