SEOUL: The Supreme Court chief justice will hold an emergency meeting of justices this week over the impact of violent protesters storming a local court due to a decision to formally arrest President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, officials said Sunday (Jan 19).
Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae will convene a meeting of justices Monday morning to share information about the incident and how to restore the rule of law, including normalising court functions and preventing the recurrence of a similar incident, according to court officials.
Supporters of impeached President Yoon broke into the Seoul Western District Court earlier in the day in anger over the court's decision to formally arrest Yoon for his short-lived martial law declaration on Dec 3. Police have apprehended at least 86 such protesters.
The incident "did not just damage the court building, but it means an outright denial and a grave violation of the foundation of constitutionalism and the legal system that buttress our nation and society," Chun Dae-yup, head of the Office of Court Administration, wrote on a court internal network.
Earlier in the day, the district court issued a warrant to formally arrest Yoon, citing the risk of destroying evidence related to allegations of insurrection and abuse of power during Yoon's imposition of martial law.
In response, Yoon's supporters forcefully entered the court by climbing over walls and breaking windows while hurling plastic chairs, trash and other objects, and spraying a fire extinguisher at police officers stationed around the building. - Yonhap
