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Behind Korea's vibrant protest culture: a closer look

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By Lee Hae-rin
  • Published KST
  • Updated KST
Participants of the candlelight vigil, organized by Korea's largest umbrella labor group, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and other civic groups, hold candles to protest President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law and demand his impeachment, Wednesday. Yonhap

Participants of the candlelight vigil, organized by Korea's largest umbrella labor group, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and other civic groups, hold candles to protest President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law and demand his impeachment, Wednesday. Yonhap

Park, a 32-year-old office worker from Seoul, was watching TV at home on Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. when breaking news aired President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law. She then grabbed the thickest jacket she had and took a taxi with her friend to head to the National Assembly.

"I felt anxious about doing nothing, so I went. I took a friend who has been to a candlelight rally before and I am glad I went there," she said.

Soon after, some 4,000 people started flocking to the National Assembly, causing severe traffic disruptions in the area. They confronted the police who blocked the main entrance and shouted, "Open the gate," “Let the lawmakers in.”

"I felt somewhat scared at home, but when I went there, there was nothing to fear. I will remember today for a long time," Park said.

Tuesday's turmoil was only the start of a series of voluntary gatherings of citizens nationwide.

Opposition lawmakers and thousands of Koreans from all walks of life stage an emergency rally to demand President Yoon Suk Yeol's resignation at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday, after Yoon lifted the martial law declaration early in the morning. Newsis

Opposition lawmakers and thousands of Koreans from all walks of life stage an emergency rally to demand President Yoon Suk Yeol's resignation at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday, after Yoon lifted the martial law declaration early in the morning. Newsis

Thousands gathered again in the squares of major cities with candles the following day after work, Wednesday.

The southern cities of Gwangju, Suncheon and Yeosu in Jeolla Province, as well as the Gyeongsang area including Busan, Ulsan, Changwon and Daegu, along with Gangwon Province and Jeju Island, saw hundreds to thousands taking to the streets to call for the resignation of the government.

These gatherings took place all across the country. It is the first time Korea has seen candlelight vigils simultaneously across the country since 2016, when former President Park Geun-hye was impeached.

Braving near subzero temperatures, people held rallies and demonstrations that were solemn and serious but also had an element of the festive, too. At some point, protesters even chanted along to trot songs and Christmas carols, modifying the song lyrics to criticize Yoon and the first lady as they sang together.

“All the people I met at the National Assembly on Tuesday night were happy. We sang, took pictures and laughed together, and even though they didn't know each other, some gave out hot packs to one another."

Meanwhile, several online posts encouraged citizens to join protests and rallies held in each region with a list of supplies and tips.

A poster that shows recommended items to bring before joining a protest in Korea / Screenshot from the Internet

A poster that shows recommended items to bring before joining a protest in Korea / Screenshot from the Internet

For example, many recommended packing chocolate, handkerchiefs, hand warmers and cushions for warmth and safety, while some advised wearing a mask and a hat to cover up and hide identifiable things such as phone cases, nail art, tattoos and hairstyles. Some shared guidelines for encountering police officers.

“You will be shouting the entire time, so make sure you have some mild (not cold) water so you won't lose your voice,” a post read.

"There are a lot of young women who want to come to the protest but are worried because they are alone, but no worries … it's rather a pleasant atmosphere," another post read, "There will be a protest in Gwanghwamun and the National Assembly every Saturday. So come and join us anytime."

Many say that social media played a big role in bringing people together amid the political turmoil.

Inside and outside the National Assembly, citizens and aides filmed military helicopters, armed martial law troops and military vehicles with their smartphones, broadcasting them on YouTube in real time or transmitting them to acquaintances. Images of soldiers breaking through the window of the National Assembly's main office also spread quickly through YouTube videos.

The video of Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, climbing a wall and entering the National Assembly's building had more than 2.38 million real-time viewers.

People hold a candlelight vigil to protest President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law and demand his impeachment at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Joo-yeon

People hold a candlelight vigil to protest President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law and demand his impeachment at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Joo-yeon

Experts believe that Korea’s vibrant protest culture and enthusiasm are rooted in the modern and contemporary history of democratic movements in the 20th century and the candlelight civil revolution in 2016.

"People have risked their lives to protect democracy in political situations like this, such as the revolution of April 19 in 1960, the Gwangju Uprising, the Seoul Spring in 1980 and the candlelight revolution of 2016,” Lee Byoung-hoon, honorary professor of sociology at Chung-Ang University said.

“Having its roots in such a history, it can be said that Korea has the power, the politics of the square," he said, referring to grassroots movements and collective political action.