South Koreans turn to flower wreaths and K-pop light sticks as political symbols
Hundreds of wreaths have been sent to the residence of President Yoon Suk Yeol who attempted to impose martial law in December.
South Koreans are repurposing flower wreaths and K-pop light sticks as political protest tools amid the nation’s deepest political crisis in decades, sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived martial law declaration in December.
Hundreds of wreaths, predominantly directed at Yoon himself, have been sent to his residence and government buildings connected to the impeachment proceedings, with some targeting other officials involved in the martial law controversy.
Local media estimate the number of wreaths delivered to government offices as several thousand.
While many wreaths carry moderate messages supporting Mr Yoon or opposing impeachment, several contain extreme rhetoric directed at recipients.
The black-ribboned funeral wreaths with white chrysanthemums and celebratory wreaths with vibrant roses and orchids, costing as much as £60, carry messages reflecting Korea’s deepening political divide.
The protest method has gained traction, with media coverage increasing in tandem over the last few years.
A search on Big Kinds, which collects and analyses articles from more than 100 local news outlets, shows wreath protests received four times more media coverage in 2024 compared to 2023, reflecting the method’s growing popularity.
News articles about these protests started to appear in the early 2010s, though experts cannot specify their exact origin.
In December, outside the National Assembly where lawmakers voted to impeach Mr Yoon, thousands of people wielded K-pop light sticks costing around £30 from popular bands like Bigbang, NCT, and Epik High during pro-impeachment rallies.
The crisis began when Mr Yoon imposed military rule on December 3 and dispatched troops to the national assembly, leading to his impeachment 11 days later.
Mr Yoon was apprehended on January 19 in a massive law enforcement operation at his residential compound.
The constitutional court has 180 days to decide whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him as he faces potential rebellion charges.
