S. Korea's acting president orders investigation into court violence of Yoon's supporters-Xinhua

S. Korea's acting president orders investigation into court violence of Yoon's supporters

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2025-01-19 13:43:00

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows the policemen deployed near the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul, South Korea. The Seoul Western District Court issued a detention warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol early Sunday morning over his failed martial law attempt. With the warrant, Yoon's detention will be extended to up to 20 days, including the arrest period. After the approval of the warrant, some of Yoon's supporters protesting outside the court climbed over the court's rear fence and threw stones to shatter windows. In response, a significant police force was deployed to disperse the protesters. (NEWSIS via Xinhua)

SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok on Sunday ordered a stern investigation into the violence of the supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol at a Seoul court that granted a warrant for Yoon's extended detention.

Choi said in a statement that the government expresses strong regret over illegal violence, which is unimaginable in a democratic society.

The acting president ordered the police to sternly investigate the incident, vowing to hold violators legally responsible.

He instructed relevant authorities to tighten security around relevant facilities and thoroughly manage protest rallies against Yoon's extended detention.

The Seoul Western District Court issued the warrant early Sunday to detain the already arrested Yoon for up to 20 days over his martial law imposition, making Yoon the country's first sitting president to be formally arrested.

Following the decision, some of the enraged supporters of Yoon stormed the court building by climbing over walls and breaking windows.

They vandalized facilities inside the court, threw trash and other objects, and threatened police officers. The number of violators who were apprehended at the scene was 86, according to multiple media outlets.

The impeachment motion against Yoon was passed in the National Assembly on Dec. 14 last year and was delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power is suspended.

Yoon, who was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader on an insurrection charge, declared martial law on the night of Dec. 3 last year but it was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a damaged building at the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul, South Korea. The Seoul Western District Court issued a detention warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol early Sunday morning over his failed martial law attempt.

With the warrant, Yoon's detention will be extended to up to 20 days, including the arrest period.

After the approval of the warrant, some of Yoon's supporters protesting outside the court climbed over the court's rear fence and threw stones to shatter windows. In response, a significant police force was deployed to disperse the protesters. (NEWSIS via Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a damaged building at the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul, South Korea. The Seoul Western District Court issued a detention warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol early Sunday morning over his failed martial law attempt.

With the warrant, Yoon's detention will be extended to up to 20 days, including the arrest period.

After the approval of the warrant, some of Yoon's supporters protesting outside the court climbed over the court's rear fence and threw stones to shatter windows. In response, a significant police force was deployed to disperse the protesters. (NEWSIS via Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a damaged building at the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul, South Korea. The Seoul Western District Court issued a detention warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol early Sunday morning over his failed martial law attempt.

With the warrant, Yoon's detention will be extended to up to 20 days, including the arrest period.

After the approval of the warrant, some of Yoon's supporters protesting outside the court climbed over the court's rear fence and threw stones to shatter windows. In response, a significant police force was deployed to disperse the protesters. (NEWSIS via Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows the policemen deployed near the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul, South Korea. The Seoul Western District Court issued a detention warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol early Sunday morning over his failed martial law attempt.

With the warrant, Yoon's detention will be extended to up to 20 days, including the arrest period.

After the approval of the warrant, some of Yoon's supporters protesting outside the court climbed over the court's rear fence and threw stones to shatter windows. In response, a significant police force was deployed to disperse the protesters. (NEWSIS via Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows the policemen (rear) deployed in front of the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul, South Korea. The Seoul Western District Court issued a detention warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol early Sunday morning over his failed martial law attempt.

With the warrant, Yoon's detention will be extended to up to 20 days, including the arrest period.

After the approval of the warrant, some of Yoon's supporters protesting outside the court climbed over the court's rear fence and threw stones to shatter windows. In response, a significant police force was deployed to disperse the protesters. (NEWSIS via Xinhua)