Two men charged in the Seoul Western District Court riot have each been sentenced to 1 year and 6 months and 1 year in prison, respectively. This incident occurred on Jan. 19 when a warrant for the arrest of then-President Yoon Suk-yeol was issued by the Western District Court, leading his supporters to storm the court.
On the 14th, Judge Kim Jin-sung of the Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Western District Court sentenced Mr. Kim (35) and Mr. So (28), who were indicted on charges of special trespass and damage to special public property, to 1 year and 6 months and 1 year in prison, respectively. This is the first ruling regarding the Western District Court riot incident.
Mr. Kim is accused of throwing bricks and sewer covers at the exterior wall of the Western District Court, damaging the wall, and physically pushing police officers multiple times. Mr. So is accused of throwing a flowerpot saucer at a glass door of the court and breaking the glass.
During the trial, Judge Kim Jin-sung noted, "This incident involved acts of power demonstrated by multiple individuals, with the target being the court," adding, "The determination and obsession that the issuance of warrants by the judiciary of the Republic of Korea should be interpreted and defined as a political conspiracy, necessitating immediate retaliation and revenge, resulted in this crime." He continued, "The defendants committed the crime impulsively, are first-time offenders, and show a sincere attitude of remorse" as he explained the reasons for the sentence.
Judge Kim stated to the defendants, Mr. Kim and Mr. So, who received prison sentences, "I do not think today’s ruling is correct. Rather, it is a matter of decision and resolution. The ruling does not determine the course of the defendants' lives. I hope you live the rest of your lives as yourselves."
Regarding the Western District Court riot incident, he said, "I believe that both the court and the police are victims. I think everyone is still in the process of recovery. I hope citizens continue to pay attention not only to the judiciary but also to the police, prosecution, courts, and politics during this difficult time for the Republic of Korea."
According to the police, 95 individuals have been arrested and indicted in connection with the Western District Court riot, and one has been indicted without detention. Sentencing for four defendants charged with trespassing and injury is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 16th. On the 28th, there will be sentencing for two defendants related to the incident in which a video journalist was assaulted.