Four rioters get prison terms for assault, trespassing in 'court rampage'

A supporter of former President Yoon Suk Yeol climbs over a metal fence at the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo District, Seoul, on Jan. 18. Korea Times photo by Park Simon

Four people have been convicted over a violent disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court that broke out during a pretrial hearing for former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The individuals were sentenced to prison for assaulting reporters and police officers, as well as unlawfully entering court premises.

The Seoul Western District Court’s criminal division, presided over by Judge Kim Woo-hyun, sentenced the defendants to prison terms ranging from 10 months to 1 year and 6 months. Two of the four received suspended sentences.

The defendants were indicted after engaging in illegal acts outside the courthouse in Mapo District on Jan. 18, when a pretrial detention hearing was held for Yoon.

One defendant, surnamed Woo, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for throwing a bag at a journalist, which resulted in an injury to the victim.

Another, surnamed Nam, who struck a police officer during the protest, received 1 year and 6 months in prison, suspended for 3 years. A third defendant, surnamed Lee, received 1 year in prison, suspended for 2 years, for similar charges.

Prosecutors had asked for 1 year and 6 months in prison for the three during a sentencing hearing on April 30.

A fourth defendant, surnamed Ahn, who climbed over a steel fence and entered the court premises without authorization, was sentenced to 10 months in prison. All four admitted to the charges and asked for leniency.

Thursday’s ruling marks the second round of sentencing related to the so-called Western District Court rampage. On Wednesday, two others, surnamed Kim and So, were sentenced to 1 year and 6 months and 1 year in prison, respectively, for trespassing and damaging court property.

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