On Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 5:00 PM, the impeachment motion against President Yun Seok Yeol was passed in the National Assembly. With an astounding million citizens gathered outside the Korean National Assembly, the motion narrowly surpassed the required 200 votes, achieving 204 in favor. As a result, Yun Seok Yeol was suspended from office. This came after President Yoon's shocking declaration of martial law on December 3, which led to daily peaceful protests from countless citizens. Amid tears of joy, the citizens cheered, singing "Into the New World" by Girls’ Generation together. It was a historic moment in modern Korean history that will be remembered for years to come. The people reaffirmed Article 1 of the Constitution: " The Republic of Korea shall be a democratic republic."

12 Days of Protests in Freezing Weather Outside the National Assembly Until December 14
On December 3 at 10:23 p.m., President Yun Seok Yeol declared illegal and unconstitutional martial law, an act widely regarded as a self-coup. Days later, on December 7, the first parliamentary vote to impeach him failed. The declaration of martial law on December 3 sent shockwaves through the country. Over the next 11 tense days, many citizens endured sleepless nights, waiting anxiously for the impeachment vote. Martial law was lifted just over six hours after the coup, but concerns lingered that it could be reinstated at any moment. The initial impeachment vote failed as ruling party lawmakers boycotted the proceedings, despite the presence of over one million protesters. Concerned about the possibility of military intervention, citizens vigilantly guarded the National Assembly daily to ensure no troops could re-enter the grounds. They also held nightly protests in front of the National Assembly the ruling party's offices.

The protests united older citizens who had lived through military dictatorships and younger generations who strongly opposed the coup. Despite the freezing winter, they stood together to defend democracy, supporting and encouraging each other.

President Yun Seok Yeol Suspended for Declaring Unconstitutional Martial Law
The details of the coup attempt are not fully known, but some facts are clear. After martial law was declared on December 3, helicopters carrying soldiers hovered over the National Assembly, and armed troops entered the premises. By midnight, more soldiers and armored vehicles were deployed the Assembly. Additionally, police under the coup's control blocked lawmakers from entering the Assembly to vote on lifting martial law. The impeachment motion passed on December 14 accused President Yoon of declaring martial law to avoid scandals involving himself and his wife and to distract from his failed governance. It stated that Yoon violated constitutional principles like popular sovereignty, the president's duty to uphold the Constitution, and military neutrality. The use of 24 helicopters, 297 soldiers, and armored vehicles to block the Assembly and detain lawmakers was called a "coup-like rebellion." The motion listed eight violations of criminal and martial law and 16 breaches of constitutional rights, including limits on democratic representation, freedom of speech, the press, assembly and association. It has also been revealed that the martial law plan was carefully reviewed in advance, at least before December 1. Shocking allegations are under investigation, including plans to provoke North Korea into a local conflict and to prepare underground bunkers for the illegal detention of lawmakers and citizens.

"Doing the Right Thing"
When martial law was declared, citizens rushed at the National Assembly to support lawmakers. They helped lawmakers climb over the fence to vote on lifting martial law and stood in the way of military vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and police buses. One by one, they approached young soldiers, most in their early to mid-20s, and urged them, “Never do anything harmful to others.” Many of those who stood up to the soldiers outside the Assembly were from the generation that had experienced military dictatorship. Among them were two middle school boys who had taken a taxi. And high school and college students also kept watch at the Assembly gates in small groups, staying day and night for after martial law was lifted.
On the night of December 7, as the first impeachment vote was scheduled, two high school girls were guarding a gate of the National Assembly while studying for their final exams. One of them appeared on a YouTuber’s live stream and said, “I came from Ulsan(four hours away by bus). My dad scolded me, but I’m doing the right thing.” Her words received lots of support and encouragement from viewers.

March to the Ruling Party Headquarters - The Power of Young Women
From December 4 to December 14, protests and marches were held every evening in front of the National Assembly. People of all ages and genders participated, but young women in their late teens and early twenties were particularly prominent. Instead of the traditional candles, symbolic of Korean protest culture, these women carried K-pop light sticks, creating a powerful and unique presence. For 12 consecutive days, the protests at the National Assembly and marches toward the ruling People Power Party(PPP) headquarters were illuminated by the colorful glow of countless light sticks carried by these young women. The march to the PPP headquarters was particularly important, as the ruling party held the casting vote needed to pass President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment.

Uniting One by One
Some citizens brought large supplies of hand warmers to share with others at the protests. Those who couldn’t attend kept a close eye on the news and watched live streams of the protests on YouTube. Others prepaid for drinks and food at nearby cafes, bakeries, and restaurants, allowing protesters to eat or warm up whenever needed. Both anonymous donors and well-known K-pop idols joined in this effort. A map and website were created to guide protesters to these prepaid stores. One woman, a mother with a baby, used her vacation savings to rent a bus parked near the National Assembly, providing a space for other mothers to comfortably change their babies’ diapers.

At each protest, many citizens brought along witty flags they had designed and made themselves. These flags, aimed at bringing smiles and encouragement to those weary from the cold, carried humorous names like "National Stay-at-Home Union (Introverts)," "Cat Paw Enthusiasts Club," "TK Eldest Daughter Association(TK is referring to Korea’s most conservative region)" , "Spaghetti Monster," and "Couch Potato Otaku." The vibrant flags fluttered across the protest grounds, adding humor and a sense of solidarity. As the number of participants grew, nearby buildings around the National Assembly opened their restrooms to the protesters. These acts of kindness and the shared courage among citizens reminded many that the world can still be a place worth living in.

Remembering Gwangju 1980: Did the Dead Save the Living?
On December 12, 2024, a man in his 50s took the open mic stage during the Candlelight Culture Festival—a rally organized by civil society groups near the National Assembly. He shared that he had been a middle school student during the May 1980 Gwangju Massacre(Gwangju Uprising), committed under Chun Doo Hwan’s military junta. With tears in his eyes, he shared his story: “I was 13 years old in Gwangju when I saw citizens being dragged away by soldiers. I’ll never forget the despair in their eyes—it’s stayed with me every single day. I wanted to help, but I was too terrified of the soldiers with guns. To this day, I don’t know if those people survived or not. It’s a burden I’ve carried in my heart all my life. When I heard soldiers had entered the National Assembly, I couldn’t forgive myself for not running there immediately. That’s why I’ve been showing up here every day since.” The crowd responded with saying of “It’s okay, it’s okay,” encouraging him. Together, they shouted, “A president who declares illegal martial law must be impeached and arrested!”

Experts speculate that the reason all 24 helicopters planned for the December 3 coup did not reach the National Assembly was due to bad weather conditions, with snow falling that day. While some soldiers acted on their conscience, refusing orders or taking a passive stance, the tragedy of Gwangju might have been repeated if the helicopters had arrived faster and more troops had been deployed. Did the dead save the living? Some shed their blood to protect democracy, leaving this world without recognition or loved ones. Holding the memory of these precious lives close to their hearts, countless anonymous individuals found the courage to inspire one another and take both big or small actions. Through their sacrifices, Korea's democracy did not retreat but survived.