The court issued guilty verdicts in a first trial against all 49 individuals arrested at the scene during the disturbance at the Seoul Western District Court. Among them, 40 received prison terms. A man who attempted to commit arson after illegally entering the court was sentenced to five years in prison.
The 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court, led by Director General Kim Woo-hyun, held a sentencing hearing on the 1st for 49 defendants facing charges including breaking and entering into special structures, and imposed fines, suspended sentences, and prison terms on each of the defendants.
They were arrested at the scene after entering the Seoul Western District Court shortly after a warrant was issued for the arrest of former President Yoon Suk-yeol on Jan. 19, and committed acts such as damaging property.
The specific sentences for those who received prison terms include five years (1 person), four years (1 person), three years and six months (1 person), three years (1 person), two years and six months (2 people), two years (6 people), and one year and six months (7 people).
Mr. Shim, who received the highest sentence of five years, was arrested and indicted for assaulting a police officer who was trying to prevent entry into the court and for illegally entering the court during the disturbance. He is also accused of trying to set the building on fire by throwing burning paper with oil on others.
The court explained, "The defendant not only assaulted the police officer in front of the court's rear entrance but also used physical force and entered the court through a broken window first. Additionally, he attempted arson after purchasing a lighter at a nearby convenience store, significantly harming judicial authority and endangering public safety, thus a severe sentence is unavoidable."
However, it was noted that Mr. Shim confessed to his crime and expressed remorse, and that he was under 19 years old at the time of the incident, which were taken into account as mitigating factors.
The court issued a statement after the sentencing, saying, "Attacking the court using illegal methods because the court's proceedings or outcomes differ from an individual's beliefs or expectations cannot be justified as an act of free expression."
It added, "This not only undermines the legitimacy of the judicial authority granted by the constitution but also intimidates the independent judgment of judges, ultimately leading to a significant regression of the rule of law in our society. Given the nature, circumstances, and content of the defendants' crimes, the severity of their actions is grave, and the potential for condemnation is very high."