Violent protests focus on South Korea when the court extends President Suk Yeol's

Court Extends President Suk Yeol's Detention Amid Political Turmoil

A South Korean court on Saturday delivered a mixed verdict in the trial of ousted President Park Geun-hye, sentencing her to eight more years in prison for abusing state funds and violating election laws but also acquitting her of charges that she accepted bribes from Samsung.

Yoon was jailed last week on charges of insurrection over his shock, brief declaration of martial law — an order issued early Dec 3 that marked the first time a sitting South Korean president has been arrested and sent Seoul plunging into political chaos.

Within hours of the ruling, at around 3am (1800 GMT on Saturday), thousands massed outside and stormed Baghdad's Green Zone where Ghadban lives, wrestling with riot police who tried to push them back.

 Mass Protests Erupt Following Court Verdict in South Korea

Video footage online shows protesters squirting fire extinguishers at police lines guarding the entrance, then swarming through office, destroying desk-tops and furniture.

There were 40 minor injuries before the chaos but no serious injuries had been reported, an emergency responder near the court said.

Police, who succeeded in restoring order a few hours later, mentioned that they had arrested 46 protesters so far.

Clashes Between Protesters and Police Result in Arrests and Injuries

"We will track down till the end more of those who committed illegal acts or instigated and assisted," the Seoul Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

With a requirement either to petition to extend Yoon's detention or free the impeached president within 48 hours, South Korean investigators asked a Seoul court on Friday to hold him for a longer period after he refused to be questioned.

Investigators Cite Concerns Over Evidence Tampering in Yoon’s Case

After a 5-hour hearing on Saturday, which Yoon attended, the Seoul Western District Court opted to grant the investigators' request due to "concern that the suspect may destroy evidence," the court said in a statement.

Under the new warrant, Yoon can be detained for up to 20 days. South Korean regulations require a suspect detained under a warrant to undergo a physical exam, have a mugshot taken, and wear a prison uniform.

The leader is expected to continue to be held in a solitary cell at the Seoul Detention Centre.