"The only stan war that's accepted"- Internet reacts as a sea of K-pop bands' light sticks illuminates the pro-democracy protests in South Korea

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024, citing national security threats. This unprecedented move plunged the country into political chaos, sparking nationwide protests by students, citizens, and opposition lawmakers.

The crisis has since escalated, with public backlash intensifying after an impeachment vote against the president failed on December 7, 2024. Following the martial law announcement, South Koreans took to the streets in massive protests, condemning Yoon Suk-yeol's decision as a threat to democracy.

Demonstrators channeled the nation’s global cultural soft power, K-pop, into their activism. Protesters played iconic songs like G-Dragon’s Crooked, aespa’s Whiplash, BTS’ Fire, and Girls’ Generation’s Into the New World. These tracks, often associated with themes of rebellion, perseverance, and hope, resonated with the crowd’s calls for change.

Many protesters brought light sticks from their favorite K-pop groups, turning the demonstrations into a sea of light for pro-democracy moves. The global K-pop community saw the usage of light sticks (symbols of fandom unity) by South Korean people become tools of resistance, with participants waving them while chanting slogans such as "impeach Yoon Suk Yeol!"

University campuses nationwide transformed into hubs of dissent. Students organized sit-ins, marches, and public speeches, calling for the preservation of democratic values. Candlelight vigils were held nightly since December 4, 2024, after the martial law was lifted the same morning at 4.27 AM and the military started withdrawing from the streets.

International fans lauded South Korean citizens for their method of protesting and flooded social media with support. One fan wrote on X:

"The only stan war that's accepted is when we unionize and war against oppression. Fighting!"

Global fans stated that South Korea’s political crisis is far from over, and the ongoing public protests have highlighted how the K-pop community has stood up for the country's democracy. Some fans said that K-pop groups must have watched these clips and felt proud of their fans.

"If I ever see another idiot say kpop isn’t political I’m gunna lose it. You are a human before you are a fan and using that community you found together while in a shared experience to make change is what fandoms are for. This is quite literally what community looks like," one fan noted.

"I know there are idols seeing these videos and are just proud of their fans. Because let’s be real they can’t “explicitly” come out and talk about what’s happening. Or it’s not encouraged. But their fans can - why wouldn’t they be proud their fans are standing up for injustice?" another fan said.

"I love the spirit of the Korean people. They stood up to injustice and are continuing to fight. I pray their hard work and perseverance," another fan added.

Others underscored how K-pop was re-established as a "HARDCORE power" from being the "soft power" of South Korea.

"As a proud kpop fan, I’m truly admired by the creativity of protesters in Korea. Not only the light wouldn’t be blown, it connects every fan around the world to have their eyes on the current political situation in SK. You can be a Kpop fan and defend democracy at the same time," one fan said.

"Not to make lite of what is happening, but I love how lightsticks are so engrained in Korean culture that Koreans choose to bring them to one of the biggest political protests in quite some time," another fan wrote.

"Soft power no more for K-pop <3 this is HARDCORE power for the people <3" another fan emphasized.

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Political turmoil in South Korea sparks calls for President Yoon Suk-yeol's resignation despite impeachment vote failure

The opposition-controlled National Assembly swiftly filed an impeachment motion, accusing President Yoon Suk-yeol of allegedly abusing his presidential authority and violating the Constitution. On December 7, hours before the impeachment vote, President Yoon Suk-yeol issued a public apology during a televised address.

"I am very sorry and would like to sincerely apologise to the people who were shocked. I leave it up to my party to take steps to stabilise the political situation in the future, including the issue of my term in office.” Yoon said, promising there would be no second attempt.

Afterward, the same day (December 7), the impeachment motion fell just eight votes short of the required two-thirds majority.

Al Jazeera reported that over 108 members of the People Power Party (PPP), President Yoon Suk-yeol's ruling party, reportedly walked out of the session, blocking the vote from succeeding. This move was seen as a tactical maneuver to prevent defections from their ranks in the anonymous voting process.

The failure of the impeachment vote has further angered protesters, who view the outcome as evidence of political impunity.

The Independent reported that after the impeachment vote failed on December 7, South Korea's People Power Party's (PPP) leader, Han Dong-hoon, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated that President Yoon Suk-yeol's official role would be "minimized."

“Through Yoon’s early and orderly exit from office, we will minimize confusion, stabilize the political situation and properly establish free democracy,” Han Dong-hoon said.

He continued:

“The president will effectively be excluded from his duties, including foreign policy and other state affairs, and the prime minister will consult with the party to ensure that the administration of state affairs proceeds without any disruptions.”

Previously, on December 6, BBC reported that prosecutors launched investigations into the President's martial law declaration, scrutinizing its legality and the validity of the threats he cited as justification. Opposition lawmakers (Democratic Party of Korea) filed cases seeking his removal from office.

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Despite surviving the impeachment vote, President Yoon Suk-yeol faces growing political and public pressure. The Korea Times reported that his approval ratings plummeted by 25% on December 3, and divisions within the PPP suggest potential instability in his administration and across South Korea.

Meanwhile, protests continue to escalate across South Korea, with citizens vowing to sustain their efforts until President Yoon Suk-yeok steps down.