Seoul: Court that extended South Korean president's detention attacked by president's supporters

Supporters of the conservative leader broke windows and doors and stormed the courthouse.

8269 views 2 comment(s)
Supporter of Jon Suk Jeola jumps over a fence in front of the courthouse, Photo: Reuters
Supporter of Jon Suk Jeola jumps over a fence in front of the courthouse, Photo: Reuters
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

The Seoul court that announced the extension of the detention of South Korean President Jeon Suk-jeol was attacked early this morning by supporters of the president, who was suspended from office and arrested for attempting to impose a state of emergency.

The court's announcement early this morning of its decision to keep Jon in custody for another 20 days enraged tens of thousands of protesters who had gathered outside the courthouse since yesterday.

Supporters of the conservative leader broke windows and entrances and stormed the court.

AFP journalists saw hundreds of police officers rushing to the court to remove Jon's angry supporters, while police said dozens of people were arrested during the "unacceptable, illegal and violent incident".

The attack on the courthouse is unprecedented in South Korean history, lawyer and political commentator Jo Jung-hon told AFP.

The court said its decision to extend the president's detention was made out of fear that Yong Suk-jeol might destroy evidence.

Several investigations are underway against Yeon Suk Jeol, including for "sedition," and he is accused of undermining the country's democracy when he suddenly declared a state of emergency on December 3. Then, a sufficient number of deputies quickly overturned his decision in Parliament, surrounded by soldiers.

Jon was suspended after Parliament passed a motion to impeach him in mid-December and was arrested on Wednesday. The Constitutional Court will decide whether his impeachment will be formally implemented.

Jon's move to declare a short-term state of emergency plunged the country into political chaos, and today's violent events mark a new phase in that deep crisis.

Seok Dong-hyeon, one of Yoon's lawyers, condemned the extension of his detention in a statement, although he added that violence "probably is not" what his client wants. He said the incidents could become a burden during his trial.

The court's decision to extend the detention gives prosecutors time to charge Jon Suk Jeol with sedition, a crime punishable by death.

The suspended head of state wants to go to court to "restore his honor," said another of his legal advisers.

On Friday, Jon sent a letter through his lawyers to his supporters, who include evangelicals and right-wing YouTubers, to thank them for their protests and to pay tribute to their "passionate patriotism."

He was arrested on January 15 when Corruption Investigation Bureau agents and police officers raided the presidential palace, the first time such a thing had been done for a serving head of state in South Korea.

Parliament voted to impeach him on December 14, leading to his suspension. However, he remains officially president and only the Constitutional Court has the authority to remove him from office.

In this procedure, which is taking place in parallel with the open investigations, the Constitutional Court has until mid-June to definitively recall him, or to decide to restore him to his functions.

Bonus video: