As recent guests on the “A Matter of Faith” podcast described the events that led to last spring’s impeachment of former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, the comparison to politics in the United States was readily apparent.
Podcast hosts the Rev. Lee Catoe and Simon Doong welcomed the Rev. Kurt Esslinger, Global Ecumenical Liaison in the Interim Unified Agency, and Eunjae Lee, team director for the Korean-based Your Voice Christian Center. Listen to the 53-minute conversation, recorded a month before South Korea’s Constitutional Court affirmed Yoon’s impeachment in a unanimous decision, by going here.
Yoon’s political problems reached a tipping point in December when he declared martial law. That action sparked daily protests outside the National Assembly building.
On the night of Dec. 3, 2024, Lee was present outside the National Assembly when Yoon declared martial law. “People were gathering outside to stop the military from entering,” she told Doong and Catoe. “People took photos and posted them on social media.”
“I couldn’t believe how many people were already there, and more and more people kept arriving,” she said. “We didn’t need to call each other. We just showed up.”
Lee began livestreaming events as they unfolded. Just a few hours into the crisis, lawmakers passed a resolution to end martial law. Lee said Yoon had implemented martial law “as a warning to the opposition.”
Catoe said he saw in those protests “echoes of what’s happening across the United States.”
Lee described an ecumenical prayer gathering held the day after Yoon declared martial law. “People from many denominations and faith traditions came, almost 1,000 of us,” she said. “Together we called for the impeachment of President Yoon and then joined the citizens who were protesting on the streets. People were clearly saying martial law is a threat to democracy and President Yoon should be impeached.”
On their second attempt, lawmakers did impeach the president, on Dec. 14. In April, the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment, clearing the way for new elections.
Lee described the peaceful gatherings held ahead of the impeachment vote. Young people with light sticks in their hands braved cold temperatures to dance to K-pop music “in joy and courage,” she said. People who couldn’t attend in person sent coffee and food to nourish those who could. Rainbow flags flew next to labor union flags. People made flags to support other causes, too, including cats, dogs, introverts and more.
“In the Square, people introduced themselves not by their job title, but by sharing their pain and calling for solidarity. At that moment, who you are didn’t matter. What mattered is that you were there,” Lee said. “The memory of that solidarity still gives us hope.”
Doong asked: What do U.S. residents need to know about the Korean situation going forward?
“Definitely some of those echoes are interesting,” Esslinger said. Allegations of a stolen election formed part of the reasoning to impose martial law, and Yoon’s supporters were seen wearing red “Make Korea Great Again” caps and holding “Stop the Steal” signs.
Esslinger traced much of the division back to policies the United States put in place following World War II and reinforced by the Korean War — conflict “not only between North Korea and South Korea, but between groups in South Korea,” he said.
Doong asked: What’s the mood among South Korea’s young people?
“They believe it’s not just about impeaching President Yoon — it’s about rebuilding society,” Lee said. “We are dreaming of a world without discrimination, a world where workers are respected, where disabled people have rights and dignity. We are not just reacting — we are imagining something new together.”
“I think that’s something the church can get better at, too,” Catoe said, asking Lee, “What role do you see the church playing?”
Some church members expect their leaders not to venture into the political realm, but “the church should stand for welcome and love,” Lee said. Whether churchgoers supported impeachment of not, “they should be able to come to church and experience God’s love. I hope the church becomes a place for healing and reconciliation, not deep division and hate.”
New editions of “A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast” drop every Thursday. Find them here.
Mike Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service (Click here to read original PNS Story)
Let us join in prayer for:
Doug Tilton, Global Ecumenical Liaison, Global Ecumenical Partnerships, Interim Unified Agency
Ken Tolley, Manager of General Assembly Business, Interim Unified Agency
Let us pray:
Through the power of your Holy Spirit, loving God, may the ministries we offer in the name of our Christ lead to the transformation of our world, our churches and ourselves. Amen.
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