hankyoreh

Early in the morning on Jan. 19, 2025, following the issue of a warrant for the confinement of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, supporters of the president shattered windows and glass doors while storming the Seoul Western District Court. (still from Rock TV on YouTube)

A line has been crossed.

After South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol used the military in an attempt to seize the legislature with the National Assembly, far-right demonstrators backing him have now assaulted the judiciary by storming a courthouse.

To resort to violence simply because one does not approve of a court’s decision is an antisocial act that lays utter waste to the rule of law and democratic principles that underpin our society. For the sake of that society, it is the sort of behavior that absolutely cannot be condoned.

It falls upon Yoon, the People Power Party, and the others who bear responsibility for this incident to reflect profoundly. In the wake of the insurrection attempt on Dec. 3 of last year, South Korean society now stands at a crossroads.

As word spread at around 3 am on Sunday that a formal detention warrant had been issued for Yoon, hundreds of supporters massed in front of the Seoul Western District Court stormed the building. They busted windows, threw furniture, and stalked around the courthouse searching for the judge who granted the warrant.

It was a lawless riot. Eighty-six demonstrators ended up arrested on charges that included obstruction of official operations and vandalism.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok ordered the Korean National Police Agency to “investigate thoroughly according to the law and principles,” while the agency’s acting commissioner, Lee Ho-young, declared plans to “thoroughly investigate the responsibility behind the violent demonstration.”

While there had been incidents in the past of demonstrators clashing with police, this is the first time in the Republic of Korea’s history that they have stormed a courthouse. It is an incident that could replay itself if those responsible are not properly punished. A thorough investigation and punishments are necessary to maintain the cornerstone of our society.

It goes without saying that the lion’s share of responsibility for this incident lies with Yoon himself.

Since his insurrection attempt, he has adhered to a strategy of disregard for the judiciary: refusing to comply with investigators, insisting on the “illegality” of lawful court-issued warrants, and staging an “occupation” of his presidential residence. He has also lent support to the far-right supporters, whom he said he was “watching on YouTube,” and egged them on with promises to “fight to the end.” His behaviors show an utter disregard for the rule of law.

In response to indications that the violence might cause public opinion to sour, Yoon belatedly issued a statement in which he pleaded for people to “make themselves heard in peaceful ways.” Yet he also showed his support for the violent demonstrators with his remarks about how he “fully understood [them] feeling wronged and angry” and about the police “resolving the situation with a tolerant stance.”

Most importantly, he gives no indication whatsoever of feeling any responsibility for the incident. In an emergency committee meeting the same day, the People Power Party stressed that “violence is unacceptable,” yet it also bafflingly called for an “investigation of the excessive response by police.” How can the PPP present itself as being a democratic popular party unless it washes its hands of violent far-right demonstrators?

Additionally, far-right YouTubers have been driving forces behind everything up to and including the demonstrators’ storming of the courthouse. These figures previously incited demonstrators in front of Yoon’s Hannam residence with their live broadcasts. Since then, they have increased the tenor of their rhetoric to the point of calls for a courthouse rampage.

These far-right YouTubers are becoming a physical threat to South Korean society. Their incitement of violence also needs to be thoroughly investigated.

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]