The Korean National Police Agency noted on the morning of the 19th that it will respond sternly to individuals believed to be supporters of President Yoon Suk-yeol, who broke into the Seoul Western District Court, damaged property, and assaulted police officers.
On the same day, the Korean National Police Agency held an emergency meeting of the national command for about 40 minutes under the leadership of Acting Commissioner Lee Ho-young, and announced this to the media. The meeting discussed measures regarding the illegal acts of police assault, court intrusion, and property damage that occurred over the past two days at the Western District Court.
The police stated, "A series of illegal violent incidents that could not be overlooked have occurred," adding, "We consider this a serious challenge to the rule of law and will respond sternly according to the law and principles."
They also instructed that the police agencies in each city and province respond sternly to any future illegal violent gatherings, regardless of the organization, according to the law and principles. They urged the organizers of all gatherings and protests to actively cooperate to ensure that they remain within legal limits.
YouTubers related to the gathering in front of the Western District Court may also come under investigation. Acting Commissioner Lee Ho-young responded to a reporter's question at around 10:15 a.m. regarding whether far-right YouTubers inciting the protesters could be investigated, saying, "If they are related to the violent incidents, we will thoroughly investigate."
Regarding threatening posts aimed at the judge who issued the arrest warrant for President Yoon, they stated, "We will thoroughly investigate and find that person (the author of the post), and will do our best to protect the judge's personal safety."
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated, "We plan to thoroughly investigate and enforce strict legal action regarding the illegal acts that occurred at the Western District Court over the past two days." The Seoul Police Agency organized a dedicated investigation team led by the head of the investigation department that day.
Supporters of President Yoon gathered around the Western District Court the previous day, claiming to prevent his arrest, with a maximum of 44,000 people estimated by the police. They continued to protest even after President Yoon left the Western District Court at 7:33 p.m. the previous day and moved to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang. Around 2:50 a.m. that day, when the arrest warrant for President Yoon was issued, some protesters broke through police barriers at the court's rear entrance, stormed inside, sprayed fire extinguishers at the police, and vandalized property.
The police deployed about 1,400 officers, including riot control units equipped with body armor and batons, to suppress the protesters. As a result, 46 individuals who broke into the Western District Court were arrested as part of a current offense. Including 40 others who were detained for jumping over the court's wall and attacking vehicles of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) before the arrest warrant for President Yoon was issued, a total of 86 individuals have been taken into custody over the two days. The order around the Western District Court has generally been restored.
The police are investigating the 86 individuals arrested as part of a current offense the previous day and that day across 18 police stations. They have designated one team from the criminal mobile unit to analyze the gathered material and identify additional participants.