I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Olympic Park rallies: Peace is more powerful than violence
Citizens gather in Olympic Park in Seoul's southern Songpa District on June 16. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Korea’s younger generations have demonstrated how collective action can unite a community rather than divide it. Their creative, caring rallies offer a glimpse of hope in an increasingly fragmented world.
While protesting what they view as violations of citizens’ voting rights in the June 3 local elections, they have organized rallies that are interactive and engaging.
At Olympic Park in Seoul’s southern Songpa District, tens of thousands of citizens — many in their 20s and 30s — have gathered daily since June 4, the day after local elections were held nationwide. They chant slogans urging politicians to overhaul the National Election Commission (NEC) and demanding that local elections be redone.
Instead of carrying professionally printed banners, many participants hold handwritten signs. When the rallies conclude, volunteers collect trash and clean the venue, helping to keep the area safe and welcoming.
Olympic Park has evolved into a caring community. A man who introduced himself as having a science Ph.D. offers free math tutoring to school-age children accompanying their parents. Daycare workers help look after children so parents can focus on participating in the rallies. Donations continue to pour in. Supporters who cannot attend contribute food and drinks. One of the most striking features is the determination of participants and supporters to find meaningful ways to sustain the movement.
Musicians also contribute their talents. On Monday, a 13-member orchestra performed the national anthem, prompting the crowd to sing along. When the performance ended, one participant shouted, “Encore,” drawing laughter from those nearby. Soon afterward, the orchestra played the beloved folk song Arirang, and the crowd once again joined in. Music became a force that united everyone present.
Large national flags waving above the crowd added to the patriotic atmosphere.
One social media user observed that the people gathered there appeared remarkably selfless.
“There was a middle-aged man who ran a small sundae (blood sausage) shop. He closed his business and came to the park to share sausage with people for free. People cared for one another. Older people praised younger people, while the younger generation showed respect for their elders. There was no gender divide. Men and women helped each other. Maybe we were born like that.”
Some observers have compared the Olympic Park rallies to the pro-democracy demonstrations of June 1987, when weeks of student-led protests eventually compelled the military government to accept calls to hold direct presidential elections. The two movements share several similarities. In both cases, election-related issues sparked public outrage. In 1987, the government’s decision to hold an indirect presidential election system triggered widespread demonstrations. This time, concerns over ballot paper shortages motivated many younger people to protest against the election commission. In both movements, people in their 20s and 30s formed the core of the demonstrations.
Despite these similarities, the two movements differ in important ways.
In 1987, student activism was highly organized. Leaders often relied on ideological frameworks, including Marxism-Leninism, to mobilize fellow students. Classes were frequently cancelled for demonstrations, and anti-American sentiment was common among some activist groups. Protest slogans such as “No Wars, No Nuclear Weapons, Yankee Go Home” were often heard.
In contrast, the current rallies in southern Seoul have no clear centralized leadership. Unlike their counterparts in 1987, many college students attend the gatherings only after finishing their classes. The atmosphere is also markedly different when it comes to how the United States is regarded. Some participants display American flags or signs featuring American imagery.
The protests of 1987 were often confrontational. In response to police crackdowns involving tear gas, some student demonstrators used Molotov cocktails against police forces. At the time, many activists believed that violence could be justified in resisting violent repression.
The rallies at Olympic Park, however, have remained peaceful and free of weapons. Relations between students and police officers are far less hostile than they were four decades ago. Participants have even cheered police officers leaving the park after their shifts, expressing appreciation for their service.
Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party (PPP) praised the students for their considerate behavior.
“I saw several students leave and return carrying a large tent-like structure. They set it up near the police officers to shield them from the scorching sun. How kind and thoughtful they were.”
Nearly four decades after the 1987 democratic movement, many former student activists have entered politics and now serve as lawmakers. They are often referred to as “Generation 586,” a term derived from their age group, the decade during which they attended university and the decade in which they were born.
Unfortunately, their reputation has deteriorated in recent years. Critics often accuse some members of Generation 586 of practicing "naeronambul" — a Korean expression meaning “rules for thee, not for me.” Once celebrated as heroes who helped advance Korea’s democracy, many are now viewed by the public as self-serving politicians.
My hope is that the young participants at the Olympic Park rallies will avoid repeating the mistakes of some of their predecessors. Their actions, as many supporters see them, deserve to remain a positive and enduring legacy of Korea’s democratic history.
Rep. Kim Tae-gyu, also from the PPP, praised the Olympic Park participants as model citizens.
“You can find true ‘K-democracy’ in Olympic Park. We, as lawmakers, should put that spirit into action by launching a National Assembly investigation into the election commission and appointing an independent counsel to conduct a thorough inquiry.”
I agree. I would even propose that the Nobel Committee consider South Korea’s younger generations as candidates for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.