South Korean President supporters cause mayhem in court: Reports
3 Min Read
Hundreds of supporters of South Korea's arrested president, Yoon Suk-yeol, stormed a court building after his detention was extended, smashing windows and breaking in.
-
Police officers stand outside of the Seoul Western District Court after supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol broke into the court in Seoul, South Korea, on January 19, 2025. (AP)
Supporters of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is accused of attempting to violently seize power, created chaos in the court that ruled to detain him, according to Yonhap news agency.
Following President Yoon Suk-yeol's arrest on January 19 (around 18:00 GMT Saturday) on charges of leading a rebellion, his supporters stormed the Seoul Western District Court, resulting in significant chaos, according to Yonhap news agency.
The agency reported that the enraged crowd pushed past police resistance, breaking into the courthouse through a gate at the back of the building. Some of the president's supporters even climbed over the fence to gain access.
The supporters began breaking windows and successfully entered the building, where they continued to smash glass and furniture using fire extinguishers and other makeshift tools while shouting "President Yoon Suk-yeol."
Some attempted to find judges who ordered his detention, threw plastic chairs at police officers, took away their shields and rubber batons, and used them against the police officers themselves. Other supporters of Yoon Seok-yeol to calm their comrades, convincing them that this was "not what the president wanted."
Law enforcement reinforcements quickly arrived and began arresting the rioters, urging those still inside the building to leave immediately and ordering everyone outside the court to disperse, cease the unauthorized rally, and stop any other illegal activities.
President appears for arrest warrant hearing
Yoon appeared in court for the first time on Saturday to attend a hearing that will determine determine whether his detention would be extended as investigators examine his failed attempt to impose martial law.
The impeached president, who has maintained that his arrest is unlawful, plunged the nation into turmoil on December 3 when he sought to suspend the civilian rule, citing threats from "anti-state elements".
Supporters of Yoon gathered outside the court, with some attempting to surround the blue van carrying the embattled leader, according to AFP reporters.
The martial law attempt lasted only six hours, as lawmakers voted against it despite Yoon's order for soldiers to storm parliament to block the vote. He was subsequently impeached and resisted arrest for weeks, staying in his guarded residence until authorities detained him in a dawn raid on Wednesday.
Yoon, the first sitting South Korean president to be detained, has refused to cooperate during the initial 48 hours allowed for questioning. Investigators requested a new warrant on Friday to extend his detention, and a judge from the Seoul Western District Court was set to review the request at a hearing scheduled for 2:00 pm (0500 GMT). A decision was expected later that evening or early Sunday.
Ahead of the hearing, Yoon's lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, told AFP that the president would attend "with the intention of restoring his honor." If granted, the warrant could extend Yoon’s detention by 20 days, giving prosecutors time to file formal charges.
