South Korea sues 5 over damages from Western District Court riot

South Korea's Court Administration and Management is pursuing legal action against five individuals involved in a riot at the Seoul Western District Court. The agency has filed a lawsuit seeking 1.18 billion won (approximately $900,000 USD) in damages. This amount covers the cost of repairing property damaged during the incident and includes delayed damages. The lawsuit was filed at the Seoul Central District Court, with the Republic of Korea listed as the plaintiff and the Court Administration and Management as the supervising authority.

The legal action follows the court's decision in April, when the Supreme Court upheld guilty verdicts for 18 individuals who appealed their convictions related to the riot. The incident occurred on January 19, 2023, when supporters of former President Yoon Suk-yeol stormed the courthouse premises after an arrest warrant was issued for him. During the chaos, they damaged windows, doors, and interior furnishings, and assaulted police officers attempting to intervene.

The Court Administration and Management described the riot as a "collective act of violence and destruction against the courthouse, where the nation's judicial functions are carried out." The agency emphasized that the actions "severely undermined the court's functions and authority" and constituted a "grave illegal act." The statement further asserted that holding those who "disrupted the constitutional order and shook the foundations of the rule of law and democracy" legally accountable is "absolutely necessary."

Prosecutors had initially indicted 63 individuals on charges including trespassing and obstruction of justice. The Court Administration and Management indicated that it may file additional lawsuits against other participants in the riot. The lawsuit was initiated after a preliminary legal review by the Litigation Support Center, which assists with state litigation related to court matters.