Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Sources from Mehr News Agency: The Americans have requested, through intermediaries from various countries, the continuation of negotiations with Iran
Mehr News Agency, citing sources: The Iranian Foreign Ministry is considering a US request to continue negotiations after they failed to halt Iran's nuclear capabilities
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five martyrs and several wounded after the occupation targeted a group of civilians in Al-Rimal neighborhood, west of Gaza City
Hamas: The comprehensive failure, military, political, and moral, exposes the falsehoods of the Zionist propaganda machine and reaffirms that our struggle is one of willpower and steadfastness
Hamas: Hamas: The slogans of "crushing defeat" and "total eradication" of the movement have collapsed in the face of explosive tunnels and the Resistance’s ambushes
Hamas: 640 days into the aggression, the occupation has utterly failed to break Gaza’s will or subdue its resistance
Iranian FM spokesperson denies Trump’s claims about Iran requesting a meeting with the US: We have made no such request to the American side
OHCHR: We have concerns that Nasser's arrest is part of efforts to eliminate legitimate forms of Palestinian expression
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Six killed or injured in Israeli drone strike on displaced persons’ tents in Sanabel camp, al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Several injuries reported as a result of the drone strike on the displaced persons' tent in the Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Yunis

South Korea jails two over courthouse riot linked to ex-president

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 14 May 2025 09:16
3 Min Read

Two men have been sentenced over a violent courthouse riot in Seoul following the detention of ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol.

Listen
  • x
  • South Korea jails two over courthouse riot linked to ex-president
    Supporters of South Korea's ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol stand to call for the cancellation of his removal in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, on April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A South Korean court handed two men jail terms Wednesday for their role in a January riot which saw supporters of impeached ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol attack a court building.

Protesters stormed the Seoul Western District Court in January this year after a judge extended the detention of Yoon, South Korea's first sitting head of state to be arrested, over his brief imposition of martial law.

The protesters used fire extinguishers to break doors and smash windows, entering the court building and vandalising it, also attacking police officers at the scene.

Seoul's Western District Court sentenced two men, identified only by their surnames, Kim, 35, and So, 28, to one year and six months and one year in prison, respectively, a court spokesperson told AFP. The case marked a rare act of political violence against the country’s judiciary, which experts warn reflects deepening polarisation following Yoon’s attempt to override civilian authority in December.

Related News

South Korea President answers summons, faces threat of another arrest

South Korea's ex-president Yoon faces insurrection charges

In a statement after the ruling was delivered, the court said: "The overall outcome of the crime was devastating." The men interpreted the South Korean judiciary's decision as a "political conspiracy" and were driven by "obsession" to carry out "immediate retaliation".

Yoon had become a "lame duck" president after the opposition Democratic Party secured a majority in the parliamentary elections in April of the previous year.

Yoon's martial law declaration 

In his televised address declaring martial law, Yoon railed against "anti-state elements plundering people's freedom and happiness", and his office later described the move as an effort to overcome legislative gridlock.

Following his declaration, he gained support from extreme religious leaders and right-wing YouTubers, many of whom have been linked to the January courthouse riot. He has also been accused of tacitly encouraging the violence.

Yoon, ousted from office earlier last month by the Constitutional Court, had recently moved into his previous home in Seoul's Seocho district following the fallout from his December 3 martial law declaration. The court ruling stripped him of all powers and privileges.

According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, the raid was connected to ongoing inquiries into alleged ties between Yoon's family and a controversial shaman named Jeon Seong-bae.

  • martial law
  • Yoon Suk-Yeol
  • South Korea

Most Read

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' peace deal

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' normalization

  • MENA
  • 4 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • Today
Al-Qassam hits IOF groupings in Khan Younis; ‘tough incident’ reported

3 Israeli soldiers killed by Resistance gunfire in south, north Gaza

  • Palestine
  • 4 Jul 2025
Concrete and rubble fall from a heavily damaged building as Israeli soldiers search for survivors in a residential area hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)

'Israel' concealed damage inflicted by Iran in war, report finds

  • Politics
  • 5 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Big beautiful bill's ugly reality for American healthcare
US & Canada

'Big beautiful bill's' ugly reality for American healthcare

Ukrainian Forces struggle to hold Eastern front lines: NYT
Europe

Ukrainian forces struggle to hold eastern frontlines: NYT

Plan proposes transit camps for Gazans ahead of possible relocation
US & Canada

GHF proposed 'transit areas' plan prior to Gaza residents 'relocation'

Lavrov: IAEA will be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments
Europe

IAEA to be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments: Lavrov

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS