Western District Court Rampage Incident VS U.S. Capitol Breach Incident [AK Radio]

Warning of a Crisis in Democracy:
Similarities and Differences Between Two Incidents
Common Threads Behind the Scenes: "Election Fraud" and "Fervent Supporters"

The large-scale riot that occurred at the Seoul Western District Court (Seobu District Court) on January 19 shows a pattern similar to the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot and reveals a crisis in Korean democracy. This incident, which took place immediately after an arrest warrant was issued for President Yoon Seok-yeol, is regarded as a serious provocation that completely denies the rule of law. It is taken even more seriously as it occurred following the unprecedented arrest and detention of a sitting president in constitutional history.

At around 2:50 a.m. on the 19th, when Chief Judge Cha Eun-kyung of the Western District Court issued the arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol, fervent supporters waiting in front of the court entered the building through the back gate. They broke through police barricades and rampaged indiscriminately for about three hours, roaming from the first to the seventh floor of the court building, damaging property and spraying fire extinguisher powder. In particular, they committed violent acts such as searching offices and breaking windows, claiming they would find the judge who issued the arrest warrant. The protesters also blocked and damaged vehicles of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) leaving the Western District Court and assaulted investigators.

After President Yoon Suk-yeol was arrested on charges of being the leader of a rebellion, some supporters broke into the Seoul Western District Court and caused an illegal violent incident. On the morning of the 20th, a day after the incident, police barricades remained damaged in front of the Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

To suppress the situation, 1,400 police officers were urgently deployed; 86 people were arrested on the spot, and 42 police officers were injured. Among the injured officers, seven are reported to have sustained serious injuries. Those arrested face charges including criminal trespass, damage to public property, obstruction of official duties, special obstruction of official duties, and riot for collectively causing disorder. Judicial authorities have announced a strict investigation policy.

Cheon Dae-yeop, Director of the Court Administration Office, described the incident as "the Western District Court, transformed into ruins, represents not just simple damage to the building but a comprehensive denial and serious infringement of the foundation of the rule of law and judicial authority." Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae of the Supreme Court convened an emergency meeting of all Supreme Court justices, signaling a strong response. Foreign media also view this incident as a crisis of democracy; Rashid, a freelance journalist from the UK, described the rioters as "not protesters but irrational violent forces."

Yonhap News

The background of this incident is analyzed to have been significantly influenced by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon's remarks on the "people's right to resist." Before the incident, Pastor Jeon stated at a rally in Gwanghwamun that "the people's right to resist is above the constitution" and said, "We might take President Yoon out of the detention center." Additionally, some YouTubers live-streamed the scene, inciting the crowd by shouting phrases like "This is war" and "People's right to resist." The police plan to expand investigations into these YouTubers' actions. Fundamentally, the extreme confrontational stance between ruling and opposition parties, especially President Yoon Seok-yeol's denial of investigations and legal order and resistance to arrest, also played a role.

This incident bears a striking resemblance to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Both incidents share the commonality that fervent supporters of a sitting or former president attacked a core institution of democracy. Notably, both were fueled by claims of election fraud, and similar slogans such as "Stop the Steal" were used. These unprecedented events shook the foundations of democratic systems and caused significant shock in both countries.

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However, there are clear differences between the two incidents. In the U.S., the target was the legislature, whereas in Korea, the judiciary was targeted. Regarding the scale of damage, the U.S. incident resulted in five deaths, including four rioters and one police officer, and 645 people were sentenced to prison, while in Korea, fortunately, there were no deaths, only injuries. Notably, in Korea, the 20s and 30s generation led the protests, and the live broadcasts and incitement by YouTubers influenced the escalation of the situation. This differs from the U.S. Capitol riot and reflects the unique context of Korean society.

With the Constitutional Court currently conducting impeachment proceedings against President Yoon, there are concerns that this incident could escalate into greater violence. Experts emphasize the need for social awakening to protect democracy and call for thorough preparation against similar future incidents, along with strict legal punishment for this event. They also point out the urgent need for social consensus to resolve the extreme confrontational political climate and restore the rule of law, which is the foundation of democracy.