Over 50,000 Koreans protested against the removal of ousted president Yoon Suk-Yeol (윤석열) at Dong-Daegu Station, on Saturday, Feb 8. Citizens from all across the nation traveled to Daegu. Multiple conservative members of the Korean National Assembly also joined, which in turn created one of the largest pro-Yoon rallies in months.
The Republic of Korea, similar to the US, now follows a two-party system: the conservative People Power Party (PPP) and the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). The impeached President Yoon, a member of the PPP, fell into a political crisis after his unsuccessful martial law declaration.
Yoon’s removal from office, pending a final judgment by the Constitutional Court, intensified political divisions, as his supporters viewed the impeachment as an attempt of the DPK to consolidate power. Furthermore, the corruption scandals of opposition leader Lee Jae-myung sparked national debate over the accountability of his party and led to many conservatives’ extreme detest over the National Assembly’s stances.
Jeon Han-gil (전한길), a history lecturer and conservative speaker, stood on the front lines as the main speaker of the rally. Jeon also assembled previous protests in Busan and other cities. He expressed disdain for liberalists and defended President Yoon in a two-hour address. He sharply criticized the opposition and called it a “destruction of democracy.”
In the past, famous politicians or even past presidents hosted such protests. However, conservatives now believe that mainstream media often prompts distrust, arguing that “YouTubers and independent bloggers are actually reporting more accurately.” This distrust in established news outlets reflects a broader shift in how political information is consumed and shared.
“What was enacted was not martial law! This is an age of enlightenment! (계엄령이 아닙니다! 계몽령입니다!)” Jeon shouted. The wordplay of the terms Gye Um Lyong (계엄령; martial law) and Gye Mong Lyong (계몽령; an age of enlightenment) strengthened the idea among protesters that Yoon’s impeachment was unjust and driven by partisan motives.
In addition to Jeon’s defense of martial law, an anonymous protester denounced the DPK-led National Assembly of Korea as an inevitable cause of this action. “In my opinion, [the DPK] attempted impeachment 29 times, and therefore the legislative branch paralyzed the executive branch—creating an effective dictatorship [of the DPK]. Because of this, martial law had to be declared,” he said. This perspective highlights the deep-seated belief among Yoon’s supporters that his actions were necessary, not unlawful.
Whispers of democracy ran through the protest, and participants harbored varying opinions. Protesters, which included Kim Chae-il (김채일), who “came out to prevent South Korea from becoming communist under North Korea,” linked their anti-impeachment stance to economic concerns. Kim argued that the current efforts and budget cuts would destabilize the economy.
One of the demonstrators, Hwang Hogu (황호구), explained the need to preserve democracy. “The country is in a very precarious situation [Lee becoming president], so I could not just stay at home. I have come here to join those protecting democracy and saving the country,” he further explained that his intent to make the new generation conscious of such political issues would not change.
But not all came to agree with the protesters’ perspectives. Opposition MP Yu-Jung Kang said, “Certain radical groups have taken an increasingly active role in anti-impeachment movements…attempting to overpower their opponents through sheer volume, intensity, and intimidation.”
Additionally, she emphasized that the media must verify facts rather than merely report both sides. She said, “It must engage in critical verification, striving not just for quantitative balance but for a balance of truthful information and moral integrity.”
Kang further argued that conservatism needs a new definition. “It is time to rethink what conservatism truly means. Conservatism is not simply about supporting those in power. It is about preserving traditional values and moderating the pace of change to avoid societal instability,” she said.
She addressed the issue of biased conservatism in Daegu by outlining four key principles to create a more politically successful nation: “First, differences should never justify violence. Second, we must become discerning enough to distinguish between truth and conspiracy. Third, civic education is essential for developing independent thinking. Finally, we should believe in the potential and value of change.”
For others, the issue represented a broader societal struggle. A 2023 Gallup Korea survey found that 62% of South Koreans believe that political polarization worsened over the past decade, with impeachment cases only exacerbating the divides.
Daegu, a historically strong base for the PPP, expressed over 70% support for Yoon in the last presidential election. Given its deep-rooted conservatism, countless residents perceive the impeachment as an attack on their values. As a result, the protests in Daegu stretched its purpose not only on Yoon but also on the defense of the region’s long-standing political identity.
As disputes intensify the polarization of Korean societies, supporters of Yoon call for unity against what they see as diplomatically motivated removal from office. The opposition insists on upholding constitutional integrity and preventing authoritarian overreach. The outcome of the impeachment process remains in the shadows; however, the nationwide unrest demonstrates how deeply the nation debates this issue.
This story was originally published on Jets Flyover on March 17, 2025.