Demonstrators in Seoul: "Too angry to sleep"

Demonstrators in South Korea defy the cold and spend the night outside the parliament in anger. We'll leave when the president has resigned, says one of them to TT.

» Published:

Demonstrators in Seoul: "Too angry to sleep"
Photo: Cornelia Mikaelsson/TT

Share this article

It's minus degrees and the last autumn leaves are falling on Seoul's streets. Neither Shin Heesoo nor Kim Namkyung has slept since South Korea's president shocked the world with a state of emergency that lasted six hours.

The sleep deprivation doesn't stop them from demonstrating outside the parliament when the clock has passed midnight to Thursday local time.

The shock has worn off and now I feel mostly angry. I'm too angry to sleep and then I might as well be here, says Shin Heesoo.

Sorrowful days

Kim Namkyung believes that the sorrow will hit with full force in a few days.

For many who lived when Korea was not a democracy, it has been a few sorrowful days. Younger people may have had a harder time understanding what has actually happened.

Wednesday was characterized by a gigantic demonstration march through Seoul's streets up to the parliament. During the following night, a few packed barricades are the only witnesses that demonstrations have taken place.

Outside the parliament, which is guarded around the clock, police officers happily tell when the next demonstration will be held.

The positive thing is that it feels like we are many who stand united in this issue, says Kim Namkyung.

"All welcome"

Only a few of the night's demonstrators knew each other beforehand.

It wasn't organized or so, I just think we were a few who felt that we couldn't sit at home and came here. But now we've become friends. Really good friends, actually, says Kim Namkyung.

To survive the night's cold, they have brought "hot packs", which are small heat pads that can keep warm for several hours.

Passers-by are offered a "hot pack" if they choose to stay and join the silent demonstration.

All are welcome, says Kim Namkyung.

South Korea's president Yoon Suk-Yeol, who belongs to the conservative party People's Party (PPP), introduced a state of emergency in the evening of December 3 to protect the country from "communist forces".

During the night towards December 4, the parliament, with the Democratic Party (DP) in majority, voted to repeal the war laws, and the state of emergency was declared invalid.

President Yoon Suk-Yeol later announced in a televised speech that he would lift the state of emergency, which totally lasted for about six hours.

The opposition now wants to bring the president to trial and the country's largest trade union has called for a general strike until he resigns.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Far-Right AFD Gains in German Local Elections as CDU Holds Lead

Far-Right AFD Gains in German Local Elections as CDU Holds Lead

Lula Defends Bolsonaro Verdict as Upholding Democracy, Not a Witch Hunt

Lula Defends Bolsonaro Verdict as Upholding Democracy, Not a Witch Hunt

Over 100,000 Join Pro-Palestinian Protest in Madrid, Disrupting Cycling Event

Over 100,000 Join Pro-Palestinian Protest in Madrid, Disrupting Cycling Event

Massive Ankara Protest Backs Turkish Opposition Amid Court Case

Massive Ankara Protest Backs Turkish Opposition Amid Court Case

Romania Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Airspace Violation

Romania Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Airspace Violation

Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Not Cooperating with Authorities

Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Not Cooperating with Authorities

Qatar Calls for Punishment of Israel After Attack in Doha

Qatar Calls for Punishment of Israel After Attack in Doha

Starmer Condemns Violence and Racism After London Protest

Starmer Condemns Violence and Racism After London Protest

Russian Fishing Vessel Rescued After Power Failure in Danish Waters

Russian Fishing Vessel Rescued After Power Failure in Danish Waters

Ukraine Linked to Russian Train Sabotage Causing Fatalities and Disruptions

Ukraine Linked to Russian Train Sabotage Causing Fatalities and Disruptions

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Escalating Conflict and Overcrowded Camps

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Escalating Conflict and Overcrowded Camps

Explosion in Madrid Leaves One Dead and 25 Injured

Explosion in Madrid Leaves One Dead and 25 Injured

Ukrainian Drones Target Major Russian Oil Refinery Near St. Petersburg

Ukrainian Drones Target Major Russian Oil Refinery Near St. Petersburg

15 Dead in Truck Crash Involving Passenger Car in Southeastern Mexico

15 Dead in Truck Crash Involving Passenger Car in Southeastern Mexico

Nepal's First Female Leader Sushila Karki Promises Six-Month Term

Nepal's First Female Leader Sushila Karki Promises Six-Month Term

Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona on September 21

Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona on September 21

Love Motive Suspected in Charlie Kirk's Murder Investigation

Love Motive Suspected in Charlie Kirk's Murder Investigation

US Expert: Polarization No Longer Describes America's Divisions

US Expert: Polarization No Longer Describes America's Divisions

New Vaccine Offers Hope Against Chlamydia for Australia's Koalas

New Vaccine Offers Hope Against Chlamydia for Australia's Koalas

Zelenskyj Urges Allies to Strengthen Sanctions on Russian Oil

Zelenskyj Urges Allies to Strengthen Sanctions on Russian Oil