Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae Visits Western District Court, Pledges "Support for Safe Working Conditions"

Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae of the Supreme Court visited the Seoul Western District Court, where illegal violent incidents by President Yoon Seok-yeol's fervent supporters occurred, to encourage judges and staff and pledged support for the normalization of the courthouse.

Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae is moving to attend a meeting of Supreme Court justices at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 20th to discuss measures to resolve the Seoul Western District Court intrusion and illegal occupation incident. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

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According to the Court Administration Office under the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Cho visited the Western District Court at 3 p.m. on the 22nd to inspect the damage to the facilities and the progress of restoration, and met with staff from the Civil Application Division and others who suffered significant damage to encourage them.

At the meeting, security management teams and court staff who were present at the scene of the incident attended and explained the situation at that time. Chief Justice Cho said, "The Court Administration Office will also provide maximum support so that the Western District Court can be normalized and work safely," adding, "We will also prepare psychological healing measures for the members of the Western District Court who have suffered mental shock and difficulties."

The National Council of Judges also expressed strong concern about the attack on the Seoul Western District Court on the same day. In a statement, the council said, "Attacking the court collectively and violently because of trials is an act that infringes on the functions of the judiciary and undermines the foundation of the constitutional order, and can never be tolerated."

It added, "Judges nationwide will fulfill their responsibilities entrusted by the Constitution and laws by conducting fair trials without wavering in the face of any threats," and "We ask for the public's interest and cooperation to protect the functions of the judiciary and the independence of judges."

Earlier, in the early hours of the 19th, when the Seoul Western District Court issued an arrest warrant against President Yoon, fervent supporters opposing this broke into the courthouse for about three hours, damaging visible property. They even broke into the 7th floor of the courthouse, saying they would find the judge who issued the warrant.

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