Brooke Martin
The Candlelight Revolution, also known as the Candlelight Demonstrations or Candlelight Vigil, was a series of protests in South Korea that took place between October 2016 and March 2017. The protests were sparked by a corruption scandal involving then-President Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil, a confidante and daughter of a shaman who allegedly helped Park communicate with her deceased parents. The revolution culminated in Park's impeachment and the end of her presidency. While there are no reports of deaths during the Candlelight Revolution, there were some injuries reported among both protesters and police officers. The revolution is notable for its peaceful nature, with protesters expressing their dissent through humorous props, banners, and candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2016-2017 |
| Location | South Korea |
| Participants | 15.87 million (nearly a third of the country's population) |
| Purpose | To demand the resignation of President Park Guen-hye |
| Outcome | Park's impeachment on March 10, 2017 |
| Related Events | - Protests against the U.S. beef import decision in 2008 |
- Vigils for two girls killed by a U.S. military tank in 2002 | | Deaths | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
The 2016-2017 Candlelight Revolution
The 2016–2017 Candlelight Revolution, also known as the Candlelight Demonstrations or Candlelight Vigil, was a series of protests in South Korea against President Park Geun-hye's government. The protests began in October 2016 and lasted until March 2017, with the main goal being the removal of President Park from office due to a corruption scandal.
The revolution was sparked by a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidante, Choi Soon-sil. Choi, the daughter of a notorious shaman, was accused of using her influence to gain access to classified information and make decisions on government policies. As a result of the scandal, Park was impeached and later found guilty of corruption, coercion, abuse of power, and leaking classified information.
The Candlelight Revolution involved a series of peaceful protests and rallies that took place over twenty successive Saturday nights, with the largest protest amassing over 2 million protestors. The protests were characterized by the use of candles, humorous props, and banners. The protestors also utilized text messages and the internet to organize and spread their message. The revolution brought together a broad spectrum of South Korean society, including people from all ages and backgrounds.
While there are no reports of deaths during the 2016–2017 Candlelight Revolution, there were some injuries reported. On November 12, four police officers were injured during the demonstrations, and twenty-six protesters were hospitalized with injuries. A further 29 protesters were treated at the scene.
The Candlelight Revolution was a significant event in South Korean history, as it represented a peaceful and nonviolent way to steer the country's course and bring about change. It also led to increased transparency and accountability in elections during the 1990s. The revolution also had a broader impact on South Korean society, empowering citizens to stand up against corruption and injustice.
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$45.7
The death of Lee Han-yeol
On June 9, 1987, Lee Han-yeol, a 21-year-old sophomore at Yonsei University, participated in demonstrations against the Chun Doo-hwan dictatorship in South Korea. During the protest, a tear gas canister fired by riot police penetrated his skull. Han-yeol's fellow students rushed him to Yonsei's Severance Hospital, where he remained in critical condition until he died of his wounds on July 5.
Han-yeol's death became a pivotal moment in South Korea's political history. On July 9, over one million people joined his funeral procession, which started at Yonsei University and ended at Seoul's City Hall. The procession was not only a symbol of mourning but also a powerful statement against the dictatorship. Han-yeol's death and the subsequent public outcry became a crucial part of the June Democracy Movement that ultimately brought down the Chun regime and helped establish democracy in South Korea.
Han-yeol's mother, Bae Eun-sim, became a prominent figure in the fight for democracy following her son's death. She devoted her life to pursuing justice and ensuring that her son's sacrifice would not be in vain. She became a key member of Yugahyeop, a civic group comprising families of deceased protesters. Bae actively participated in memorial events and worked tirelessly to seek truth and justice for those who lost their lives in the pursuit of democracy. In recognition of her unwavering dedication to democracy and human rights, President Moon Jae-in honoured her with the Order of Civil Merit, also known as the Moranjang Medal, in June 2020.
The legacy of Lee Han-yeol extends beyond his tragic death. His story serves as a reminder of the power of individual sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom and justice. Han-yeol's death not only catalysed a democratic movement but also inspired future generations of South Koreans to continue the fight for their rights and hold those in power accountable. His memory is honoured through memorials, museums, and the ongoing commitment to democracy in South Korea.
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The 2002 candlelight protests
In 2002, two teenage girls were killed by a U.S. armoured vehicle during a military training exercise. The soldiers involved were acquitted in a U.S. military court, and this triggered a wave of candlelight protests in South Korea. The first call for candlelight vigils was made online by a netizen with the ID "Angma" or "Anama". The initial post read:
> I heard that the soul of dead people become fireflies. Let’s fill Gwanghwamun with our souls. Let’s become fireflies together with Hyosun and Misun [the deceased school girls] in Gwanghwamun.
On November 30, about 30,000 Koreans gathered in Gwanghwamun for the first mass candlelight vigil to commemorate the girls and protest their unjust deaths. The vigils gained momentum and were held every weekend from November 2002 until late January 2003. The protests also took on an anti-American tone, with discontent directed towards the U.S. and Korean governments for their mishandling of the case.
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The 2008 candlelight protests
On May 2, 2008, hundreds of secondary and college students organized a candlelight vigil in Seoul to protest the agreement. The protests quickly spread across the country, with a couple of million people participating over 100 days. The candlelight protests became a daily occurrence, with 100,000 people gathering to rally against the agreement and calling for the impeachment of President Lee Myung-bak.
The Korean government attempted to address the concerns by announcing that they would exclude certain parts of U.S. beef that may be more susceptible to mad cow disease. However, this did not quell the protesters' grievances. The protests continued and spread to other cities, including Busan, Chuncheon, Daegu, and Gwangju. By the end of May, there had been 211 arrests of protesters for displaying political slogans and signs that the Korean government had warned against.
The Candlelight Revolution of 2008 represented a significant event in South Korea's political history, demonstrating the power of civil society and the maturity of non-violent protest movements in the country. It also highlighted the weakness of the party system and the extreme fluidity of political parties in South Korea. The protests ultimately led to the impeachment of President Lee Myung-bak and the exclusion of U.S. beef imports from cattle less than 30 months old from the market.
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The 2016-2018 President Park Geun-hye protests
The 2016–2018 President Park Geun-hye protests, also known as the Candlelight Revolution, were a series of candlelight rallies held in South Korea to demand the resignation and subsequent impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. The protests began in October 2016 and continued until March 2017, with the last rally taking place in February 2018.
The protests were sparked by a corruption scandal involving President Park and her confidante, Choi Soon-sil. Choi was accused of using her influence over the President to gain favour and benefit illegally. As the scandal unfolded, President Park's approval ratings dropped to a record low, and protesters demanded her resignation.
The Candlelight Revolution involved a significant portion of South Korea's population, with estimates ranging from 15.87 to over 16 million participants. The protests were largely peaceful, with protesters carrying candles and humorous props and banners. However, there were some instances of violence, with a few protesters and police officers sustaining injuries.
The protests led to President Park's impeachment on bribery and corruption charges, which was confirmed by the Constitutional Court on March 11, 2017. On February 13, 2018, Choi was sentenced to 20 years in prison for corruption, and on April 6, 2018, President Park was found guilty of corruption, coercion, abuse of power, and leaking classified information, resulting in a total sentence of 24 years in prison.
The Candlelight Revolution was a significant event in South Korean history, demonstrating the power of nonviolent, public forums to bring about political change. It is also notable for its use of candlelight rallies as a form of protest, which have become a staple of South Korean protest culture.
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Frequently asked questions
There are no reported deaths during the Candle Revolution in South Korea, which was a peaceful protest.
Yes, there were some injuries reported during the protests. On November 12, four police officers were injured, and 26 protesters were hospitalised with injuries.
Yes, candlelight protests have been a staple of South Korean protest culture since the first one in 1992. Notable mentions include the 2002 protests after a US military tank killed two school girls, and the 2008 protests against the government's decision to import US beef.
The Candlelight Revolution in South Korea was sparked by a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidante Choi Soon-sil. The protests demanded Park's resignation and justice, with over 16 million people participating across 20 successive Saturday night rallies.
The Candlelight Revolution successfully led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye on bribery and corruption charges. She was found guilty and sentenced to a total of 24 years in prison. The revolution also resulted in increased political transparency and accountability in South Korea.
