South Korea’s president Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday and his detention was extended by a court on Sunday, sparking widespread rioting and attacks on the courthouse. Hundreds of his supporters stormed the building, overwhelming riot police, and causing significant damage.
The acting leader described the violence as “unimaginable” in a statement, vowing to step up safety measures at gatherings. Nine police officers were injured in the chaos, while about 40 people suffered minor injuries. Several protesters live-streamed their actions on YouTube, showing destruction of court property and chants of Yoon’s name.
Yoon faces allegations of insurrection related to his declaration of martial law on December 3, which has plunged the country into political turmoil. The Supreme Court is now deliberating whether to permanently remove him from office or restore his powers.
The conservative People Power Party, which Yoon leads, called the court’s decision a “great pity,” while the main opposition Democratic Party hailed it as a “cornerstone” for rebuilding order. Support for the PPP has surged since Yoon declared martial law, but the opposition has also seen an uptick in support. The crisis continues to deepen, with anti-Yoon demonstrations taking place across the city and a rally in support of Yoon drawing thousands.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/18/asia/south-korea-court-extends-yoon-detention-intl-latam/index.html