Man in His 50s Arrested for Damaging Court Shutter in 'Western District Court Violence Incident'

Denies Connection with Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon

A man in his 50s, identified as Mr. Yoon, who participated in the violent incident at the Seoul Western District Court and damaged the court's shutter, was arrested on February 5.

Yonhap News

On this day, Judge Jung Woo-chae of the Civil Division 12 at the Seoul Western District Court conducted a pretrial detention hearing for Mr. Yoon, who is accused of joint trespassing of residence and other charges under the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts. The judge issued an arrest warrant, citing concerns over destruction of evidence and risk of flight.

Mr. Yoon is suspected of storming into the Western District Court on January 19, after an arrest warrant was issued for President Yoon Suk-yeol. In a YouTube video at the time, Mr. Yoon was heard saying, "If you support President Yoon Suk-yeol, fight together. If things continue like this, President Yoon will die immediately."

The police arrested Mr. Yoon on February 3 and applied for an arrest warrant.

When appearing in court on this day, Mr. Yoon denied allegations that he incited the incident together with former pastor Jeon and others. He also stated regarding his relationship with Mr. Lee, "I have no connection whatsoever and do not know him at all."

Meanwhile, the arrest warrant for Mr. Kim, the operator of the YouTube channel "Kim Sarang Poet," who broadcasted the incident live and also stormed into the Western District Court, was rejected by the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office on the same day.

A prosecution official explained, "Considering the circumstances of the arrest and the evidence collected, it is difficult to conclude at this stage that an arrest investigation is absolutely necessary."