Park supporter arrested for assaulting journalists

A staunch supporter of former President Park Geun-hye was put behind bars, Thursday, for assaulting two journalists with a steel ladder at the rally near Cheong Wa Dae last Friday, after the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of Park.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for the man, surnamed Lee, 55, on charges of aggravated assault.

Police said Lee hit two reporters with a steel ladder, in front of Anguk Station near the Presidential office, venting frustration over the court ruling. He was one of many Park supporters who gathered near the station to participate in the rally to demand the court overturn the impeachment.

Lee told police he was enraged by the ruling and expressed his overall distrust and discontent toward the media for what he called “biased coverage against Park.”

Lee was also detained and questioned for sitting in a tent that illegally occupied part of Gwanghwamun Square during Monday’s Park support rally.

Meanwhile, parents of children attending Samreung Elementary School in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul nearby Park’s private residence filed a complaint with police, Thursday, for the noise and harassment from Park supporters.

Police are also questioning 16 individuals, a considerable number of whom are Park supporters, suspected of committing 21 violent crimes during rallies near Cheong Wa Dae since Friday.