Brooke Martin
South Korea's Candlelight Revolution, which took place from November 2016 to March 2017, was a series of protests against President Park Geun-hye and her confidante Choi Soon-sil, a daughter of a notorious shaman. The protests were sparked by a political scandal and brought together over 16 million people, almost a third of the country's population. They are notable for their peaceful nature, in contrast to the violent protests that took place in South Korea in the 1990s, and for the large numbers of young children who participated. The Candlelight Revolution is seen as a symbol of the movement against perceived injustice and has become a staple of protest culture in South Korea, with candlelight vigils being held since 2002.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 26 October 2016 – March 2017 |
| Number of protesters | 16 million (almost a third of the country's population) |
| Locations | Seoul, Busan, Chuncheon, Daegu, Gwangju |
| Reasons | Bribery and corruption charges, social inequality, restrictions on press and artistic freedoms |
| Outcome | Impeachment of President Park Geun-hye |
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What You'll Learn
The 2016-2017 South Korean protests
Candlelight protests, which began in South Korea in 1992, are symbolic gatherings of political dissent to peacefully combat injustice. The 2016-2017 South Korean protests, also known as the Candlelight Revolution, were a series of protests against President Park Geun-hye that occurred throughout South Korea from November 2016 to March 2017.
The protests were sparked by a political scandal involving Park Geun-hye and her confidante Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of a notorious shaman. Choi Soon-sil had demanded millions of dollars from Samsung to buy show horses for her daughter, and the scandal was satirised on an early November 2016 episode of South Korea's Saturday Night Live. The show's producers ran a condemnation of Park and her advisers in the form of a sketch featuring comedian Kim Jun-hyun as Choi Soon-sil's daughter.
The Candlelight Revolution sprang from a collective determination to act against a system in which only the wealthy and connected appear to advance. South Korea has a significantly higher level of household debt than other rich nations, largely spent on mortgages and private cram schools. One popular placard at the protests read, "Toward a country of equal opportunity!".
The weekly candlelight protests were organised by Emergency Action for Park's Resignation, a coalition of more than 1500 civic organisations. The anti-Park coalition set rules for decision-making based on the lowest common denominator among participant organisations, providing a political space for citizens of all walks of life to come and express their views freely. Week after week, the coalition successfully mobilised millions of South Koreans in the streets of dozens of cities, channeling their anger into a powerful political message.
On March 10, 2017, Park Geun-hye was impeached on bribery and corruption charges, and the weekly protests ended the next day. The success of the anti-Park candlelight protests marked the growth and maturity of civil society in South Korea, bringing to light the weakness of its party system as a mechanism for political mediation.
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The Candlelight Revolution
Candlelight protests in South Korea are symbolic collective gatherings to peacefully combat political injustice. The first candlelight protest in South Korea took place on September 26, 1992, when online users gathered to oppose the charging of an online service. However, the candlelight protests that began in 2002 in response to the Yangju highway incident, which killed two teenage girls, marked a significant shift in the country's protest culture. These protests, which took the form of candlelight vigils, offered a peaceful platform for demonstrators to express their grievances.
Overall, the Candlelight Revolution was a powerful demonstration of the South Korean people's determination to act against a system that favoured the wealthy and connected. It showcased the country's unique protest culture and the strength of civil society in driving political change.
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The 2002 Yangju highway incident
In the aftermath of the incident, both the driver of the vehicle, Sergeant Mark Walker, and the vehicle's commander, Sergeant Fernando Nino, were charged with "negligent homicide" under the U.S. military's Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) for "negligently failing to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle." The case was tried by the U.S. military court, and on November 20 and 22, 2002, two separate panels found Nino and Walker not guilty of negligent homicide. This verdict sparked outrage and protests in South Korea, with demonstrators questioning the legitimacy and objectivity of the U.S. military court. The South Korean Justice Ministry expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict but respected the legal process.
The acquittal of the U.S. soldiers involved in the Yangju highway incident sparked a series of candlelight vigils and protests in South Korea, marking a significant shift in the country's protest culture. Candlelight vigils became a symbol of peaceful collective gatherings to express political dissent and seek justice. The first candlelight vigil in response to the Yangju incident was held by students at Uijeongbu Girls' High School, near the site of the accident, and it gave rise to the "Candle Girl" mascot. The candlelight protests gained momentum, with thousands gathering in Gwanghwamun Square to commemorate the victims and demand accountability. The mishandling of the case by the U.S. and Korean governments further fuelled the protests, which continued from November 2002 until late January 2003.
The Yangju highway incident and the ensuing protests had a significant impact on U.S.-South Korea relations and sparked discussions about improvements to road safety in areas where U.S. military exercises take place. In December 2002, a $94 million plan was initiated to improve more than 100 miles (160 km) of roads in the Gyeonggi Province, with a focus on widening, straightening, and smoothing the roads, as well as adding footpaths. The memory of Shim Mi-seon and Shin Hyo-sun continues to be commemorated annually in South Korea, and their deaths sparked a broader conversation about social inequality and the role of civil society organisations in promoting agendas and resisting policies.
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The 2008 US beef protests
Candlelight protests in South Korea are a form of political dissent to peacefully combat perceived injustice. This method of protesting began in 1992 when online users gathered to oppose the charging of an online service.
The protests began in May 2008 in Busan, Chuncheon, Daegu, and Gwangju. By the third week of June, President Lee's cabinet resigned due to pressure from the protestors. On June 25, another agreement was discussed, wherein President Lee lifted the ban on US beef from cattle less than 30 months old. This decision sparked further protests, with hundreds of members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) taking to the streets.
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The 2016 Choi Soon-sil scandal
Choi Soon-sil was born in 1956 as the daughter of Choi Tae-min, a former Buddhist monk and leader of the Church of Eternal Life, a religious cult that combined elements of Buddhism, Christianity, and shamanism. Choi Soon-sil's relationship with President Park Geun-hye dated back to at least 1974 when Choi's father offered spiritual counsel to Park and her family following the assassination of her mother. Over the years, Choi and President Park developed a close friendship, with Choi even looking after Park during her hospitalisation after a razor attack in 2006.
The scandal emerged in October 2016 when it was revealed that Choi had unusual access to President Park and influence over government affairs. There were allegations that Choi had access to confidential presidential reports and that she reviewed Park's schedule and secret military contacts. It was also discovered that Choi had demanded millions of dollars from Samsung to buy show horses for her daughter and that she had intervened in state affairs to benefit herself and her associates. On October 25, 2016, President Park publicly acknowledged her close ties with Choi and apologised to the public, but this did little to quell the growing outrage.
As the scandal unfolded, mass protests erupted across South Korea, with millions of people taking to the streets to demand justice and express their dissatisfaction with the government. The Candlelight Revolution, as it came to be known, was a peaceful form of protest that utilised candles as a symbol of collective dissent. The protests were notable for their inclusivity, accommodating people from all walks of life, and for their use of humour and creativity in the form of street posters, cartoons, and performance pieces.
The pressure from the protests and the widespread criticism of President Park's leadership led to lawmakers voting to impeach her in the National Assembly. On December 9, 2016, Park was officially impeached, and the prime minister at the time, Hwang Kyo-ahn, became the acting president. The Constitutional Court of Korea upheld the impeachment decision on March 10, 2017, ruling that President Park had abused her power. On March 31, 2017, Park was arrested on corruption charges, and a new election was held, resulting in the victory of Democratic Party candidate Moon Jae-in.
The Choi Soon-sil scandal had far-reaching consequences for South Korea, not only leading to the impeachment and removal of a sitting president but also exposing the weaknesses of the country's party system and the influence of civil society organisations. The Candlelight Revolution demonstrated the power of collective action in bringing about political change and remains a significant event in South Korea's democratic history.
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Frequently asked questions
Candlelight protests are a form of political dissent in South Korea, where people gather to peacefully combat injustice.
The first candlelight protest in South Korea took place on September 26, 1992, when online users gathered to oppose the charging of the online service of Kotel. However, the use of candlelight as a form of protest specifically traces back to 2002, when two teenage girls were killed by US armoured vehicles on military training manoeuvres.
The 2016-2017 candlelight protests, also known as the Candlelight Revolution, were a series of protests against President Park Geun-hye and her confidante Choi Soon-sil. The protests denounced the administration's political scandal and called for the resignation of President Park Geun-hye.
Yes, the candlelight protests were successful in pushing lawmakers to impeach President Park Geun-hye, marking one of the most significant events in South Korea's political history.
