Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
66 supporters of Yoon face arrest for violence at Seoul court
Windows and walls of the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo District are left damaged, Monday, following violent protests by President Yoon Suk Yeol's supporters, who stormed into the court early Sunday following the court's decision to issue an arrest warrant for him. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Lee Hyo-jin
Over half of apprehended protesters in 20s and 30s
Police sought the arrest of 66 out of the 90 suspects who were apprehended in connection to the violent protests at a Seoul court by President Yoon Suk Yeol's supporters, law enforcement authorities said Monday.
Of the 90 apprehended suspects, whose ages range from teenagers to those in their 70s, 46 are in their 20s and 30s, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Three of them are YouTubers.
The number of arrests may rise as police continue to analyze phone records and YouTube videos for further evidence of the chaotic scene.
These suspects now face legal consequences for their involvement in the violent assault on the Seoul Western District Court early Sunday morning, when dozens of protesters stormed the facility in protest of its decision to issue an arrest warrant for the president over his botched martial law imposition.
It remains to be seen exactly what charges the suspects will face in their unprecedented attack on the judiciary, but the primary allegations include trespassing on public property and obstructing official duties, including assaulting police officers.
Depending on the results of the ongoing investigation, charges could extend to rioting, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison or a fine of 15 million won.
A man looks through the fence of the Seoul Western District Court, Monday. A sign for the back gate is leaned against the fence, after being damaged during a violent protest by supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol early Sunday morning. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
A quiet yet tense atmosphere surrounded the court in Mapo District on Monday afternoon, with only a few officials seen coming in and out of the heavily guarded facility.
Several police buses were parked along the main entrance as officers patrolled the area near the gate. They stood watch, conducting identity checks and permitting entry only to authorized officials.
Beyond the fence, staffers were seen working to repair the court's shattered windows and walls. At the back gate, a damaged sign reading "Seoul Western District Court Back Gate" was leaned against the fence — a grim reminder of the mob violence.
The court said scheduled hearings and daily operations were being carried out on Monday without disruption despite the unsettling attack. However, the incident has caused significant financial losses and left employees grappling with emotional trauma.
“Things were quite chaotic this morning, with everyone talking about what happened. But we’re doing our best to get it together and continue our work," a court employee told The Korea Times on condition of anonymity.
“I was at home when it happened,” she said. “I heard about the damage to the court property, but I’m not sure how or when we will be compensated. My electric bike, which was parked near the court, was damaged, along with several other motorcycles nearby.”
Cheon Dae-yup, head of the National Court Administration, speaks during a session at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
Cheon Dae-yup, head of the National Court Administration, an administrative body under the Supreme Court, said that the top court is considering lawsuits against the protesters seeking compensation for the damage.
"The sustained material damage from the illegal violent incident is estimated at 600 million won ($414,000) to 700 million won," Cheon said during a National Assembly session.
The damaged property includes shattered walls and windows, surveillance camera storage devices, computer monitors, desks and other office equipment, along with sculptures and other art displayed at the facility.
"There have been calls from judges to ensure that all individuals involved in the unlawful acts are held fully accountable," he said in response to a lawmaker’s inquiry about the compensation plan.
Cheon also said while no staffers were physically injured, they have been left with psychological trauma.
According to a report by the court submitted to Rep. Seo Young-kyo of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, approximately 25 staff members were inside the court during the incident.
The mob stormed the court just minutes after it announced the issuance of an arrest warrant for Yoon at 3 a.m. on Sunday.
Court employees attempted to barricade the first-floor entrance using vending machines and other materials, but their efforts were in vain. The mob forced its way inside at around 3:21 a.m., prompting the staff to flee to the rooftop, where they used chairs and other objects to barricade the door and waited for over an hour before the violence subsided, the report stated.
Around 1,400 police officers, including riot units, entered the court at approximately 3:32 a.m. and began apprehending the protesters.
During the incident, 51 police officers were injured, with seven of them sustaining serious injuries such as fractures.
A coalition of journalists' groups holds a press conference near the Seoul Western District Court, Monday, denouncing the violent protest by supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol at the court early Sunday, during which several journalists were assaulted. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
The violence also extended to journalists who were at the scene, as protesters became aggressive toward them. Many of Yoon's staunch supporters have openly expressed hostility toward media outlets they accuse of spreading fake news about the president.
According to journalists on the scene, the protesters verbally and physically assaulted reporters and seized their camera equipment. Footage captured by some journalists shows the protesters attempting to steal memory cards and damaging equipment.
"This indiscriminate assault on the press is an unprecedented and shocking act," a coalition of journalist associations said in a statement. "There should be no leniency for the rioters who have shaken the rule of law."