Yoon supporters break into South Korean court after president’s detention extended
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Nearly 40 people treated for injuries as 46 arrested for violence. Supporters of South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol broke into a court building early Sunday after his detention was extended, injuring many police officers in the ensuing chaos. Mr Yoon became the first sitting president of South Korea to be arrested on Wednesday, a month after he stunned the world by imposing martial law, which was swiftly revoked by a parliamentary vote.
![[Supporters of Yoon Suk Yeol confront police outside the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/19/10/2193908420.jpg)
Shortly after the decision to extend his detention was announced at 3am local time, angry supporters of Mr Yoon breached the court by breaking through police lines, shattering the entrance doors and windows of the building. Videos showed the protesters blasting fire extinguishers at lines of police guarding the front entrance, then flooding inside and destroying office equipment, fittings and furniture.
![[A protester jumps over a fence at the court during a rally]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/19/10/2025-01-18T095434Z_30847837_RC29CCAZ4GL8_RTRMADP_3_SOUTHKOREA-POLITICS.jpg)
They used plastic chairs, metal beams and police shields they had managed to wrestle away from officers. Many of them tried to reach the judge who had issued the warrant, but she had already left. Police restored order a few hours later after arresting at least 46 protesters and vowing to track down the others involved.
![[Supporters of Yoon Suk Yeol walk past the destroyed wall at the Seoul Western District Court]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/19/10/2194016301.jpg)
“The government expresses strong regret over the illegal violence...which is unimaginable in a democratic society," acting president Choi Sang Mok said in a statement, adding that authorities would step up safety measures around gatherings. Nine police officers were injured in the chaos, state news agency Yonhap said.
![[Police officers patrol inside Seoul Western District Court after supporters of impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol broke into the court on 19 January 2025]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/19/05/South_Korea_Martial_Law_15950.jpg)
