K-POP Artists Show Solidarity Amid Calls for Presidential Impeachment in South Korea

Protests in South Korea Call for Impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol Amid Martial Law Announcement

K-pop artists are showing solidarity with fans during protests calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol after his announcement of martial law for the first time in 45 years.

On December 7, K-pop group NMIXX member Kyujin reached out to fans via the communication app Bubble, posting:
“Are you dressed warmly? Hot packs and gloves are a must.” She added comforting words, including, “Take care of yourself. Stay safe.”



B1A4’s Gongchan also expressed his concern on the From app, saying:
“It’s so cold these days. Are you staying warm? Thank you for your effort despite the weekend’s chill. Make sure to go home safely, drink something warm, and rest well. My heart aches for all of you.”

Groupmate Sandeul encouraged fans to stay hopeful, stating:
“To our BANAs (B1A4’s fandom), make sure you get home safely. For now, we have to keep doing what we can and watching over everything.”



STAYC’s Sumin shared an inspiring message with a fan, saying:
“Because you’re here in this world, better days are bound to come. I hope you can get restful sleep despite these tough times.”



SHINee’s Onew also showed concern, reminding fans to stay safe:
“Make sure you stay warm. Wear gloves, carry hot packs, drink warm water, and take care of your body. Got it?”

Former LOONA member Yves added a heartfelt note, saying:
“I’ve been watching the news. Let’s create a better world together. We can do this.”

Meanwhile, the National Assembly convened a session to vote on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol and the special prosecutor bill for First Lady Kim Keon-hee. However, the vote fell short of the required two-thirds majority, as the ruling People Power Party members, except for Representative Ahn Cheol-soo, walked out of the chamber after voting on the special prosecutor bill.

Despite the return of two members later, the absence of 105 lawmakers caused the impeachment motion to fail. The special prosecutor bill was also narrowly defeated by two votes.

A. Vocabulary Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the box:

solidarity | martial law | majority | motion | narrowly

  1. A government declares __________ to control unrest during emergencies.
  2. The proposal was defeated by a __________ margin.
  3. People stood in __________ with the protesters.
  4. The impeachment __________ required a two-thirds vote to pass.
  5. The bill failed to gain a __________ in the assembly.

B. Discussion Questions

  1. What does it mean when martial law is declared?
  2. How do you think K-pop idols showing support affects public sentiment during protests?
  3. Why do you think some lawmakers chose not to participate in the impeachment vote?
  4. What steps can citizens take to push for political accountability in such situations?
  5. How does the response of celebrities and public figures impact political movements?

C. Critical Thinking Activity

Analyze the role of public figures in political movements. Write down at least three pros and three cons of their involvement.

Pros

  1. Amplifies the cause to a larger audience.
  2. Encourages peaceful and organized protests.
  3. Provides emotional support to participants.

Cons

  1. Risk of backlash or politicization of their career.
  2. Messages might overshadow the main objectives of the movement.
  3. May face criticism for lacking political expertise.

Answers

A. Vocabulary Practice

  1. martial law
  2. narrowly
  3. solidarity
  4. motion
  5. majority

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