Seobu District Court Assault Incident 'Blame Game'...Warrant Fairness vs. Ruling Party, Supporter Agitation

Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash at Legislation and Judiciary Committee Meeting
Opposition Targets Yoon Sang-hyun, Accusing Him of "Orchestrating Behind the Scenes"
Ruling Party Argues, "Lee Jae-myung Not Detained Despite Evidence of Crime"

On the 20th, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the main causes of the disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court. The Democratic Party criticized ruling party lawmakers, including Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party, accusing them of inciting supporters of President Yoon Suk-yeol. Meanwhile, the People Power Party argued that the arrest warrant for President Yoon was issued unfairly compared to prominent opposition figures such as Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, and blamed the police for treating the protesters unfairly.

Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-kyo referred to Rep. Yoon as a "provocation patient" during an emergency inquiry at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee regarding the "illegal intrusion and riot at the Seoul Western District Court building." She criticized, "Because of Rep. Yoon, young people climbed over the court wall and were arrested," adding, "Everyone who heard him say 'They will soon be released'?what do you think they would do?" Present at the inquiry were Acting Minister of Justice Kim Seok-woo, Chief Cheon, and Director Lee Wan-gyu of the Ministry of Government Legislation.

Earlier, on the 18th, the day before the Seoul Western District Court incident, Rep. Yoon told supporters of President Yoon Suk-yeol, "Seventeen young people climbed over the (Western District Court) wall and are now in detention, so I spoke with police officials. They will probably be released soon." In response to criticism from the opposition, Rep. Yoon posted on Facebook, "Until around 10 p.m., when I left the scene in front of the court, there was no sign of violence or disturbance. How can this be called incitement to violence?"

Park Eun-jung of the Innovation Party also intensified criticism toward People Power Party lawmakers and President Yoon's associates. Park questioned, "People Power Party floor leader Kwon Seong-dong said the police overreacted, and Kim Min-jeon brought the Baekgol-dan to the National Assembly. Did the Baekgol-dan participate in that riotous behavior or not?" She also accused lawmaker Cho Bae-sook of legally orchestrating the riot by urging the exercise of the right to resist. Park further claimed that Seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer for President Yoon's legal team, was inciting the riot and emphasized that the Korean Bar Association should discipline him.

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On the other hand, the People Power Party protested the opposition lawmakers' claims and argued that the issuance of the arrest warrant by the Seoul Western District Court was excessive. Rep. Jang Dong-hyuk questioned the court's judgment on the case involving Lee Jae-myung, saying, "Regarding the opposition leader's charge of witness tampering, the court acknowledged the crime but dismissed the warrant due to no risk of evidence destruction. However, all those involved in the charge of treason have been arrested and indicted, and President Yoon is under protection. What risk of evidence destruction is there?" Rep. Song Seok-jun also pointed out, "For someone (Lee Jae-myung), the principle of non-custodial investigation was emphasized, and the right to self-defense was guaranteed, considering that he is subject to public oversight and criticism, so he was not detained. Then, is President Yoon not subject to public oversight?"

In response, Cheon Dae-yeop, Chief of the Court Administration Office (Supreme Court Justice), stated, "These matters (warrant outcomes) are ultimately individual trial issues. While various post-judgment criticisms and evaluations are possible, the trials conducted under judicial order must be respected."

People Power Party lawmakers also raised claims that the police response exacerbated the situation. After sharing a video of the Seoul Western District Court incident early the previous morning, Rep. Cho Bae-sook questioned, "The side door here is now being breached. They should block it, but they are just moving aside," adding, "They are opening the entrance. Shouldn't the police block it until the end? Of course, there are claims that because some people had already entered, other measures were taken." In response, Justice Committee Chairperson Jung Cheong-rae raised his voice, saying, "The rioters have already broken furniture, entered offices, and are trespassing. We should blame the riot, not the police." Rep. Kwak Gyu-taek of the People Power Party also said, "The court should have fully anticipated such an event and prepared thoroughly," adding, "The Western District Court faces a main road, so protest disturbances can immediately have an impact there."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.