Thorough Investigation Urged Over Western District Court Riot
"Martial Law Used as a Tool of Incitement by Far-Right Forces"
Columnist Heo Ji-woong expressed his deep distress over the riot by supporters of President Yoon Suk-yeol at the Seoul Western District Court.
On the 19th, Heo Ji-woong posted a lengthy message on his social media (SNS), expressing profound concern about the political situation. He referred to the essence and historical examples of the mob as articulated by German-born American political philosopher Hannah Arendt, pointing out the dangers of both the far right and far left, the two extremes. In particular, mentioning the cases of the German Nazis and Mao Zedong's Red Guards, Heo emphasized that mobs are characterized as "surplus forces filled with despair and hatred." He explained, "They want to act under one powerful ideology by exploiting their sense of alienation and are ready to endure glorious sacrifice," warning of the dangers posed by powers that manipulate them.
He continued, "The far right and far left never change their stance no matter what happens," and pointed out, "The majority of the middle class choose based on momentary emotions, and when mobs are incited, they inevitably follow, distorting society as a whole." In particular, he criticized the current situation as being similar to the way Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels manipulated public opinion and divided society.
On the morning of the 20th, a day after some supporters stormed inside the Seoul Western District Court causing an illegal violent incident following President Yoon Seok-yeol's arrest on charges of leading a rebellion, the damage marks remained intact at the Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun
Specifically, having watched a recently restored video of Goebbels' speech, he said he was shocked by a comment on the video stating, "South Korea needs a Hitler. Someone who controls everything and unites it as one." He expressed concern that "the Jewish conspiracy theory has simply been replaced by China, but the characteristics of the mob remain unchanged." He then pointed out the recent incident where far-right supporters stormed the Seoul Western District Court demanding the arrest of President Yoon Suk-yeol, saying, "I do not think they were originally supporters of the leader of the rebellion and the accused," and added, "What captivated them was the messianic solution of illegal martial law," highlighting how martial law has become a tool of incitement for far-right forces.
After President Yoon Seok-yeol was arrested on charges of leading an insurrection, some supporters broke into the Seoul Western District Court, causing an illegal violent incident. On the morning of the 20th, a day after the event, police barricades remained damaged in front of the Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun
Finally, Heo Ji-woong mentioned the far-right shift of the current ruling party, criticizing them for "willingly becoming the party of mobs, risking the fate of the nation for their own survival." He expressed strong concern, saying, "That path may seem easy at first, but it is essentially a path to extinction." Earlier that day, after news of the Yoon Suk-yeol supporters' attack on the Seoul Western District Court broke, Heo posted that "there are indications that a specific religious group or church is at the center of the rioters. A thorough investigation is necessary," he added.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
