Younger generation's protest spirit signals enduring political engagement

Protesters sing in celebration during a rally in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Saturday, following the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yonhap

When news broke at 5 p.m. on Saturday that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment motion had passed, hundreds of thousands outside the National Assembly erupted in cheers, reaffirming the timeless truth that history is shaped by its people.

According to rally organizers, the overjoyed crowd was estimated to be at 2 million, while police figures stood only at 200,000.

The 11-day protests following the Dec. 3 martial law scandal introduced a new demonstration culture — replacing candles with light sticks and folk songs with K-pop. Notably, young Koreans in their 20s and 30s, especially women, stood out.

Experts now anticipate that this experience could lead to sustained political engagement from this demographic.

Many young protesters gathered outside the National Assembly told the Hankook Ilbo that this would not be their last demonstration.

While the impeachment motion was approved, they said they were committed to ensuring their activism wasn’t a one-off event and pledged to stay politically engaged.

Kim, 26, who attended the protests daily for a week, recalled the frustration of the initial failure to meet the voting quorum on Dec. 7 due to the ruling party’s walkout. “We won’t let ignorance be our downfall again,” she said, adding that she and her friends planned to study the impeachment process further.

Another participant in his 20s was collecting special edition newspapers commemorating the impeachment vote, saying he intentionally took home politically diverse publications.

“While most media were unified leading up to the impeachment, I want to see the differing perspectives on what comes next,” he said.

Protesters cheer with light sticks in hand in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Saturday, as the second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol was passed. Korea Times photo by Choi Joo-yeon

Call for protest at Constitutional Court

On social media, discussions are now urging people to attend demonstrations in front of the Constitutional Court, where the next phase of the impeachment process will unfold.

The vibrant protests, where participants waved light sticks and chanted “Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol” to K-pop tunes, transformed the perception of political gatherings.

Kang So-young, 29, a first-time protester, initially hesitated. “I wasn’t sure if enjoying myself like I was at a concert was appropriate,” she said. “But I realized that the essence of both protests and politics is about making our voices heard. That gave me the confidence to sing even louder.”

For others, the demonstrations dismantled preconceived notions about politics and activism. Park Ji-soo, 27, who once avoided political discussions, said, “I used to think politics was too partisan and protests too aggressive. But now I see how they can address issues like deepfake crimes and housing scams that directly impact us. I’ll keep attending related demonstrations.”

A man wearing a mask with the word "Impeachment" written on it waves light sticks as he takes part in a protest calling for the ouster of President Yoon Suk Yeol near the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday. AFP-Yonhap

Rediscovering meaning of solidarity

For some 20 and 30-somethings, the protests offered a lesson in solidarity. Kang, 30, was moved by acts of generosity, such as people prepaying for hundreds of beverages at nearby cafes and sharing snacks and hand warmers.

“Seeing people endure discomfort together and care for one another inspired me to reflect on how I can contribute to a better society,” Kang said.

Chang Yoon-seok, 29, from Seoul's Songpa District, noted the inclusion of marginalized voices during the protests. “Women, people with disabilities and LGBTQ individuals took the stage, and I learned about struggles I had ignored. It was a moment of reckoning for me,” Chang said.

He also called for greater male participation. “There weren’t enough men in their 20s here. I hope more of us will join to ensure everyone has a platform to be heard,” he said.

A catalyst for change

Hallym University sociology professor Shin Kyung-ah described the young protesters, particularly women, as generational and gender minorities.

“As democracy evolves, issues affecting minorities naturally improve. I expect the 2030 generation, led by women, to actively participate in shaping the political landscape,” she said.

Roh Jin-cheol, a sociology professor at Kyungpook National University, highlighted the broadening of public empathy.

“This movement extended awareness to areas previously overlooked by older generations, like issues affecting women, laborers and immigrants," Roh said. "Having realized politics isn’t out of reach, the 2030 generation is poised to become an active force for societal progress.”

Participants hold signs and light sticks calling for the arrest and dismissal of President Yoon Suk Yeol during a rally in Seoul, Sunday.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.