Synopsis
On January 19, 2023, President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea declined to attend a scheduled detention investigation, leading to unrest among his supporters. The situation escalated as they stormed the court, prompting government officials to call for a thorough investigation into the violence and to ensure peaceful demonstrations.Key Takeaways
- Yoon Suk-yeol refused to attend a detention investigation.
- The CIO may implement compulsory measures if Yoon continues to decline.
- Supporters reacted violently, leading to multiple arrests.
- The acting president condemned the violence.
- The Supreme Court labeled the actions a challenge to the rule of law.
Seoul, Jan 19 (NationPress) The detained President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, declined to participate in a scheduled detention investigation on Sunday afternoon, as reported by local news agencies.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) stated that Yoon did not appear for the investigation set for 2 p.m. local time. The state anti-corruption agency plans to request Yoon's presence again at 10 a.m. on Monday.
If Yoon persists in refusing to cooperate, the CIO may contemplate mandatory actions such as transferring him from the detention center for questioning or conducting the investigation on-site at the detention facility, as per Yonhap News Agency.
The Seoul Western District Court gave the green light for the detention warrant early Sunday, marking Yoon as the first sitting president in South Korea to face such a situation.
Following the warrant's approval, some furious supporters of Yoon forcefully entered the court building, climbing walls and shattering windows.
They caused damage to the court's facilities, littered the area with trash and various items, and threatened law enforcement officers. Reports indicate that 86 individuals were detained during the chaos.
This riot led Choi Sang-mok, the acting President, to call for a thorough investigation into the violence. Choi expressed the government's strong disapproval of the unlawful actions, stating it was unacceptable in a democratic society.
He instructed law enforcement to rigorously investigate the incident, ensuring that lawbreakers would face legal repercussions while also directing authorities to enhance security around relevant sites and manage protests against Yoon's ongoing detention effectively.
The nation's highest court condemned the violence exhibited by the arrested president's supporters, labeling it a serious challenge to the rule of law.
Chun Dae-yup, the head of national court administration under the Supreme Court, expressed his concerns and regret regarding the breach by some protesters at the Seoul Western District Court.
Chun emphasized that such actions reflect a fundamental denial of and a severe challenge to the rule of law, which is intolerable and must be addressed with comprehensive fact-checking and accountability for those involved.
Yoon, currently detained on charges related to being the ringleader of an insurrection, issued a statement through his legal representative acknowledging the discontent and anger of his supporters but urged them to express their views in a peaceful manner.
Local media further reported that some of Yoon's supporters gathered once again outside the Seoul Western District Court Sunday afternoon, while others reportedly marched towards the constitutional court.
