"If You Can't Go to Work, You'll Get Fired, Please Help" Appeal from Friend of Court Riot Participant

Posted on Community Seeking Help
"You Will Be Recognized as a Patriot" vs "Take Responsibility"

As dozens of supporters who violently stormed the Seoul Western District Court in protest of President Yoon Suk-yeol's arrest warrant were arrested by the police, an online user pleaded for help, saying that one of the arrested supporters is "at risk of losing their job."

DC Inside capture

On the 20th, a post titled "Please pay attention to the arrested friends. My friend was also arrested" was uploaded on the online community DC Inside's 'People Power Party Emergency Committee' board.

The author, Mr. A, requested legal assistance, expressing anger, saying, "It doesn't make sense to detain them like this when they can't go to work and might get fired." He added, "Even violent criminals are usually not detained unless necessary. My friend was just caught up in this, and we don't know when they will be released. I think this kind of detention is wrong." He then appealed, "Please pay some attention. I'm begging you."

Mr. A added in the comments, "I'm currently in contact with my friend via KakaoTalk," and "I'm telling them to get legal support."

Reactions from community users to the post were mixed. Some netizens commented to reassure Mr. A and his friend, saying, "Just hold on a little longer. Once the country normalizes, you will return to your previous daily life," "Don't worry. The people will definitely get you out," "It might be tough now, but everything will work out, and you will be recognized as a patriot," and "What grounds would they have to issue an arrest warrant?" Some even shared phone numbers of lawyers from conservative YouTube channels and advised, "Never make a statement without a lawyer and exercise the right to remain silent."

On the other hand, some responded coldly, saying, "You worry about your company but not the court?" "You have a job but still do such things without thinking about the future?" "Life is real," "Take responsibility for what you did," and "If you get sentenced to prison anyway, you won't be able to work. At least tell your company to find someone else in advance."

Interior of Seoul Western District Court damaged by riots of some supporters of President Yoon. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Earlier, around 3 a.m. on the 19th, about 100 protesters, mostly supporters of President Yoon, stormed the Seoul Western District Court after an arrest warrant was issued against the president. They shouted slogans such as "The country is ruined" and "Judge, come out," pushing past police officers blocking the back gate. During the chaos, they seized police shields, assaulted officers, and damaged the court building's glass windows and property.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 20th that "90 people arrested in flagrante delicto ranged in age from teenagers to their 70s, with 46 people in their 20s and 30s accounting for 51%." The police said they are sequentially applying for arrest warrants for 66 individuals deemed to have serious charges. They also stated that they will thoroughly analyze evidence, including video footage from YouTube, to identify and strictly punish those involved in illegal acts, as well as those who incited or aided and abetted such acts.