Protesters remained outside the Seoul Western District Court even after Yoon’s pretrial detention hearing concluded. When news of his arrest warrant was announced at 3 a.m., they breached police barricades at the rear gate and climbed over court walls. Some seized police shields and plastic chairs, using them to smash the court's glass doors and windows before breaking into the building.
Several demonstrators used police batons to attack officers, while others threw ashtrays and trash. Shouting profanities and making death threats, they demanded to confront Judge Cha Eun-kyung, who had approved Yoon's arrest.
The violence caused extensive damage to both the interior and exterior of the court building. Protesters chanted “President Yoon Suk Yeol” as they rampaged through the building.
Police reinforcements entered the court at 3:32 a.m., about 11 minutes after the violence began, and dispersed the protesters. By 6 a.m., the majority had been subdued. A total of 45 individuals were arrested on charges, including unlawful entry, bringing the number of arrests to 85, including the 40 detained the previous day for similar actions.
Outside the court, clashes continued as protesters harassed journalists, seized camera memory cards, and confronted bystanders, accusing them of opposing their cause.
A police official said that additional arrests could follow as the investigation proceeds. The violence left several officers injured.
Yoon is South Korea's first president arrested while in office. Judge Cha of the court approved the arrest warrant on the charges of insurrection and abuse of power. She cited concerns that he could destroy evidence.
reporter
Kim Joo-heon
jhkim123@ajunews.com
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