Tensions escalated in South Korea as supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol stormed the Seoul Western District Court early Sunday following the extension of his detention. Yoon, arrested earlier this week during a dawn raid, became the first sitting South Korean president to face such legal action. His supporters, numbering tens of thousands, had gathered outside the court on Saturday, protesting his impeachment and detention.
Chaos erupted around 3:00 am local time when the court ruled to extend Yoon’s detention by 20 days, citing concerns about evidence tampering. Enraged demonstrators smashed windows and forced their way into the court building, prompting hundreds of police officers to intervene. Dozens were arrested in what authorities called an “intolerable illegal and violent incident.”
The political crisis stems from Yoon’s controversial decision on December 3 to impose martial law, citing alleged election fraud during last year’s legislative polls, though no evidence has been provided. His declaration, which lasted just six hours before being overruled by lawmakers, led to his impeachment and suspension from office.
Yoon has vowed to “fight to the end” as he faces a Constitutional Court ruling on his impeachment and a criminal probe for insurrection. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or even execution. His absence from the impeachment hearings has added to the uncertainty, with the Constitutional Court expected to decide his fate soon. Should the court uphold his impeachment, South Korea will hold new presidential elections within 60 days.
The president’s detention has galvanized his base, including evangelical Christians and right-wing activists, who liken their cause to the “stop the steal” movement in the United States. These groups frequently display American flags at rallies, echoing rhetoric used by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s supporters during the January 6 Capitol riot.
South Korea’s acting police chief, Lee Ho-young, has pledged to investigate the involvement of right-wing YouTubers in orchestrating the violent court break-in. Legal experts, including political columnist Yoo Jung-hoon, warn that such actions could lead to severe consequences for participants.
As prosecutors prepare to file formal insurrection charges, Yoon’s future hangs in the balance. His lawyer has urged supporters to avoid further violence, cautioning that such actions could jeopardize the president’s legal defense. Meanwhile, the nation watches as one of its most unprecedented political crises unfolds.
