Posts show pro-Yoon court attack plans may have begun online

Supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol who were involved in the violent mob attack of the Seoul Western District Court last week appear to have carried out premeditated plans for the attack.

Posts on the South Korean internet forum DC Inside, particularly in the "People Power Party Gallery," outlined detailed strategies to disrupt court proceedings as well as ways to break into the building, similar to how people broke in and smashed glass doors, building cladding, mirrors, CCTV and other office equipment, according to The Korea Herald's findings.

The unrest began with discussions on the platform criticizing peaceful protests as "ineffective." Calls for "direct action" escalated, with specific plans to gather at the court and block authorities of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials from filing the arrest warrant.

Prior to the attack, forum participants identified weak access points to the court on Jan. 16, including low fences near the back entrance -- showing meticulous planning.

On the same day, 200 Yoon supporters gathered and formed what they referred to as "human barricades," while YouTubers livestreamed the event.

On Jan. 17, posts shared CIO vehicle license plate numbers, with suggestions that rioters puncture the tires to hinder the agency's operations. The posts increased on Jan. 18, sharing real-time situations each individual was monitoring inside and outside the courthouse, including uploading information about where the police were stationed.

Come Jan. 19, the posts became increasingly inflammatory, with one user writing, “A revolution has begun. Attack all police you see.” Another urged, “Break in.” Participants also shared information on what to bring to the scene, such as ordering people to wear protective gear and face masks, as well as bring blunt weapons.

The rioters stormed into the building at 3:20 a.m. on Jan. 19, smashing windows, doors and the building cladding. By dawn, the number of riot-related posts on the platform had surpassed 5,000, with some members sharing what they said was "proof" of their arrest alongside photos from within police custody.

Young men in South Korea have been rallying behind the suspended president, with early January polls showing that support for Yoon from men in their 20s and 30s in particular has risen.

DC Inside's primary users are known to be young men.

Notably, 51 percent of those arrested during the attack were men in their 20s and 30s.

According to Gallup Korea, while approval ratings for Yoon's party stood at 15 percent for men in their 20s and 19 percent for men in their 30s in the third week of December, the numbers increased to 25 percent and 29 percent, respectively, in January.