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South Koreans turn funeral wreaths, K-pop light sticks into political protest tools

Seoul – South Koreans remake wreaths and K-Pop Light Sticks As tools of political protest amid the country’s deepest political crisis in decades, President Yoon Suk-yeol ignited them into law as well in December.

Hundreds of wreaths, mostly addressed to yon He was sent to his residence and associated government buildings Impeachment procedureswith some targeting other officials involved in the martial law controversy. Local media estimate the number of wreaths delivered to government offices a few thousand away.

While many of the wreaths carry moderate messages supporting Yoon or opposing Impeachment, many contain extremist rhetoric directed at the recipients. Black funeral wreaths made of white chrysanthemum and festive wreaths with vibrant roses and wreaths, costing as much as $75, carry messages that reflect Korea’s deepening political divide.

The method of protest has gained strength, with increased media coverage alongside it over the past few years. The research, which compiles and analyzes articles from more than 100 local news outlets, shows flower protests received four times more media coverage in 2024 than in 2023, reflecting the method’s growing popularity. News articles about these protests began appearing in early 2010, although experts cannot pinpoint their exact origin.

While dozens of flower shops say they have not taken protest wreath orders, and a few online blogs promote flower sales that emphasize political neutrality, some stores have become focal points of the movement.

Yoon Myung, of Seoul-based Flower Dongseong, said she has delivered more than 1,000 flowers since December, exclusively to pro-construction supporters. “We have been sending so many flowers that we are running out of torrents of flowers,” she said, adding that more than a third of her customers are in their 20s and 30s, with orders coming from abroad. South Korea Including Japan, the United States and the Netherlands.

“Although the form remains the same, the types of flowers or messages are different,” said Choi Hang-seob, a professor of sociology at Kookmin University. “While wreaths avoid physical violence, the messages on funeral wreaths have evolved into an offline form of hate speech, similar to malicious online comments but now decorated with flowers.”

Professor Kim Hiren-sik, of Yeongun University, said flower protests remained “an isolated form of demonstration limited to certain political groups”, making it difficult to gain wider public support.

Experts are also raising concerns about the impact of flower protests on the environment. “Most wreaths use cheap materials that are environmentally unfriendly and neither help flower growers nor the environment,” Kim said.

However, Kim sees promise in younger generations’ protest methods. “The culture of K-pop fandom, especially around young women in their teens and twenties, is now being applied to political marches,” he said.

Last December, outside the National Assembly, where lawmakers voted to impeach Yoon, thousands of people carrying light sticks of K-Pop Cashags costing around $50 from popular bands like Bigbang, NCT, and EPIK High during rallies in support.

“This phenomenon has sparked a protest coalition, with some offering charging and light rentals through popular resale apps,” said Hong Jaeong, a 29-year-old protester at one of the two protests on December 13.

The crisis began when Yun imposed military rule on December 3 Troops sent To the National Assembly, which led to his impeachment 11 days later. yon He was arrested Jan. 19 in a massive law enforcement operation at his apartment complex.

The Constitutional Court now has 180 days to decide whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him as he faces possible sedition charges.

https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/e4147c92-f723-4026-a355-4d9b58abe77a/wirestory_374acbd5c0e65f1f94991054605f6a58_16x9.jpg?w=1600

2025-01-25 04:18:00

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