Former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who has been indicted on charges including being the leader of a rebellion related to the Dec. 3 state of emergency, appeared in court on the 12th for the first time, walking in like an ordinary defendant. Supporters of former President Yoon entered the court premises holding secretly brought placards reading "YOON AGAIN" and shouted, "President Yoon Suk-yeol!"
Former President Yoon arrived at the entrance of the Seoul Central District Court's west building around 9:55 a.m. to attend the trial for charges of rebellion and abuse of power. He traveled to the court in a black van from his home in Acro Vista, Seocho-dong.
After arriving, he got out of the van with a stern expression, looking straight ahead as he entered the courtroom. He was dressed in a dark navy suit with a red tie. Former President Yoon did not respond to reporters' questions, such as whether he intended to apologize for declaring the state of emergency.
Supporters of former President Yoon gathered near the east and west entrances of the court building. The supporter group "YOONIS" held a press conference in front of the east entrance of the court around 9 a.m., stating, "We will stand on all the values of freedom that President Yoon Suk-yeol has preserved for this country and the regained self-esteem of its citizens," adding, "We will now follow in the footsteps of the President who has run ahead of anyone else."
As the van carrying former President Yoon entered through the east gate around 9:53 a.m., supporters waved the South Korean and U.S. flags while chanting, "YOON AGAIN."
Some supporters had moved in advance toward the west wing of the courthouse to see former President Yoon enter the court. Courthouse staff prevented them from carrying in the flags and placards, but some supporters managed to sneak in scarves and signs inscribed with "YOON AGAIN."
When a courthouse employee informed them that they could not enter if they brought in items supporting former President Yoon, supporters responded, "Is this a communist country?" leading to a scuffle.
About 100 supporters of former President Yoon gathered in front of the entrance of the west wing of the courthouse. They had been shouting, "President Yoon Suk-yeol!" continuously since around 9:30 a.m. When former President Yoon entered the west wing, some supporters shed tears. They shouted the slogan, "President Yoon Suk-yeol!" while waving a "YOON AGAIN" scarf that they had sneaked in, until around 10:10 a.m.
Even after former President Yoon entered the courthouse, the premises remained chaotic. Some YouTubers were live-streaming, and supporters were walking around holding placards inscribed with supportive messages for former President Yoon. Notices stating, "Assemblies and protests are prohibited on courthouse grounds" were posted throughout the courthouse building.