On January 19, the Seoul Western District Court officially issued an arrest warrant for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, extending his detention by 20 days in connection with his controversial declaration of martial law last month.
According to AP, this decision has sparked a wave of anger from supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol. They attacked the police and injured many officers. About 90 people were arrested in these clashes.
Yonhap said a group of supporters of Yoon Suk Yeol smashed windows and stormed into the court. They threw plastic chairs and trash at police while the crowd chanted "President Yoon Suk Yeol!, President Yoon!".
Video shared on social media showed some people destroying computers and office furniture inside the courthouse, and breaking tiles outside the building.
President Yoon Suk-yeol was previously impeached and suspended from office after declaring martial law on December 3, 2024, a move widely seen as aimed at squelching opposition from the National Assembly. The Constitutional Court is currently considering whether to remove him from office, with a 180-day deadline for a ruling.
President Yoon's legal team has argued that the declaration of martial law was a "governance act" aimed at preventing legislative gridlock and opposition-led impeachments. However, investigators are closely examining his intentions and actions during the crisis.
The current situation reflects deep divisions in South Korean politics, with President Yoon's supporters continuing to hold protests and express outrage at court decisions.
