"We're doomed"... Cries of "commies" echo
Supporters disperse in shock and despair
After former President Yoon Seokyeol was issued a second arrest warrant, a deep sense of shock and dismay spread among his supporters. For a moment, the area in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, fell silent as if time had stopped, quickly followed by cries and curses.
At around 2:12 a.m. on this day, about 200 supporters, who had gathered in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, showed clear signs of devastation upon hearing the news of the warrant issuance, which came about 12 hours after the pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant review). The supporters let out deep sighs while staring into space, and some dropped to their knees and bowed their heads.
On the morning of the 10th, supporters of former President Yoon Seokyoul gathered in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and felt disheartened upon hearing the news of the arrest warrant issuance. Photo by Yonhap News
The rally host, in an agitated voice, poured out criticism, saying, "The country, which was on the verge of collapse, now seems to be completely ruined," and denounced the special prosecutor as a "commie." Some supporters raised the Taegeukgi high and shouted, "How can this be possible?" while others, unable to control their emotions, hurled curses at the cameras and raised their voices.
The crowd, whose emotions had flared up, dispersed like the ebbing tide about an hour after the warrant was issued. About 50 police officers remained stationed in front of the safety fence, keeping watch until all protesters had left. The protesters had held an anti-arrest rally for former President Yoon from the previous day at this location, chanting slogans such as "Yoon Again." While most of the protesters dispersed after former President Yoon completed the court's warrant review and headed to the Seoul Detention Center, some remained, vowing to "pressure the judges" and stayed through the night.
On the morning of the 10th, supporters of former President Yoon Seokyeol gathered in Seocho-dong, Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province, in front of the Seoul Central District Court, showing agitation upon hearing the news of the issuance of an arrest warrant. Photo by Yonhap News
The previous day, more than 1,500 supporters of former President Yoon gathered in the Seocho-dong area, raising concerns that violent acts could occur, but no physical clashes broke out. Initially, the police had planned to deploy about 30 riot squads, totaling around 2,000 officers, but revised the plan to increase the number to 45 squads with approximately 2,700 officers. At the entrance to the court, security staff checked the identification and belongings of those entering, and dozens of police buses and safety fences formed a barricade.
Former President Yoon Seokyeol was re-arrested 124 days after being released due to the court's decision to cancel his detention in March. As a result, former President Yoon became the first current or former president to be arrested twice, bearing this unprecedented dishonor. Former President Yoon is expected to be held in a solitary cell of about 10 square meters (approximately 3 pyeong). The cell where former President Yoon will be held is equipped with a storage cabinet, a folding table, a TV, a sink, and a toilet, but there is no bed, so he will have to sleep on a blanket laid on the floor. Bathing will be done in a communal bath, but the schedule will be arranged so that his time does not overlap with other inmates. Meals will be the same as those provided to regular inmates.
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