Seoul: Four individuals involved in a courthouse riot linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol have been handed suspended prison terms for their roles in assaulting media reporters. The Seoul Western District Court issued sentences of one year in prison for each of the four defendants, including one person identified only by the surname Ham. However, these sentences were suspended for two years, contingent on the charges of special assault.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the incident occurred on January 19 of the previous year during a protest against the court's decision to extend Yoon's detention, following his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024. The defendants were accused of trespassing onto the court premises and collectively assaulting broadcast journalists. The court found that the rioters obstructed the victims' movements and hurled insults, even as the journalists attempted to leave the scene to avoid further conflict, thereby creating a hostile and pressurized environment.

The court rejected the argument made by some of the defendants that their actions were unintentional, maintaining that the assaults were deliberate. The verdict underscores the court's stance on maintaining order and protecting the rights of journalists to report without fear of violence.