Supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol, detained for their involvement in violent protests, are detained by police outside the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Sunday. (Yonhap)
Supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol, detained for their involvement in violent protests, are detained by police outside the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Sunday. (Yonhap)

Former South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and other prominent far-right media figures are rallying behind the 87 protesters taken into custody for violence and vandalism at a court in Seoul on Sunday.

The demonstrators stormed the Seoul Western District Court to denounce its decision to grant an arrest warrant for the extended custody of President Yoon Suk Yeol, vandalizing property and injuring nine police officers in the process.

While the unrest has drawn widespread condemnation for its violent nature, Hwang and influential right-wing YouTubers have framed the protesters’ actions as an effort to “protect the president” and are now spearheading efforts to provide them with legal representation and financial support.

Arrested protesters seek legal help

This post, uploaded to the online community DC Inside, says the writer is detained at Yeongdeungpo Police Station, captioned: “I was arrested earlier. I heard the People Power Party will appoint a lawyer for free. Is that really true?” (Screen capture from DC Inside)
This post, uploaded to the online community DC Inside, says the writer is detained at Yeongdeungpo Police Station, captioned: “I was arrested earlier. I heard the People Power Party will appoint a lawyer for free. Is that really true?” (Screen capture from DC Inside)

Following the riot, messages began appearing on DC Inside, an online forum popular with Yoon's most ardent supporters. One post that appeared to be written by an arrested individual reads, “I was arrested. Can I get a lawyer from the People Power Party?”

Other users in the forum’s “People Power Party Gallery” called for action, posting comments like, “They should give him a lawyer,” and, “If Yoon Suk Yeol returns, they will all be pardoned.”

Pro bono defense

The former prime minister quickly responded to the arrests, taking to Facebook on Sunday to voice his dismay and offer legal support. “I am visiting police stations to meet those arrested while trying to protect the president,” he wrote. “It saddens me that 86 people have been detained. We have to help them somehow.”

The number of those nabbed in relation to violence at the Seoul Western District Court has since risen to 87, with three others also arrested at the Constitutional Court.

In this Facebook message, former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn says that he will offer free legal counseling to those arrested in connection to the recent violence at the Seoul Western District Court. (Hwang's Facebook)
In this Facebook message, former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn says that he will offer free legal counseling to those arrested in connection to the recent violence at the Seoul Western District Court. (Hwang's Facebook)

Hwang pledged to defend protesters pro bono and urged other lawyers to join the effort. He also appealed for financial support, sharing a bank account number for donations.

Hwang served as prime minister under the previous impeached president, Park Geun-hye, and led the United Future Party, a predecessor to today’s ruling People Power Party, in the 2020 parliamentary elections, where the party suffered a landslide defeat. He remains a polarizing figure, known for promoting unfounded election conspiracy theories -- a position that has aligned him closely with Yoon and his supporters.

Conservative YouTubers join the effort

Far-right YouTube channels Hoverlab and Ground C, both known for their staunchly conservative views, have also stepped in offer legal support for the protesters.

Far-right YouTube channel Hoverlab in this YouTube message urges detained Yoon supporters to contact them for legal aid, pledging they will “fight with you until the end.” (YouTube channel Hoverlab)
Far-right YouTube channel Hoverlab in this YouTube message urges detained Yoon supporters to contact them for legal aid, pledging they will “fight with you until the end.” (YouTube channel Hoverlab)

Hoverlab, also known as Garo Sero Yeonguso in Korean, which has nearly 900,000 subscribers, announced a commitment to cover related legal fees.

“We will do everything we can to help, including lawyer support,” the channel stated. “We are in financial difficulty, but we will fight with you until the end.” The channel, led by former MBC reporter Kim Say, describes its mission as promoting “right-wing values” through news analysis and viewer-submitted reports.

Far-right YouTube channel Ground C calls on detained Yoon supporters to contact them for legal assistance, sharing lawyer details and requesting evidence of alleged police misconduct. (YouTube channel Ground C)
Far-right YouTube channel Ground C calls on detained Yoon supporters to contact them for legal assistance, sharing lawyer details and requesting evidence of alleged police misconduct. (YouTube channel Ground C)

Similarly, Ground C, a conservative Christian YouTube channel with 770,000 subscribers, vowed to pressure authorities and offered legal aid.

“The government and police are working together to ensure those arrested receive only a slap on the wrist,” the channel claimed, while urging viewers to contact their legal team for defense support.

Ground C, which stands for “Ground Conservatism,” focuses on Korean and world history, politics and philosophy, and has built a loyal following especially among younger conservatives.


mjh@heraldcorp.com