Young protesters ignite Taegeukgi wave at Yoon impeachment rallies
Lee Ji-eun wears a blanket featuring the Taegeukgi during a rally near Gyeongbok Palace’s Dongshipjagak Pavilion, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Moon Ji-soo
Lee Ji-eun, 27, a resident of Seoul's Mapo District, braved subzero temperatures on Saturday afternoon near Gyeongbok Palace's Dongshipjagak Pavillion, wrapped in a large Taegeukgi-patterned blanket, shouting, "Yoon Suk Yeol must step down!"
Two other women in their 20s waved a large Taegeukgi, the Korean nation flag, which is typically used for national holidays. They had brought the flag from home.
Other participants, adorned with Taegeukgi-themed items such as sunglasses with the Taegeuk emblem and ribbon headbands, joined the anti-Yoon rally. These young women joined voices to condemn the “illegal martial law declaration of Dec. 3” and demand the president’s impeachment.
A wave of “reclaiming the Taegeukgi” is spreading among young Koreans at protests demanding President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment.
Historically, the Taegeukgi has been a symbol of conservative gatherings, often associated with far-right groups known as the “Taegeukgi Brigade.” During rallies opposing former President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment eight years ago, the flag was a staple among conservatives.
However, young Koreans are now rallying around the idea of reclaiming the Taegeukgi as a symbol for all Koreans.
“There is no left or right when it comes to the national flag. It’s time to take back the Taegeukgi,” Lee said passionately.
Two women waving the flags in sync with protest music echoed her sentiment, saying, “We brought the flag to restore its meaning for everyone.”
They described themselves as ordinary working professionals, not members of any organized group, and explained that their concern over the abrupt imposition of martial law and its potential consequences prompted them to join the protest.
A publishing house employee, Lee, said, “I was deeply worried about my workplace being affected by martial law.”
The clause in the martial law proclamation, “All press and publications will be under military control,” struck her as particularly alarming.
The march continued with participants carrying cheering sticks in one hand and a Taegeukgi flag in the other.
On social media, posts showcasing young people with the Taegeukgi have gained traction.
A 26-year-old participant, identified as Lee, shared a “Taegeukgi selfie” on X after attending a rally on Dec. 14, saying, “It’s fun to express my identity freely.”
Taegeukgi, with the black trigrams replaced by rainbow colors, also sparked interest online.
Participants wave Taegeukgi flags during a rally opposing impeachment, held by conservative groups in Jongno District, Seoul, on Dec. 12. Yonhap
Efforts to distribute Taegeukgi flags have added to the movement’s momentum. Kim Yoon-hee, 31, who leads the “Busan 2030 Women’s Patriots Group,” personally assembled and distributed 150 flags to citizens.
“It’s heartwarming to see people of all ages waving the flags they received,” Kim said. Another post on X featured a user sharing their progress, writing, “I’m assembling 100 Taegeukgi flags to give away.”
Jang Kyung-seop, an honorary professor of sociology at Seoul National University, said, “The recognition that the 2030 generation must restore the country after the chaos of martial law has led to discussions about reclaiming national symbols like the Taegeukgi. This crisis has, in some ways, awakened democratic civic awareness.”
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.