People Power Party "Understanding the sorrow of Yoon supporters... Urging restraint in clashes"

Seizing Police Shields and Assaulting Officers Before Entering the Courthouse
Damaging Courthouse Windows and Exterior Walls, Throwing Fire Extinguishers
Emergency Committee: "Violent Protests Help No One"

The People Power Party appealed to supporters who stormed the Seoul Western District Court on the 19th, breaking windows and causing disturbances in protest of President Yoon Seok-yeol's detention, urging them to "exercise restraint to prevent further clashes."

On the morning of the same day, the People Power Party Emergency Response Committee stated, "We fully understand the sorrow and grief of supporters who stayed up all night watching President Yoon's pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) in the cold weather," and made this request.

They added, "However, protesting through violent means such as entering the court building does not help anyone."

On the afternoon of the 18th, when the pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) for President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was arrested on charges of leading an insurrection and abuse of authority, was held, supporters of President Yoon held a rally in front of the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the previous day, Chief Judge Cha Eun-kyung of the Seoul Western District Court held a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) for President Yoon, who is accused of leading a rebellion and abuse of power obstructing the exercise of rights, and around 3 a.m. on the 19th, issued an arrest warrant citing "concerns over evidence destruction."

After President Yoon was detained, enraged supporters seized shields and plastic chairs from the police, smashed the courthouse's main gate and windows, and entered the court around 3:21 a.m. During this process, they assaulted police officers with light batons and police shields, dismantled barricades, and even threw fire extinguishers inside the courthouse.

The police deployed a large number of personnel and arrested about 30 supporters who had stormed the Seoul Western District Court on the spot. However, as of 5 a.m. that day, some supporters were attempting to re-enter through the back gate of the Seoul Western District Court.

Separately, the People Power Party expressed that it "deeply regrets the court's decision" regarding President Yoon's detention.

Shin Dong-wook, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, said, "Above all, as the sitting president, there is absolutely no risk of flight or evidence destruction. Given the ongoing controversies over whether the Corruption Investigation Office has jurisdiction over the rebellion charge, various illegal acts, and other issues, it is questionable whether the repercussions of detaining a sitting president were fully considered," and urged, "Any subsequent judicial procedures must be conducted fairly and carefully without any controversy or flaws."

On the 18th, when the warrant hearing for President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is accused of leading an insurrection and abuse of authority, was held, supporters of President Yoon who trespassed over the fence of the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, were detained by the police. Photo by Yonhap News

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