Why did the Korean Supreme Court seek damages over the Seoul Western District Court riot?

The National Court Administration said the riot was a collective act of violence and destruction against a courthouse and a serious illegal act that severely undermined the court’s function and authority. It said holding participants strictly accountable under the law was necessary.

When did the pro-Yoon courthouse riot happen and what triggered it?

The riot took place on Jan. 19 last year at Seoul Western District Court. It followed the court’s decision to extend Yoon Suk Yeol’s detention over his martial law declaration the previous month.

How many people were convicted or indicted in the courthouse riot case?

The article says 128 people were indicted over the riot, and 18 were confirmed guilty by the Supreme Court in April. The court is also considering whether to seek additional damages from the remaining convicted participants.

Korea's Supreme Court seeks damages against pro-Yoon courthouse rioters

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Summary

The Korean Supreme Court filed a civil lawsuit in Seoul on Wednesday seeking 1.2 billion won in damages from five people convicted over last year’s pro-Yoon courthouse riot. The National Court Administration said the suit seeks 1.18 billion won for repair costs and delayed-payment interest. The riot hit Seoul Western District Court on Jan. 19 last year after the court extended Yoon Suk Yeol’s detention. The court said the attack severely undermined judicial functions and authority.

Key Facts

The National Court Administration filed the damages suit with the Seoul Central District Court against five convicted participants.
The lawsuit seeks 1.18 billion won in repair costs and delayed-payment interest.
The riot took place at Seoul Western District Court on Jan. 19 last year after the court decided to extend Yoon Suk Yeol’s detention.
Among the rioters, 128 people were indicted and 18 were confirmed guilty by the top court in April.
The Supreme Court said it is considering whether to seek additional damages from the remaining convicted participants.

By Pyo Kyung-min

Published Aug 26, 2026 8:39 pm KST

Workers repair damaged exterior walls and windows at Seoul Western District Court, Jan. 20, 2025. Supporters of former President Yoon Suk Yeol turned violent and forced their way into the courthouse in the early hours on Jan. 19, after the court extended Yoon's detention. Newsis

The Korean Supreme Court filed a civil lawsuit seeking 1.2 billion won ($795,000) in damages against people involved in last year’s courthouse riot linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking a rare case of the judiciary taking legal action against private individuals.

The National Court Administration (NCA), a Supreme Court unit responsible for overseeing the judiciary’s administrative affairs, said Wednesday it filed a damages lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court against five people convicted over their involvement in the Seoul Western District Court riot, seeking 1.18 billion won in repair costs for property damage, along with interest for delayed payment. The "Republic of Korea" is listed as the plaintiff in the lawsuit.

“The riot constitutes a collective act of violence and destruction against a courthouse, where the country’s judicial functions are carried out,” the NCA said. “It was a serious illegal act that severely undermined the court’s function and authority, and it is necessary to hold those who participated in the riot strictly accountable under the law.”

The riot at Seoul Western District Court took place on Jan. 19 last year, after the court decided to extend Yoon’s detention over his martial law declaration the previous month. Yoon’s supporters, who had been holding a rally outside the court, stormed its compound, smashing windows, assaulting police officers and damaging court property.

Among the rioters, 128 people were indicted, and 18 were confirmed guilty by the top court in April. The Supreme Court is also considering whether to seek additional damages from the remaining convicted participants.

This marks a rare case of the Supreme Court filing a damages suit against private individuals, as there had been no precedent of a courthouse being attacked in Korea. The judiciary, which usually resolve disputes between others, became a party of the case and sought civil damages separately from the criminal penalties.

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