DistantNews
Support us
🇰🇷 South Korea /Crime & Justice

Police officer recounts terror during Seoul court riot

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • A police officer testified in court about the fear and chaos during the January 2023 riot at the Seoul Western District Court.
  • The officer described protesters, armed with blunt objects, pushing into the courthouse, believing they were going to die.
  • The trial concerns Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, accused of inciting the riot under the guise of 'popular resistance rights'.

A police officer recounted the terrifying moments during the January 2023 riot at the Seoul Western District Court, describing a scene of chaos and fear where he believed he might die. The officer, who was on duty at the courthouse's main gate, recalled receiving a radio transmission about protesters entering the building.

That day is unforgettable for me. It was truly scary, and I even thought, 'I'm going to die here.'

— Police Officer GuRecounting his experience during the riot at the Seoul Western District Court.

"It was grim," he testified, describing how protesters armed with blunt objects aggressively pushed forward. "Police officers were trying to push them back with shields." The officer stated that protesters justified their actions by invoking 'popular resistance rights,' a concept often promoted by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, the defendant in the ongoing trial.

During the trial, the officer explained that he tried to reason with one protester, identified as Mr. Park, who had entered the courthouse. "Even if a judge makes a decision you disagree with, storming the court is a crime," the officer told him. Mr. Park reportedly responded, "The judge's decision was wrong. We have the right to popular resistance."

Even if a judge makes a decision you disagree with, storming the court is a crime. You shouldn't do this.

— Police Officer GuTestifying about his attempt to persuade a protester who had entered the courthouse.

Prosecutors allege that Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon incited the riot through his rhetoric about exercising popular resistance rights. Another police officer, who was present at a rally in Gwanghwamun organized by Jeon, testified that he heard broadcasts directing participants to head to the Western District Court. He recalled instructions to travel on foot due to crowded public transport.

The judge's decision was wrong. We have the right to popular resistance.

— Protester ParkResponding to the police officer's attempt to dissuade him from entering the courthouse.

Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, however, denied the charges, claiming the Gwanghwamun rally concluded before the riot occurred and that he was unaware of the events at the courthouse. He asserted that his rally ended at 7:30 p.m., while the courthouse incident happened early the next morning.

We finished at 7:30 p.m., and the Western District Court incident happened at 3 a.m. the next day, and I didn't even know it happened.

— Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoonDenying his involvement in inciting the riot.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog