12(2). Like a Phoenix: The Rebirth of Korean Democracy in 2025
How a Nation Rose from Crisis—Fueled by Protest, Blankets, and Unshakable Will
This audio file was created using NotebookLM and offers an overview of the recent events in South Korea—including the impeachment and removal of President Yoon Suk-yeol, and the election of Lee Jae-myung.
It also explains the structure and function of the Korean government, covering the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and how they work together through a system of checks and balances.
It’s a helpful resource for anyone trying to better understand both the Korean political system and the recent developments.
📘 This is the second installment in the series The People’s Mandate: Korea’s Democratic Edge, a special series within Growing Up in Korea.
I Was Going to Write About History—Then History Happened
On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, South Korea elected a new president, and the country witnessed a peaceful transfer of power.
The world watched, in real time, as a democracy held a corrupt leader accountable—and proved that a new government can rise through the will of the people.
Originally, I had planned to write about how Japanese colonialism shaped the Korean national character. The election was going to be just a brief mention—a passing reference before diving into that deeper story.
But then I watched the new president take office. And as a former Korean citizen—and now a mother raising a Korean child—I simply couldn’t look away.
I had to write about this moment. Because what just happened is too astonishing, too emotional, and frankly, too proud a chapter in Korean history to skip over.
I had to write about this moment—because what just happened is too astonishing, too emotional, and, frankly, too proud a chapter in Korean history to skip over.
And yes, I got carried away. My heart was pounding, my fingers couldn’t type fast enough—and the story ended up much longer than I’d planned.
So, I promise: next week, we’ll begin exploring how the trauma of colonialism shaped the Korean psyche. But today, let’s talk about how a nation stood up for itself—even in the dead of winter.
A Nation in Crisis, a People Victorious
On June 3, 2025, South Koreans went to the polls and voted in a new president, Lee Jae-myung, marking a dramatic change in government. This wasn’t just a routine election—it was the culmination of a breathtaking series of events that had the world watching in disbelief.
How did all this unfold?
For those unfamiliar with South Korea's political system or its recent history, here’s a simple breakdown to get started.
How Korean Democracy Works: A Crash Course
South Korea is a presidential democracy with a powerful National Assembly (parliament) and an independent Constitutional Court.
If a president is suspected of breaking the law or violating the constitution, the National Assembly can pass an impeachment motion. The Constitutional Court then reviews the case. If at least six of the nine justices agree, the president is removed from office.
This isn’t Korea’s first time holding a leader accountable. In 2017, President Park Geun-hye was impeached after massive candlelight protests. But the 2025 crisis was unprecedented in its speed, scale, and the sheer determination of the public.
What sets Korea apart isn’t just its legal system, but the willingness of ordinary people to mobilize—sometimes for months on end—to defend their democracy.
The Shocking Catalyst: Martial Law and Mass Resistance
Let’s rewind to the moment that set everything in motion:
December 3, 2024: Then-President Yoon Suk-yeol declared unconstitutional martial law, sending shockwaves across the country. Imagine—in a vibrant democracy—the president suddenly declaring martial law. It was an unfathomable moment.
Instant Reversal: The National Assembly acted immediately. Within just six hours, the martial law was nullified and officially withdrawn—a breathtaking sprint against authoritarianism.
Public Outcry and Impeachment: This triggered a furious wave of public anger and resistance. The National Assembly swiftly introduced an impeachment motion against President Yoon, which was overwhelmingly passed on its second attempt.
April 4, 2025: The Constitutional Court, with all eight justices voting unanimously, decided to remove President Yoon from office. This was a powerful testament to the Court’s independence and South Korea’s democratic maturity.
And finally, on June 3, 2025, the people elected a new president in a snap election—closing a tumultuous chapter and opening a new one.
Beyond the Headlines: The Power of the People
Let’s be clear:
This didn’t happen because a few people showed up for a weekend rally. It took months of sustained action. People showed up day after day, braving freezing temperatures and camping out in front of the presidential residence, demanding accountability.
As I wrote before, it was a truly remarkable sight: hundreds of thousands—by some estimates, well over a million—ordinary citizens flooding the streets, waving glowing cheering sticks. Normally reserved for K-pop concerts, these lights were repurposed as beacons of protest and hope. The city’s avenues shimmered with light, as if democracy itself were being cheered on by the people.
But the protests didn’t end with waving light sticks in the streets.
The movement went far deeper.
One image captured the world’s imagination:
In the depths of winter, hundreds huddled under silver thermal blankets, night after night, calling for the disgraced president’s arrest. They looked like little Hershey’s Kisses—so the movement was dubbed the “Kisses Brigade.” This became the symbol of a citizenry refusing to back down.
When farmers’ tractor protests were blocked from entering Seoul, city demonstrators marched out to join them in the outskirts, showing solidarity across social lines.
Even as the Constitutional Court was deliberating and preparing to deliver its ruling on the president’s impeachment, crowds gathered outside, urging the judges to act swiftly. Many believe this public pressure played a role in the Court’s unanimous decision.
This wasn’t just about politics.
It was about the soul of Korean democracy—a society that knows democracy isn’t a spectator sport, but a constant, active engagement.
Why? A Deeper Dive into Korean Character
So, how did South Korea become a nation whose people would brave blizzards and cold nights to defend their country?
What deep well of resolve allows them to do this?
Understanding a nation is even more complicated than understanding a single person. Just as a person’s values are shaped by their upbringing, relationships, and life experiences, a nation’s character is forged by its history and collective memory.
Korea’s recent political drama isn’t just a fluke.
It’s the latest expression of a national character shaped by generations of hardship, resistance, and the hard lesson that a country can be lost—and must be fought for.
A People Who Would Not Let Go
Korea’s story isn’t just about politics.
It’s about a people who refuse to let go of their country—no matter the weather, no matter the odds.
How did a nation learn to stand up, again and again, like a phoenix from the ashes?
The answer, as always, is written in history—and in the hearts of those who refuse to give up.
Coming Up Next: The Seeds of Resistance
Koreans’ unwavering dedication to democracy is deeply connected to a unique historical trauma: the loss of sovereignty and the desperate struggle to reclaim it.
In my next post, I’ll unravel this profound link—how the Japanese colonial period left indelible marks on the Korean psyche, and why “never again” became more than a slogan.
Get ready to discover how history, heartbreak, and an unyielding will are all intricately woven into the Korean people's powerful sense of “we.”
The seeds of resistance planted a century ago still bloom today, from the March 1st Independence Movement of 1919 to the Kisses Brigade of 2025.
powerful and inspiring 🩵 thank you for sharing this.