As South Koreans took to the streets this month to demand the ouster of their president, some found an unexpected outlet to express their anger: jokes and satire.
They held up banners and flags with whimsical messages about cats, sea otters and food. They waved signs joking that President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law had forced them to leave the comfort of their beds. Images of the flags have been widely circulated on social networks.
The idea was to use humor to build solidarity against Mr. Yoon, who has vowed to fight impeachment over his ill-fated martial law decree on Dec. 3. Some waved flags for non-existent bands as a parody. of real groups such as trade unions, churches or student clubs.
Video Yu Young Jin/The New York Times
Photos by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times
“I just wanted to show that even though we're not part of a civic group, we're here as part of the people,” said Kim Sae-rim, 28, who waved a dumpling group flag at a recent protest. went with friends. Some groups referenced other local favorites like pizza and red bean pastries.
Veteran protester Kwon Oh-hyouck said it was the first time he had seen such flags appear. Demonstrations in 2016 and 2017 resulting in the resignation of President Park Geun-hye. Satire is part of Korea's spirit of protest, Mr. Kwon said.
“People satirize serious situations, even when those in power come out with guns and knives,” he said. “They don't scare them.”
In the last month, protesters have come out with various unusual groups. Some called themselves housemen. Others came together like people suffering from motion sickness.
Video by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
Photos by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times
Video by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times
Photo Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
Lee Kihoon, a professor of modern Korean history at Yonsei University in Seoul, said he believes the flags at this month's protests are an expression of the diversity of people who have been invigorated by the president's attempt to impose military rule.
“They are trying to say: 'This situation is unacceptable even for those who have nothing to do with our political groups,'” he said. “'I'm not a member of any party, but this is outrageous.'”
Some held signs mocking Mr. Yoon, saying he separated them from their pets at home and violated their Korean drama viewing regime. One group called itself an association of people behind schedule, referring to the idea that the need to protest martial law forced them to change their destination.
Photo: Weiyi Cai/The New York Times
Photo Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
And of course there were both real and fake animals.
Photos by Weiyi Cai/The New York Times
South Koreans have shown that protests for serious causes — like the ousting of a president — can still be an inviting, upbeat, carnival-like atmosphere.
“I don't know if the protesters realized it, but although they were angry, they were not serious, serious or moralistic,” Mr Lee said. “Flags have the effect of softening and easing tension.”
On the day lawmakers voted to impeach Mr. Yoon, K-pop-loving protesters brought light sticks to rallies and danced to pop songs blaring from speakers. Big Bang fan Lee Jung-min, 31, said, “Even though it's a serious day, we can enjoy it and cheer up.”
Video by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times