Right-wing Korean youth group holds memorial event for Charlie Kirk

People attend a memorial event for U.S. right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk near Namdaemun Gate in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Freedom Univ.

Local responses over a memorial event held in Seoul for U.S. right-wing figure Charlie Kirk have been mixed.

Some welcomed the memorial as an expression of free speech and solidarity, while others questioned its political undertones. Most agreed it was unusual to hold an event in Seoul honoring a foreign political figure who was not particularly well-known here.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. He was a founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth group. A prominent pro-Trump figure, he often spoke against abortion, questioned U.S. election integrity and promoted Christian nationalism.

His death has drawn international attention, becoming a rallying point for right-wing groups worldwide and renewing debates over political violence.

Memorial events have been held in cities including London, Berlin, Rome and Madrid. The one in Seoul took place Monday at a plaza on the edge of Namdaemun Market.

It was organized by the conservative youth group Freedom Univ., which was formed this January by college students supporting former President Yoon Suk Yeol after his martial law fiasco the month before. Dozens of people participated in the memorial.

Photos of American right-wing figure Charlie Kirk are displayed during a memorial service near Namdaemun in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Freedom Univ.

“Kirk told us he supported our fight (against the left) and recognized the threat of communization in Korea. That’s why we organized the event,” said Park Joon-young, 24, head of the group.

“Kirk said the United States would help to prevent that, and his words gave our patriotic citizens hope and courage,” Park added.

Park said the group kept the memorial site open from Monday morning until night, making it difficult to tally attendance. According to the group, the memorial service was attended by more than 100 people at once around 7 p.m., with about 50 visiting each hour on average.

The event drew mixed reactions from both Koreans and Americans.

“I had heard of Kirk but didn’t know a memorial event was being held,” said Lee Sang-wook, 31, an office worker. “Since the current ruling power in Korea is liberal, I think those who oppose it are using this incident to express their political views.”

Kim Hyun-woo, 30, another office worker, said he had known of Kirk for more than three years and was aware that Freedom Univ. was hosting a memorial, though he did not realize it was held Monday.

“I saw many U.S. conservatives reposting about the memorial in Korea on social media,” Kim said. “That shows it has become a symbol of solidarity."

Notes commemorating late U.S. right-wing politician Charlie Kirk are placed at a memorial altar near Namdaemun in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Freedom Univ.

Americans in Korea voiced differing opinions as well.

“I think any political violence should be condemned. So regardless of where it happened, I don’t have a problem with the memorial,” said Michael, 63, a tourist from Florida visiting Namdaemun. “I think it’s great. It’s freedom of speech.”

He added, “We (Koreans and Americans) share many of the same ideals and that's definitely a positive.”

In contrast, Ariel Schudson, 47, a California native who has lived in Korea for nearly six years, voiced concern.

“I feel strongly that it is the wrong way to handle this situation,” Schudson said.

“While there has always been a contingent of conservative people who have supported Trump and the right wing here in Korea, it has been primarily pockets and not larger groups.”

Just days before his death, on Sept. 5 and 6, Kirk visited Korea for a conservative conference, where he stressed the importance of the Korea-U.S. alliance and called for resistance against communism. It was his first and last visit to the country — and to Asia.

“The fight against communism is one that both our great countries share,” Kirk said at the Build Up Korea 2025 forum. “Communism destroys everything it touches ... We are here to assist and support you in this existential fight against communism.”