Seoul Western Court Storming Participants Pay Heavy Price as Mass Prison Terms Wrap Up Cases

More than 40 defendants involved in the Seoul Western District Court riot have received finalized sentences, as the case enters a full-scale judicial resolution phase. Courts have handed down successive prison terms, particularly to those who led violence and destruction during the rampage.

According to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office on Wednesday, 42 of the 136 people indicted in connection with the riot had their sentences finalized as of the end of last month. Among them, suspended sentences accounted for the largest share at 23 (54.8%). The remaining 19 received actual prison terms. Most of the other 94 defendants are awaiting verdicts in ongoing appellate or Supreme Court proceedings.

A total of 15 charges were applied across the defendants, including trespassing and obstruction of justice. The Seoul Western District Court has consistently emphasized strict punishment for acts that substantially disrupted judicial functions, such as destroying fixtures inside the courthouse or pushing court security officers. Cases where defendants broke down courtroom doors to force entry and injure staff, incited a mass charge, or damaged interior fixtures showed a clear pattern of receiving actual prison sentences.

Some defendants received reduced sentences on appeal on grounds that they showed remorse. A notable example is Jeon, a 29-year-old man known as the "green jacket man," who was accused of smashing windows with a fire extinguisher during the January riot. The appellate court cited the defendant's remorse as a reason for reducing the sentence to three years in prison. Jeon had previously been sentenced to three years and six months at the first trial.

The heaviest first-instance sentence of five years in prison was handed to Shim, a 19-year-old, on charges of attempted arson of an occupied structure. Shim was accused of assaulting police officers blocking entry and breaking into the court. He also faces allegations of having another person pour fuel and throwing a lit piece of paper with a lighter in an attempt to start a fire.

Shim cried out "This is unjust" toward the bench and broke down in tears when the first-instance verdict was delivered, but his sentence was finalized after he abandoned his appeal. The court explained the sentencing rationale: "The defendant not only assaulted and used physical force against police officers but also preemptively broke into the court through smashed windows. Considering that the defendant purchased a lighter and other items from a nearby convenience store and attempted arson, inflicting serious harm on judicial authority and public safety, a heavy sentence is unavoidable."

Investigations are also underway into suspects identified as being behind the incident, including Jun Kwang-hoon, pastor of Sarang Jeil Church, and Shin Hye-sik, operator of conservative YouTube channel "Sinuihansu." A total of nine individuals, including these two, are under police investigation as suspects. Police suspect that Pastor Jun managed close associates and conservative YouTubers through psychological control based on religious faith and financial support. Search warrants were executed and questioning was conducted for both Pastor Jun and Shin. However, Pastor Jun maintains that he has no connection whatsoever to the Seoul Western District Court riot.