Protests in Seoul, South Korea, against President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to impose martial law, escalated into violent clashes with police and court officials. The unrest highlights similarities between Maga ideologues’ attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election result and far-right protests in South Korea.
In the early hours of Sunday, rioters stormed a western district court building, seeking to detain Judge Lee, who issued a warrant for Yoon’s arrest over allegations of insurrection. The attack left 51 police officers injured, including seven seriously, while broadcast journalists were attacked and their equipment damaged.
Similarities between Maga ideologues’ actions and far-right protesters in South Korea cannot be ignored. Both groups have employed tactics such as “stop the steal” placards, Maga-inspired attire, and unfounded conspiracy theories to influence public opinion.
Critics of Yoon’s decision to impose martial law describe it as a grave injustice that threatens the country’s democratic process. Senior judges and politicians have condemned the scenes of violence at the courthouse, while Yoon has called on his supporters to protest peacefully.
The Korean Bar Association issued a warning that “threats against courts cannot be tolerated” and is calling for a swift and strict investigation into the perpetrators. As the battle for South Korea’s political future unfolds, concerns about the rule of law and the stability of democracy in the country are growing.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/20/has-south-korea-just-witnessed-its-own-january-6-moment