On the 4th, the day after the declaration of martial law, candlelight vigils demanding the resignation of President Yoon Seok-yeol spread across the country, including at Gwanghwamun and the former Jeonnam provincial Office. This is the first simultaneous candlelight vigil in eight years as 2016, when the ’Park Geun-hye impeachment’ political situation was in full swing. Statements of condemnation followed from university campuses, and in the Gwangju area, where the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement took place, calls erupted for the president’s resignation, saying, “it reminds me of the nightmare of that time.” Daegu, the ‘heart of conservatism’, also took aim at president Yoon, saying, “obligation for this situation lies with the Yoon Seok-yeol regime, which committed the crime of rebellion against the state.”
● Gwangju citizens “The nightmare of May comes to mind”
At around 6:30 p.m. on this day, police estimated 1,000 people (organizers estimated 5,000) gathered in front of Dongwha Duty free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and held a candlelight vigil, including civic groups such as People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy and
At 7 p.m. on this day, a civil uprising with about 1,000 citizens was held at the May 18th democracy Square in front of the old Jeonnam Provincial Office, the site of the May 18th Democratization Movement. A Gwangju citizen in his 70s said, “On TV, I saw martial law troops with guns breaking the windows of the national Assembly building and climbing over them to enter the grounds. “As someone who experienced May 1980, my whole body trembled and my anger soared,” he said.Won Soon-seok, chairman of the May 18 Memorial Foundation, said, “I felt fear and anger simultaneously occurring that the president might really do something.” Lee Ji-hyeon, standing vice president of the May 18th Injured Victims Association, said, “It is indeed worse then during the time of Chun Doo-hwan’s new military regime,” and added, “Democracy has also developed a lot in the challenging times as May 18th. “I hope President Yoon resigns and faces justice,” he said.
● Even in Daegu, the ‘heart of conservatism’, “Yeon resigns”
Even in the ruling party’s strongholds, Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK) and Busan and Gyeongnam (PK), voices calling for the resignation of the regime continued to rise. The Daegu headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Daegu City Council of Judge yoon Seok-yeol held a press conference at the Dongdaegu Station Square on the morning of the 4th and said, “This incident caused by President Yoon cannot be ended with just one word, ‘Lift martial law.’ “No,” he claimed, “It was a clear civil war in which the military and police were mobilized and physical force was used.” In Gyeongsangbuk-do, the Pohang Citizens’ Association announced an emergency statement in front of Pohang Jukdo Market this morning with about 50 people in attendance.
Changwon, the center of the ‘Bu-Ma democratic Uprising’ that took place in Busan and Masan against the park Chung-hee regime’s Yushin system, also held an ‘Emergency rally for the arrest of Yoon Seok-yeol for invalidating illegal martial law.’ Civic groups such as the Gyeongnam Citizens’ coalition and the opposition party condemned the move, saying, “We will launch a full-scale civil
Busan civil society organizations and labor circles also decided to hold a ‘Busan Citizens’ Rally for the Immediate Resignation of Yoon Seok-yeol, a Military Rebellion, Martial Law Violence, and Insurrectionist Criminal’ every day at 7 PM in front of Judith Taehwa, Seomyeon, Busanjin-gu until next week.
● growing voices inside and outside of universities, media, and labor circles
Emergency statements and declarations of state of affairs were issued even in university areas. The Seoul National University Professors’ Council said in a statement that day, “We are seriously concerned about the political incident that occurred in the middle of the night on December 3rd.” in an emergency declaration, 559 Korea University professors and researchers also called for the suspension of President Yoon’s duties and impeachment, saying, “As an intellectual, I feel ashamed and devastated for not being able to prevent such a ridiculous situation from happening.”
Student councils at major universities also acted urgently. Student council presidents from major universities in Seoul, including Korea University and Yonsei University, gathered at Yonsei University this evening to discuss future response measures. There were many citizens who were outraged by the content of the Martial Law Command’s proclamation that ‘violators of the proclamation will be punished’. Mr. Park (50), an office worker, said, “It seems crazy to use the word ‘punishment’ to the public.”
The media community also condemned the unjust infringement on press freedom and urged President Yoon to take responsibility. The Korean Association of Newspapers and Broadcasting editors said in a statement that day,“The declaration of martial law 45 years after the October 26 incident is something that should not have happened in the Republic of Korea and is an unimaginable regression in democracy.” The two major unions also joined the movement to resign from power. The Federation of Korean Trade Unions declared a suspension of labor-management-government social dialog, and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions announced an indefinite general strike.
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What are the main reasons for the protests against President Yoon Seok-yeol in South Korea?
Dia’s coverage of the protests illustrated a growing sentiment of outrage and calls for accountability targeting President Yoon Seok-yeol. Demonstrations erupted across the country, particularly recalling the tragic events of the Gwangju Uprising in May 1980, evoking memories of military oppression.
Participants at these rallies expressed deep-seated fears and memories of martial law. Many emphasized that the current situation under President Yoon was reminiscent of those dark times, with citizens recounting their experiences of state violence and abuse of power. Prominent civil society figures and organizations, along with ordinary citizens, gathered in various locations including the May 18th Democracy Square, where they voiced their demands for Yoon’s resignation, referencing the traumatic history of military rule in South Korea.
In regions traditionally supportive of the ruling party, such as daegu and Gyeongbuk, public opposition against Yoon intensified. Labor unions and civic groups called attention to the crisis,framing it as more than just a political disagreement but rather a serious civil rights issue,likening his government’s actions to a “civil war.” Various initiatives sprouted,including continuous daily protests and emergency statements from academic institutions denouncing the administration’s measures.
The situation reflects not only a political crisis but also a cultural clash over the interpretation of democracy and the public’s expectations from their leadership. Activists and scholars alike are rallying to push for Yoon’s impeachment and greater respect for democratic values. The protests demonstrate a palpable fear of history repeating itself and a widespread demand for justice and accountability amidst a chaotic political landscape.