One Protester Arrested for Assaulting Reporter During 'Seobu District Court Riot'... "Risk of Flight"

by Kim Bokyung

Published 27 Jan.2025 20:42(KST)

Supporters of President Yoon Suk-yeol broke into the Seoul Western District Court on the 19th afternoon, causing an illegal violent incident. Inside the Western District Court, an office and furnishings were damaged. Photo by Yonhap News

A protester accused of assaulting a reporter and damaging equipment during the disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court has been detained.

Judge Lee Seung-eun (duty judge) of the Seoul Western District Court conducted a pre-arrest detention hearing for suspect A, who is charged with robbery and injury, on the 27th and issued an arrest warrant citing "risk of flight." The court explained, "The victim is a reporter from a media outlet, and equipment was damaged."

Suspect A is accused of assaulting a media reporter during the 'Western District Court disturbance' that occurred after an arrest warrant was issued for President Yoon Seok-yeol in the early hours of the 19th.

At that time, supporters of President Yoon who stormed the Western District Court reportedly broke into the judge's office on the 7th floor, destroying office furniture and damaging the exterior walls.

Earlier, nine nationwide media organizations condemned the assault on journalists, stating, "The destruction of democracy took place in the heart of Seoul," and demanded, "Every last perpetrator must be found and severely punished for treason to restore the foundation of the Republic of Korea."