Dozens of flags fly above the group at a rally held on March 22, 2025, outdoors Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, calling for Yoon Suk-yeol to be deposed after his abortive self-coup in December 2024. (Yoon Woon-sik/Hankyoreh)
The riot was stopped, however the spirit of the resistance to it lives on in Korea.
Even after calm has returned to the general public squares that have been as soon as the websites of impassioned protests, many bizarre Koreans who took to the streets on Dec. 3 final 12 months to withstand former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial regulation proceed to uphold the spirit of the rallies of their lives at the moment. A 12 months has handed, but the flags nonetheless wave within the wind, and the sunshine sticks proceed to light up the darkish.
For Kang Min-ji, 31, who carried a flag printed with the phrase “(introvert)” to impeachment rallies, the protests haven’t but ended. Kang — an alias for anonymity — launched herself as an “bizarre, introverted workplace employee” in a design-related subject, not affiliated with any civic group or labor union. Beginning on Dec. 7 final 12 months, when the primary weekend rally after Yoon declared martial regulation was held, Kang has been carrying the introvert flag she’d take to rock festivals at road protests.
“I used to be livid that the Yoon administration, which had oppressed ladies and minorities, was now making an attempt to oppress our every day lives,” she stated. She took days off from work to take part within the impeachment rallies that continued for 4 months beginning final December. On this approach, the protests turned a turning level in her life, although she had beforehand been “busy sufficient making an attempt to maintain going from day after day.”
Probably the most iconic flags on the rallies for Yoon’s impeachment was a white flag with solely the textual content: “(introvert).” Kang Min-ji, who created and carried the flag, started producing and promoting shirts with the identical design in September as a part of a fundraiser for a queer youth help middle and meals for rescue cats. (courtesy of Kang Min-ji)
Although Kang scores as an excessive introvert (97%) on the Myers-Briggs Kind Indicator, or MBTI, she nonetheless continues to exit into the streets carrying the “(introvert)” flag. Recalling her experiences of misogynistic violence throughout adolescence, she attended protests in opposition to the closure of Naneun Bom (I Am Spring), the Seoul city-run well being middle for teenage ladies. Remembering Riley, a canine she met whereas volunteering on the animal rights group KARA, she voiced help for KARA’s labor union.
“It’s unhappy that there’s nonetheless a lot to combat for, however I maintain onto the hope that if we proceed to face in solidarity, society will change for the higher,” Kang stated.
Hoping to search out extra sensible methods to point out solidarity, Kang additionally created and bought varied “introvert” merchandise from September to October, and donated the proceeds. She set a purpose of elevating 500,000 received (US$340), however the proceeds far exceeded 2 million received (US$1,363). Kang donated this quantity final month to the LGBTQ+ youth help middle Ddingdong and the KARA union.
The declaration of martial regulation leveled on the public introduced introverts out onto the streets, and acquired the “individuals who would slightly be house in mattress” — one other iconic flag from the rallies — to stand up and shout.
Whereas the general public’s anger was expressed by way of a big selection of flags on the impeachment rallies, the sunshine sticks wielded by Okay-pop followers illuminated what the world after impeachment might seem like.
On Wednesday, precisely a 12 months after Yoon declared martial regulation, a e-book titled “Okay-pop Mild Stick Women” was launched. Writer Clayhouse describes it as an interview assortment that poses a query that defines this period: “Why did younger Korean ladies take to the streets with gentle sticks?”
Authors Gugu, Ilseok, and Hee-ju — all pen names — say they protested martial regulation with the resolve to “make a greater world for my bias.” These Okay-pop followers, pushed by the query “Who’re the opposite folks standing right here with us?” interviewed six different “gentle stick ladies.”
Gugu, Ilseok, and Hee-ju have been three Okay-pop followers who took to the streets to name for Yoon’s impeachment with lightsticks in hand. The three ladies later revealed a e-book of interviews with Okay-pop followers who took half within the protests. (courtesy of Clayhouse)
In an Instagram publish concerning the e-book’s launch, Hee-ju wrote, “For an introvert like me, [the protests were] 4 bumpy months of speaking to strangers within the streets, exchanging contact information, experiencing each failure and success.”
“It was one thing I did out of pleasure, as a result of I needed to,” she wrote.
The sunshine sticks that when glittered at idol concert events now maintain a special that means.
“Possibly it’s due to what we went by way of, however we choked up at a live performance not too long ago when our bias stated, ‘I hope the vitality you get from watching our efficiency helps you reside your every day life,’” the authors stated.
The authors realized that “seeing a efficiency post-martial regulation can’t be the identical as seeing one earlier than it, that the world should operate correctly for us to completely benefit from the fantasy idols create.”
“Earlier than, an analogous remark would annoy me, as a result of I’d assume, ‘I simply wish to maintain watching idols — why are they pushing me again to actuality?’ However now I perceive how valuable the mundane is, too.”
The authors stated that the sunshine sticks on the impeachment protests “confirmed the potential for a motion rooted in love and optimism.” As well as, they acknowledged, “We consider there’s a throughline that can join the time we’ve spent [out at the protests] prior to now to the following struggles.”
They cited the Women’ Era tune “Into the New World” for instance of a hyperlink between earlier protests and the newer impeachment rallies. This tune was sung by Ewha Girls’s College college students at their sit-in in 2016 and took on new meanings because it turned one of many anthems of the 2024 impeachment protests.
On Nov. 18, 2025, Moon Ga-bin works on the wheelchair of Park Kyung-seok, the chief of Solidarity In opposition to Incapacity Discrimination, in the course of the group’s 66th protest for mobility rights on the Gwanghwamun station on the Seoul metro. (Kim Hyo-sil/Hankyoreh)
On Nov. 22, first girl Kim Hye-kyung addressed issues about President Lee Jae Myung’s well being as a consequence of overwork. “The president stated, ‘The Kisses’ protesters who spent evening after evening on the frozen asphalt a 12 months in the past didn’t elect a president who takes it straightforward.’ He doesn’t even sleep a lot on flights as a result of he’s busy reviewing paperwork,” she stated.
This point out of protestors who wrapped themselves up in foil blankets to battle the freezing chilly final 12 months — fondly known as the “Kisses” protesters, owing to their shut resemblance to Hershey’s candies — illustrates that such protests have turn into an emblem of dedication.
For one such “Kisses” protester who spent a lot of January 2025 on the freezing asphalt, the rallies have now moved from the streets to the subway. On Nov. 18, 20-year-old Moon Ga-bin stood by incapacity activist Park Kyung-seok on the 66th “Commuter Subway Trip” protest by Solidarity In opposition to Incapacity Discrimination, or SADD, on the Gwanghwamun station on the Seoul Metro. Moon has been working as Park’s private care assistant since March.
As a local of Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, the place there isn’t any subway system, Moon had been detached to the protests by SADD, which Park is a co-leader of. However on Dec. 14 final 12 months, they have been “powerfully” struck by Park’s speech on the impeachment rally in Yeouido, Seoul. Moon noticed Park “get down from his wheelchair and crawl on his fingers and knees” simply as he did throughout subway commuter protests that day. Returning house, Moon got here to mirror upon their very own flag bearing the phrases “Lengthy Stay Democracy.”
“I felt ashamed that I had solely thought of martial regulation and civil unrest, by no means as soon as enthusiastic about a ‘democracy the place disabled folks can transfer as residents too,’” they stated.
Moon Ga-bin (proper) seems to be at incapacity activist Park Kyung-seok throughout a “die-in” protest by Solidarity In opposition to Incapacity Discrimination. (courtesy of Moon)
In January, even when Moon joined the in a single day impeachment rally close to Hangangjin station it was after they’d attended the SADD’s die-in protest the identical morning. On the time, Moon, who was finding out at a college in Busan, got here to Seoul at the least as soon as per week utilizing cash they’d saved from a part-time job at a barbecue restaurant. They took half in SADD protests every time.
By late February, Moon had taken a depart of absence from faculty and located a spot to dwell in Seoul. “Round that point, even once I was hanging out with buddies in Busan, I saved enthusiastic about [the SADD protests]. I knew I couldn’t return to how issues have been earlier than [the impeachment rallies],” they stated.
Elevating one’s voice on the impeachment rallies has additionally sparked surprising change for some. Kim Yu-jin (pseudonym) drew consideration final Dec. 11 at an impeachment rally in Busan’s Seomyeon district by figuring out herself as “a so-called bar woman” and urging fellow Koreans to take a better have a look at their democracy. This previous Nov. 13, Kim was considered one of many college students who took the 2026 School Scholastic Means Take a look at.
Throughout her speech final 12 months, Kim emphasised that “if all these points — the deaths of Coupang employees, violence in opposition to ladies, sexual minorities, folks with disabilities, migrant employees — stay unresolved, our democracy will nonetheless be imperfect.” A two-minute video of her speech garnered over 5 million views on X (previously Twitter) inside three days, prompting an outpouring of help.
A video of a girl who described herself as a “so-called bar woman” talking at an impeachment rally in Busan on Dec. 11, 2024, went viral for her name for solidarity with marginalized peoples throughout Korea. (nonetheless from X)
Kim give up her job at a karaoke bar at the start of this 12 months, and has spent the final 10 months finding out for the nationwide college entrance examination.
“Somebody who noticed a video of my rally statements and media interview sponsored me, together with each my tuition and dwelling bills, so I used to be in a position to give up my job and deal with my research,” she stated.
On the time, an nameless donor noticed Kim say throughout an interview, “I’m working to save lots of up cash for varsity. It’s late, however I wish to main in sociology and work as an activist.”
“I’m glad I stated it,” Kim stated of her viral speech. “I believed, occasionally, alternatives current themselves.”
She took trip of her schedule to attend a rally in opposition to the pressured demolition of the Yongjugol purple gentle district in Paju, Gyeonggi Province — a 10-hour spherical journey from Busan.
On Nov. 22, 2025, Min Ji-hwan, 17, speaks at a press convention by the Democratic Youth Community calling for the repeal of a proposed ordinance that will permit academies to maintain college students till midnight. (Ko Na-rin/Hankyoreh)
There have been additionally youngsters preventing to protect on a regular basis democracy. On Nov. 22, on the briefing room of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, amid a cluster of scholars in uniform, there was Min Ji-hwan, 17, wearing denims and a black jacket. He took the microphone.
“Many youngsters are affected by extreme schoolwork, finding out into the evening and returning house late,” he stated, his voice shaking.
“Ditch ordinances that violate the essential rights of adolescents proper now!” he stated forcefully.
In late October, when a invoice that will lengthen cram faculties’ necessary closing time from 10 pm to midnight was launched, the Democratic Youth Community, of which Min is a member, held a press convention to demand the invoice’s withdrawal.
Min, who desires of changing into a musical director, dropped out of highschool final 12 months to focus on finding out for an entrance examination to an utilized music program.
“I wasn’t very eager about social points, and didn’t know a lot about them,” he stated, including that he spent most of his time on drum follow.
That’s when the martial regulation declaration modified his life. On Dec. 7 of final 12 months, Min went out to a rally as a result of he was “offended at President Yoon Suk-yeol.” On Dec. 14, he screamed and cried when the Nationwide Meeting impeached Yoon. Since then, he’s been to round 30 rallies.
“I, only one particular person — a no one — can change the world,” he stated. The sentiment has turn into a supply of energy for Min. Braveness led him to behave and become involved.
“I believed that if we’re to forestall one other riot from occurring, I, as a citizen, want to review politics and democracy,” he stated. Explaining his causes for becoming a member of the Democratic Youth Community, he stated he “needed to speak about a greater world with different youngsters.”
There have been occasions when these round him disapproved.
“I posted my exercise within the Democratic Youth Community on social media, and buddies would textual content me, ‘Ji-hwan, you a leftie?’” he stated. “There are nonetheless a number of my friends who view politics as a joke or who help former President Yoon. That’s why I wish to use my voice.”
Min recognized the “shift to the far proper amongst younger males” as an issue that also must be addressed.
“I wish to let folks know that there are youngsters who usually are not far-right, ones who need democracy,” he stated. “Simply have a look at me.”
On the evening of Dec. 3, 2024, when Choi Se-yun, 25, noticed the information about martial regulation, she went straight to the Nationwide Meeting. That very same impulse took her to Namtaeryeong, the southern cross into Seoul, a couple of weeks later.
On Dec. 21, she heard that farmers driving tractors into the town to take part within the impeachment protests have been blocked on the hill on Namtaeryeong. The following morning, when she acquired off the subway station there, folks have been handing out hand heaters and meals, identical to how folks had handed out rice balls in the course of the Could 18 Democratization Motion of Gwangju in 1980.
Choi stated she was deeply touched on the sight of bizarre folks and farmers becoming a member of forces in Namtaeryeong. Throughout her have been the very form of peasants that she had discovered about throughout a historical past stroll on the Donghak Peasant Revolution organized by Platform C in Could. On the time, she had been moved to find out how the Korean peasants concerned within the rebellion 130 years in the past had positioned significance on equality, believing that God resides inside us all.
After graduating from artwork faculty, she put aside her desires of contributing to social change by way of artwork. Since April, she’s been a full-time activist within the civic group Platform C.
On April 14, 2025, Cho Yong-hwa, a trans girl who works as a researcher at a labor institute in Jeolla related to the Korean Confederation of Commerce Unions, holds up a labor headband product of the transgender delight flag colours. (Kim Myoung-jin/Hankyoreh)
There are additionally folks preventing to enhance an imperfect democracy. Rainbow flags symbolizing LGBTQ+ communities have been a mainstay of the impeachment protests. Whereas one of many prime calls for to come back out of the rallies was the enactment of an anti-discrimination regulation, the Lee administration has put this on the again burner.
Cho Yong-hwa took the stage for the primary time throughout an impeachment rally in Jeonju to oppose hate speech in opposition to migrants, and went on to offer 12 speeches throughout rallies over the previous 12 months. Throughout one, she got here out publicly as transgender.
“In the course of the timeframe of impeachment, I encountered the voices of different LGBTQ+ folks, and this made me assured to be myself in my local people,” she stated.
As a researcher at a labor assume tank affiliated with the North Jeolla department of the Korean Confederation of Commerce Unions, Cho has spent a number of time enthusiastic about the best way to deliver the LGBTQ+ group in Jeonju collectively and dealing towards that purpose. After the protests got here to an finish, Cho tried to maintain the spirit alive by bringing collectively 13 members of the native queer group for a writing group to share their lives and every day experiences as LGBTQ+ folks within the metropolis.
The group began as a seven-week program that had contributors meet weekly to debate native politics and the way they’re associated to the lives of the LGBTQ+ group and jot their ideas down in varied writing tasks. The times spent collectively stacked up, and naturally have led to a friendship of a kind, with members checking in on each other and sharing meals with each other at occasions.
That care that they’ve proven for each other has changed into group, even after this system ended. This previous August, a lesbian couple that’d been in this system tried to register their marriage at Jeonju’s Wansan District Workplace, solely to be turned away.
Whereas the registration was denied, “ten folks from the writing group got here to the district workplace and congratulated them on their marriage,” Cho stated. To them, the protests after martial regulation have been a breath of recent air. As with many individuals, it was a “place for the unvoiced to make themselves heard.”
On this approach, many Koreans who got here collectively within the streets to combat for Korea’s democracy have come to know, look after, lean on, and combat for each other to this present day.
By Shin Dong-wook, workers reporter; Kim Hyo-sil, workers reporter; Ko Na-rin, workers reporter; Jung Dae-ha, Gwangju correspondent
Please direct questions or feedback to [english@hani.co.kr]
