Seoul: The Supreme Court has upheld guilty verdicts for 18 individuals involved in a courthouse riot that occurred in January last year. The incident was sparked by a court decision to maintain former President Yoon Suk Yeol's detention over his unsuccessful bid to impose martial law.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Supreme Court confirmed the lower court's rulings, which sentenced 17 individuals to prison terms or suspended sentences for charges including trespassing. The riot took place at the Seoul Western District Court on January 19, 2025, following the court's decision on Yoon's detention.
Among those convicted, documentary filmmaker Jung Yoon-suk received a 2 million-won (US$1,346) fine for trespassing, despite his argument that his presence was solely for recording the event. The court did not accept his claims and upheld the fine.
The riot began when supporters of Yoon, who were protesting outside the court, forcefully entered the premises, causing damage to windows and court property. Notably, one defendant was sentenced to four years in prison for assaulting a police officer and vandalizing a glass door with a steel bar, while another was given a three-year sentence for kicking and damaging a door lock.
After the ruling, Jung Yoon-suk expressed dissatisfaction with the decision and indicated plans to consider filing a constitutional appeal. Initially, prosecutors had indicted 63 individuals for their alleged participation in the riot in February of the previous year.
In response to the incident, Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae highlighted the severity of the actions, labeling them as a "total denial of the rule of law" and expressing concern over acts of terror against members of the judiciary.