Hundreds of supporters of South Korea’s detained president, Yoon Suk Yeol, stormed a court building early Sunday after his detention was extended, shattering windows and breaking inside—a move that the acting president, Choi Sang-mok, called “unimaginable” in a democratic society.
Yoon became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested on Wednesday, facing insurrection charges linked to his controversial December 3 martial law declaration, which lasted only hours but threw the nation into political chaos.
Following the court’s decision to extend his detention, announced at around 3 a.m. local time Sunday, his supporters clashed with riot police, overwhelmed security barriers, and forced their way into the Seoul Western District Court. Protesters used fire extinguishers against police and vandalized the premises, damaging office equipment and furniture, as seen in live-streamed footage on YouTube. Police regained control after a few hours, arresting 46 protesters and pledging to track down others involved. Nine police officers and approximately 40 civilians sustained minor injuries during the unrest, according to local reports.
Acting President Choi condemned the violence, emphasizing the need for stronger security around public gatherings. “Illegal violence like this is unacceptable in a democratic society,” he stated.
Yoon is being held in a solitary cell at the Seoul Detention Center after the court granted a new warrant extending his custody for up to 20 days, citing concerns he might destroy evidence. The former prosecutor-turned-president has refused to cooperate with investigators, who summoned him for questioning on Sunday. His lawyers argue the arrest is unlawful due to jurisdictional errors and procedural overreach.
Insurrection, the charge Yoon could face, carries the death penalty in South Korea, though no executions have been carried out in nearly three decades. His legal team has vowed to fight the charges, calling the violence at the court “unfortunate” but insisting they will “correct the wrong” through legal avenues.
The Constitutional Court is separately deliberating whether to permanently remove Yoon from office following his impeachment by parliament on December 14. Meanwhile, Yoon’s conservative People Power Party criticized the court’s decision to extend his detention, calling it a “great pity,” while the opposition Democratic Party praised it as a “cornerstone” for restoring order.
The political turmoil has reshaped public opinion, with Yoon’s party recovering in polls after months of decline. A recent Gallup Korea survey showed the People Power Party narrowly leading the opposition Democratic Party, 39% to 36%.
On Sunday morning, thousands of Yoon supporters held a peaceful rally in downtown Seoul, while anti-Yoon protests continued to unfold across the city.
