2024. 12. 14. 14:06ㆍ카테고리 없음
Unified Across Generations, Korean Immigrants Rally in New York Ahead of Second Parliamentary Vote on President Yoon Suk-yeol’s Impeachment
New York, Dec. 13, 2024 (Eastern Time) – Voices calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol and support for the People’s Power Party’s impeachment motion resonated through Manhattan’s Koreatown on the afternoon of the 13th, a day before the National Assembly’s second vote on the impeachment bill. This second rally, held following Yoon’s declaration of martial law, was primarily composed of participants who had pledged their support via social media. Attendees spanned multiple generations, with a significant proportion of women in their 20s and 30s.
A standout feature of this impeachment demonstration was the appearance of light sticks typically used by fan groups, reminiscent of those seen at rallies in Yeouido. Protesters also performed reimagined songs such as “The Times We Met Again” and a parody of Rosé’s “Apartment,” alongside traditional songs like “March for the Beloved,” signaling a cross-generational unity in calling for Yoon’s removal.
Choi Hee-won, a New York University student, expressed her distress, stating, “Watching my country’s democracy and national dignity crumble in real time is heartbreaking,” and lamented, “It’s sad to see the Constitution, which we worked hard to uphold with common sense and justice, suffer.” She continued, “We must no longer bring shame to Korea and must see Yoon step down.”
Jung Eun-joo, who organized the rally through social media and open chat rooms, explained that the decision to hold the protest in New York stemmed from a desire among local immigrants who wished to participate. “A president who has pointed a gun at the people cannot remain in office and must resign,” Jung stated. “Our overseas Korean community stands united in this demand.”
Additionally, many Korean immigrants provided coffee and donuts to attendees who were unable to attend the rally in person through open chat room initiatives.
