Security tight as supporters, critics gather with court weighing 1st verdict in ex-President Yoon's insurrection trial

▲ Supporters of former President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally calling for his acquittal near the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)

▲ An entrance to the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul is cordoned off on Feb. 18, 2026, a day before former President Yoon Suk Yeol's sentencing hearing on charges of leading an insurrection. (Yonhap)

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Security tight as supporters, critics gather with court weighing 1st verdict in ex-President Yoon's insurrection trial

By Chae Yun-hwan

SEOUL, Feb. 19 (Yonhap) -- Police have tightened security near a Seoul court Thursday as supporters and critics of former ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol gathered ahead of his verdict on charges of leading an insurrection through his brief 2024 imposition of martial law.

The Seoul Central District Court is set to hand down its ruling for Yoon's trial at 3 p.m. after special prosecutors recommended the death penalty, accusing him of conspiring to stage a riot aimed at subverting the Constitution and illegally declaring martial law on Dec. 3, 2024.

Outside the court complex in southern Seoul, some 80 supporters of the ousted former president held a rally overnight, calling for his acquittal, while left-leaning YouTubers hung banners that read, "The insurrection has not ended even after a year."

A group of far-right civic groups, including Freedom Union, have registered to stage a rally of around 2,300 people in support of Yoon near the court complex from 9 a.m. until the hearing concludes.

Candlelight Action, a progressive group, plans to stage a rally of some 5,000 people to call for Yoon's conviction around Seocho Station, near the court complex, at 2 p.m.

Police and the court have bolstered security efforts to prevent possible violence following a riot by Yoon's supporters at the Seoul Western District Court in January last year when it issued a warrant to extend his detention.

Police have mobilized some 1,000 personnel for security operations and have lined up police buses around the court complex to form barriers and restrict access.

The court has closed off all entrances to the complex, except the east gate, since last Friday. Only pre-registered vehicles and members of the press are allowed to enter the premises.

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