Kim Jae-won, Ultimately Using 'Holy War·Crusade' for Western District Court Riot

Clarifying the Controversy Over Defending the Western District Court Riot
Conservative Figures Continue to Make Statements Inciting Protesters
Opposition Party Criticizes: "People Power Party Also Responsible for the Incident"

Controversy is growing over the ruling party's use of expressions such as 'holy war (聖戰)' and 'crusaders' regarding the violent incident that occurred at the Seoul Western District Court following the arrest of President Yoon Suk-yeol. As the backlash intensified, Kim Jae-won, a former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party and the person responsible for the remarks, belatedly deleted his SNS post, stating that he had "no intention of defending" the comments.

Earlier on the 19th, Kim posted on Facebook, "The asphalt crusaders who are participating in President Yoon's lonely and difficult holy war have raised a magnificent army," defending the rioters. He added, "The opponent in this holy war is naturally Lee Jae-myung, the monster of the 'anti-state forces,'" and "I sincerely hope for President Yoon's victory. I salute the crusader warriors who have risen together." He likened the supporters who stormed the Seoul Western District Court to medieval crusaders.

Controversy is growing within the ruling party over the use of expressions such as "holy war" and "crusaders" regarding the violent incident that occurred at the Seoul Western District Court following the arrest of President Yoon Seok-yeol. As the backlash intensified, Kim Jae-won, former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party and the person responsible for the remarks, belatedly deleted his SNS post, stating he "does not intend to defend" them. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

When criticism arose that the post was defending the violent protesters, Kim reversed his position, saying, "It was merely a message of thanks to those who shared President Yoon's will, supported, and helped him. I have absolutely no intention of defending the violent incident." He later explained, "I wrote the post reflecting on past years while watching the time of President Yoon's arrest," and "I expressed gratitude to many who shared President Yoon's will and supported and helped him during the process of his resistance while asserting his own claims." He clarified, "The terms 'crusaders' and 'holy war' were used in that context only, and I have no intention of defending the violent incident at the Seoul Western District Court, nor was the post written with such meaning." He added, "Nevertheless, due to inaccurate reports, I deleted two sentences."

Not only Kim Jae-won but also Yoon Sang-hyun, a People Power Party lawmaker, said the day before that when some protesters climbed over the court wall and were arrested by the police, "I spoke with the police officials because 17 young people were in detention after climbing the wall, and I expect they will be released soon." Hwang Kyo-ahn, former leader of the United Future Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party), announced on Facebook that he had visited the arrested supporters of President Yoon and would provide them with free legal defense. He also said he would raise funds to cover their legal fees.

The Democratic Party: "The ruling party is rather fueling the situation"

On the 18th, when the pre-arrest detention hearing for President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is accused of leading an insurrection, was held, supporters of President Yoon who unlawfully trespassed over the court fence at the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, were apprehended by the police. Photo by Yonhap News

The Democratic Party strongly criticized these remarks, pointing out that the ruling party is actually exacerbating the situation. After a closed Supreme Council meeting that day, Chief Spokesperson Cho Seung-rae told reporters, "The People Power Party cannot escape responsibility either," emphasizing the party's accountability regarding the incident. Cho pointed out, "They brought the 'Baekgoltan,' regarded as a symbol of political violence and political terrorism, into the National Assembly, and although they apologized, they praised them by saying, 'Still, the young people's loyalty is commendable,' didn't they?"

He continued, "There are also people who incited others by saying that they should go to Seoul Detention Center to bring out the president," adding, "Could these situations be understood as causes that led to the riot at the Seoul Western District Court early this morning?" After a Supreme Council meeting, spokesperson Han Min-soo criticized Presidential Secretary General Jeong Jin-seok's Facebook post, in which Jeong said, "The public will judge whether (the emergency martial law) is a riot aimed at disrupting the constitution or an emergency measure to stop constitutional disruption," asking, "Is Secretary Jeong defending the riot?"

Meanwhile, following the news of the issuance of an arrest warrant for President Yoon, some supporters entered the court building around 3 a.m., committing acts of violence such as breaking the court's glass windows and furniture. According to the police, a total of 86 people were detained for collective illegal acts in front of the Western District Court from the 18th to the 19th. It was also reported that at least 30 police officers were injured while trying to stop them.