{"id":2208479,"date":"2025-02-21T11:58:33","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T02:58:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2208479"},"modified":"2025-02-21T14:47:22","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T05:47:22","slug":"why-south-korean-protests-are-becoming-more-festive-and-less-ideological","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2025\/02\/why-south-korean-protests-are-becoming-more-festive-and-less-ideological\/","title":{"rendered":"Why South Korean protests are becoming more festive and less ideological"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Korea\u2019s protest culture has transformed from structured, ideological movements into decentralized, humor-driven demonstrations shaped by digital platforms. This shift, propelled by younger generations, enables greater inclusivity and rapid mobilization but raises concerns about long-term impact and leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

The contrast between past and present protests was especially evident in the backlash against President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s <\/span>martial law declaration<\/span><\/a>, where satire and digital coordination played a crucial role in mobilization.<\/span><\/p>\n

FROM STRUCTURE TO SPONTANEITY<\/b><\/p>\n

During South Korea\u2019s <\/span>authoritarian past<\/span><\/a>, protests were highly organized, often led by student political groups such as the National College Students\u2019 Council and the Korean Federation of University Students Councils.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe government outlawed protests [during the authoritarian era], so demonstrations were planned in secrecy, with participants unaware of details until the last moment to evade government suppression,\u201d Choi You-seok, a professor of social welfare at Hallym University, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a result, protesters operated in tightly knit groups \u2014 usually no more than 10 students \u2014 fostering a sense of solidarity as they faced significant personal risks, including tear gas attacks, police beatings and imprisonment, Choi added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a deep sense of solidarity among the protesters back then. Then there were the high risks that they faced from the police \u2014 tear gas, beatings, imprisonment,\u201d the Hallym University professor said. \u201cSo, many university campuses did not allow police entry, which further limited public participation, which in turn further solidified the sense of solidarity.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In contrast, today\u2019s protests emphasize spontaneity and individual participation. Younger generations, detached from the memories of dictatorship, engage in demonstrations that feel more like public gatherings than high-risk political actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

The protests against Yoon\u2019s martial law order exemplified this change \u2014 participants carried <\/span>satirical flags<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>sang parodied songs<\/span><\/a> and engaged in digital activism by <\/span>pre-purchasing food and coffee<\/span><\/a> for demonstrators through online platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

South Korean citizens gather in front of Gwanghwamun Square to protest President Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law declaration, Dec. 4, 2024 | Image: Korea Pro<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA<\/b><\/p>\n

The widespread use of social media has redefined how protests are organized and executed. Platforms like KakaoTalk and Facebook allow rapid information-sharing, enabling mass mobilization without centralized leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

Min Seong-jae, a professor of political communication at Pace University, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that social media amplifies protest messages and facilitates coordination, making demonstrations more accessible to a broader audience.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis effect is particularly strong in Korea as Koreans are among the world\u2019s most connected on social media,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

This digital-driven activism has also changed the nature of those who participate in the protests. Whereas the sense of heightened danger forced protesters in the past to form small, close-knit groups, liberalization and social media have allowed a much broader spectrum of the public to join the protests.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a repeat of the culture that was borne out of the widespread protests against then-President Park Geun-hye, the demonstrations against Yoon also included older generations, high school students and even families with children due to their open nature and festival-like atmosphere.<\/span><\/p>\n

CHALLENGES OF DECENTRALIZATION<\/b><\/p>\n

While the new protest culture fosters inclusivity, it also presents challenges in sustainability and effectiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProtests in the 1980s regularly mobilized thousands of students around major issues such as workers\u2019 rights and reunification. In contrast, modern demonstrations tend to be smaller and often dissipate quickly as social media attention shifts,\u201d Choi of Hallym University, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The lack of centralized leadership also makes it difficult to articulate clear demands and negotiate with the government.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTranslating protesters\u2019 demands to policy outcomes after negotiation with authorities may not be easy without centralized leadership. Specific and actionable demands may not come out easily from a rather amorphous and spontaneous social media-driven protest group,\u201d Min of Pace University told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWithout centralized leadership, […] protests may find it difficult to sustain momentum.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

IMPACT AND FUTURE OUTLOOK<\/b><\/p>\n

The evolution of South Korea\u2019s protest culture reflects broader democratic and technological changes. The rise of digital activism has made demonstrations more accessible and engaging, attracting a diverse range of participants.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the long-term impact of these movements remains uncertain, as decentralized protests face challenges in leadership, organization and sustainability. As South Korea navigates political and social crises, the effectiveness of this new protest culture will be tested in shaping the country\u2019s future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Culture & Society<\/span><\/a>Domestic Politics<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

South Korea\u2019s protest culture has transformed from structured, ideological movements into decentralized, humor-driven demonstrations shaped by digital platforms. This shift, propelled by younger generations, enables greater inclusivity and rapid mobilization but raises concerns about long-term impact and leadership. The contrast between past and present protests was especially evident in the backlash against President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10407,"featured_media":2207423,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[25,27],"class_list":["post-2208479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis","tag-culture-society","tag-domestic-politics"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy South Korean protests are becoming more festive and less ideological - Korea Pro<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2025\/02\/why-south-korean-protests-are-becoming-more-festive-and-less-ideological\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why South Korean protests are becoming more festive and less ideological - Korea Pro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"South Korea\u2019s protest culture has transformed from structured, ideological movements into decentralized, humor-driven demonstrations shaped by digital platforms. 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