Police: "86 Detained for Storming Western District Court, Under Investigation... Strict Action to Be Taken"

by Park Joonyi

Published 19 Jan.2025 09:52(KST)

"46 More Detained for Rioting and Property Damage"

The police announced that they have detained and are investigating 86 individuals who committed illegal acts, including storming the Seoul Western District Court over two days.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated on the 19th that they have detained 86 people who collectively engaged in illegal activities in front of the Seoul Western District Court since the previous day and are conducting dispersed investigations. The police have formed a dedicated investigation team under the command of the head of the Seoul Police Investigation Department, and are investigating those detained on that day at 18 police stations.

According to the police, on the 18th, 40 people were detained for obstructing official duties during a gathering in front of the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, where President Yoon Seok-yeol’s pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) was taking place. These individuals obstructed court officials and interfered with vehicles of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (Gongu-cheo).

Yonhap News

In the early hours of the same day, after a detention warrant was issued for President Yoon, an additional 46 people were detained for collectively storming the court building and causing property damage in a riotous manner.

The police are investigating those detained the previous day at the investigation divisions of 11 police stations, and have assigned the criminal divisions of 7 police stations to handle the supporters detained additionally on that day. Furthermore, one team from the Criminal Mobile Unit has been designated as a dedicated team to analyze collected evidence and track down those who committed illegal acts as well as instigators and accomplices.

A police official stated, “We plan to thoroughly investigate the illegal acts that occurred over two days at the Western District Court and strictly prosecute them.”