Social minorities—including LGBTQ+ individuals, women, people with disabilities, youth, migrants, and precarious workers—have always taken to the streets to advocate for equality and diversity. Even amid the human rights and democracy crisis sparked by the military coup, they carried their flags and participated in protests as they always have.
English Translation: Juyeon
Translation review: 지니
Writer of the original text: LGBT News Korea
Review and amendments to the original text: -
Web & SNS Posting: Miguel
News Card Design: 가리
“Impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol Passed—Queer People Made It Happen! LGBTQ+ individuals, feminists, people living with HIV, people with disabilities, youth, migrants, refugees, and workers stood together to make it happen!”
This statement was shared by several LGBTQ+ organizations on their social media accounts following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, which the National Assembly passed on December 14, Korean time.
On February 3, President Yoon Suk-yeol abruptly declared martial law, stripping away political, assembly, association, and press freedoms while attempting to seize control of the National Assembly by force. Fortunately, the National Assembly resolved to lift martial law within hours, bringing an end to the immediate crisis. However, as more details emerge, it is becoming clear that Yoon orchestrated a loyalist coup to achieve specific political goals.
Immediately after the declaration of martial law, countless people rushed to the National Assembly building to prevent the rebel forces from entering. Over the next two weeks, even more people joined, and by the time the second impeachment vote was held on the 14th, an estimated 2 million people had gathered in front of the National Assembly, according to organizers. Among them were undoubtedly LGBTQ+ people.
Social minorities—including LGBTQ+ individuals, women, people with disabilities, youth, migrants, and precarious workers—have always taken to the streets to advocate for equality and diversity. Even amid the human rights and democracy crisis sparked by the military coup, they carried their flags and participated in protests as they always have. By openly embracing their differences in public spaces, they not only strive to create an inclusive environment free from discrimination but also embody the values necessary for the nation we must build in the wake of impeachment.
In this urgently prepared article, we aim to shed light on the voices of social minorities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, during the military coup crisis. While their efforts may not make it into the bold headlines of major international media outlets, we want to highlight those who continue to champion the values of equality and diversity amid the ongoing crisis of human rights and democracy in Korea. This situation is not just a political crisis for one nation; it is an assault on the universal values of human rights and democracy. Although our project has limitations and cannot cover everything we would like, we hope this article will make a small contribution to raising the banner of solidarity for these universal values.
Statement 1: Declaration from LGBTQ+ groups calling for Yoon Suk-yeol’s resignation
(LGBT News Korea has also signed on)
LGBTQ+ Declaration Calling for the Resignation of Yoon Suk-yeol
Yoon Suk-yeol, who has undermined the principles of democracy and human rights, must resign immediately.
LGBTQ+ individuals and groups demand a democracy that upholds gender equality and diversity.
On the night of December 3, Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law. Shortly thereafter, the martial law command issued a proclamation that effectively stripped citizens of their political freedoms and the rights to assembly and association. Armed forces invaded constitutional institutions, including the National Assembly and the National Election Commission, restricting access to them. In that moment, Yoon not only violated the values of democracy and human rights but also regarded the citizens—the foundation of this nation’s power—as targets to be “eliminated.” He has forfeited all qualifications to remain in office as president.
The state of martial law was lifted after approximately six hours due to citizens’ resistance and the resolution of the National Assembly. However, subsequent revelations have increasingly indicated that this was a meticulously planned military coup. Despite this, the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) shielded Yoon Suk-yeol, and on December 7, they used their party platform to block the impeachment motion. Furthermore, in an unconstitutional move, unqualified individuals such as Han Dong-hoon and Han Duck-soo declared their intent to divide and assume power without any electoral legitimacy. On December 12, Yoon Suk-yeol unapologetically justified his treasonous actions in a public address, refusing to accept any responsibility.
Yoon Suk-yeol, who orchestrated this coup, along with Han Dong-hoon and the PPP that protected him, has consistently denied the values of gender equality and the existence of LGBTQ+ individuals. They have dismissed the reality of systemic gender discrimination, argued that anti-discrimination laws infringe on individual freedoms, and asserted that same-sex marriage lacks public consensus. During parliamentary audits, they made the unfounded claim that South Korea does not recognize LGBTQ+ individuals, tolerated hate speech, and appointed an individual as head of the National Human Rights Commission who believes that homosexuality is a tool of the communist revolution and contributes to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Ultimately, they have privatized power and undermined democracy and human rights in this country. The martial law crisis serves as a definitive declaration that these individuals no longer possess even the minimal qualifications to claim to represent the people.
Since the LGBTQ+ rights movement began in 1993, whenever democracy has been threatened, LGBTQ+ individuals have taken to the streets, proudly displaying rainbow flags. The rainbow symbolizes our hope for “a society where diverse differences are respected and discrimination does not exist.” Just as we marched with the rainbow flag in the winter of 2016, envisioning a new society, LGBTQ+ individuals are once again filling public squares with diverse voices. We are committed to holding Yoon Suk-yeol, the leader of this internal rebellion, and the People’s Power Party that supports him, accountable and to removing him from power.
In a world full of discrimination and hate, queer individuals have profoundly reflected on the true meaning of love and discovered the strength to embrace their identities. We have established safe spaces within our communities where mutual understanding can thrive and have addressed the wounds inflicted by discrimination and hostility. Through our connections with one another, we have uncovered the joy, brilliance, and beauty inherent in each of us. We aspire for our friends and colleagues to find happiness as their authentic selves. In our resistance to discrimination and hate, we have gained the power to affirm our identities, care for those around us, and foster solidarity with other marginalized groups, tirelessly advocating for a society where everyone’s fundamental rights are upheld equally. It is precisely for this reason that, even in the face of profound anger towards those who belittle our community and violate human rights, we take to the streets to celebrate through dance and song. What they seek to strip away is our freedom to exist joyfully as we are—but we shall continue to fight unapologetically and unwaveringly. Thus, queer individuals raise our voices once more.
Step Down Immediately, Yoon Suk-yeol
Punish Every Participant in the Coup Without Exception
Dissolve the People’s Power Party for Complicity in the Coup
December 13, 2024
Joint LGBTQ+ Action for Yoon Suk-yeol’s Resignation & Rainbow Action Against Sexual-Minority Discrimination South Korea
Supported by 216 organizations and 4,286 individuals
Statement 2: Speech from Kim Yoo-jin (alias), a participant in the December 11 rally in Seomyeon, Busan
Hello, nice to meet you all.
I work as a karaoke hostess in a bar near Oncheonjang—what some might call a “bar girl.”
I’ve often heard things like, “What’s someone as ignorant as you trying to accomplish by speaking out?” or “Do you really think anyone will listen to someone like you?” But today, I wanted to stand up here and respond to those words. Even though I know many people look at me with prejudice, contempt, or even scorn, I’ve taken the courage to be here as a citizen of a democratic society, fulfilling my rights and responsibilities.
The reason I’m standing here today is simple: I have a heartfelt request to make to all of you. My plea is this: Even after we overcome this crisis, please continue to stay engaged in politics and care about the marginalized citizens around us.
We impeached Park Geun-hye, and we will impeach Yoon Suk-yeol too. But let’s not forget that half of our nation voted for Park Geun-hye and Yoon Suk-yeol. Whether it was because they believed their property values would increase, felt we needed to stand firm against North Korea, or were pressured by their communities, half of our citizens supported the People’s Power Party. Why is that?
Why do young men in their 20s and 30s with nothing to their name, and elderly individuals with no wealth, support the PPP? It’s one thing for those who own land in Gangnam, but what about the rest? It’s due to a lack of proper education and the absence of communities where they feel they belong. We are amidst a global wave of right-wing extremism. If we fail to stop this tide, another Yoon Suk-yeol, another Park Geun-hye, another Chun Doo-hwan, and another Park Chung-hee will rise to threaten our democracy.
So once again, I ask you: Please pay attention to the marginalized people around us, and please take an interest in democracy. It is only your care and attention that can save the vulnerable.
Look at what’s happening right now. At Coupang, workers are dying. In Paju’s Yongjugol neighborhood, sex workers are losing their homes under the guise of redevelopment. At Dongduk Women’s University, campus democracy is under threat. On the Seoul subway, people with disabilities still don’t have their right to accessible transportation guaranteed. Meanwhile, dating violence against women continues, there is no anti-discrimination law for LGBTQ+ individuals, children of migrant workers are facing discrimination, and regional discrimination against Jeolla Province persists. If these issues remain unresolved, our democracy will never be complete.
So I earnestly ask you: Even if we succeed in overcoming this immediate crisis, please don’t think of it as the end, the solution, or the completion of our struggles. Don’t let yourselves rest easy, stretching out your legs in comfort as you go to sleep.
English Translation: Juyeon
Translation review: 지니
Writer of the original text: LGBT News Korea
Review and amendments to the original text: -
Web & SNS Posting: Miguel
News Card Design: 가리
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