Court Denies Arrest Warrant for Protesters Demanding Chief Justice's Resignation

On May 12, 2025, a South Korean court rejected arrest warrants for four members of the Korean University Student Progressive Union (대진연) who staged a surprise protest at the Supreme Court, calling for Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to resign. Judge Nam Se-jin of the Seoul Central District Court stated that the risk of flight and evidence tampering was low, making it difficult to justify their detention.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the charges related to their unlawful entry, Judge Nam noted that the circumstances of the protest and the extent of the damage suggested a minimal risk of fleeing. The judge also indicated that most evidence against the protesters had already been secured, reducing concerns about evidence destruction.
The protesters attempted to enter the Supreme Court building around 1 PM on May 9, shouting slogans such as "Cho Hee-dae must resign" before being stopped by staff. Even after being taken into custody, they continued to broadcast their demands live on social media from the police vehicle and station.
This protest was a response to the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn a lower court ruling regarding Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, which the group claims is a blatant interference in the election process. They accused the court of attempting to undermine Lee's candidacy.
The situation has sparked significant public interest and debate regarding the intersection of law and politics in South Korea.