Q&A: Who are the pro- and anti-Yoon groups leading demonstrations in South Korea?

President Yoon declared martial law on 3 December 2024 to “immediately eradicate the unscrupulous pro-Pyongyang antistate forces” and protect South Korea’s “free constitutional order” from perceived threats.¹Chea Sa-rah, “Transcript: President Yoon Suk Yeol’s speech to declare emergency martial law,” Korea JoongAng Daily, 4 December 2024 Yoon’s attempt failed when the National Assembly lifted the declaration, but following this unprecedented attempt, various protest movements converged around a single debate: whether to impeach Yoon. 

Since taking office, Yoon’s administration has been plagued by multiple political scandals, including the alleged government interference in a high-profile investigation into a marine corporal’s death, poor disaster response to the Itaewon Halloween crowd crush, the suppression of labor unions and the media, and allegations against the first lady involving stock manipulation and bribery.²Park Sung-ui, “Two years after shouting ‘Judgment on Moon Jae-in,’ President Yoon Suk Yeol stands on the judgment platform,” Sisa Journal, 12 April 2024 (Korean) These controversies have stoked public anger and led to a decline in his approval ratings.³Kim In-han and Ahn Chae-won, “‘53%→23%’ President Yoon’s approval rating cut in half… Key moments when public sentiment turned away,” Money Today, 6 May 2024 (Korean) ACLED has been tracking and documenting anti- and pro-Yoon demonstrations since his inauguration on 10 May 2022.⁴For more information on methodology behind these data, see the ACLED Codebook on our Knowledge Base. Anti-Yoon protests peaked in December 2024 in response to Yoon’s failed martial law attempt (see graph below). Since this, ACLED records over 750 anti-Yoon protests and around  200 pro-Yoon protests. 

Over the past few months, we’ve seen these protests unfold in South Korea, but what are the groups opposing Yoon?

Anti-President Yoon protesters include civil society organizations, labor unions, women’s rights organizations, environmental groups, student organizations, farmers’ groups, LGBTQ+ activists, journalists, and opposition parties. Among the most prominent umbrella groups recorded in ACLED data are Candlelight Action and BISANG Action for Yoon Out & Social Reform (BISANG Action). 

The first, Candlelight Action, is a coalition of progressive civic organizations, labor unions, political parties, and activist groups. Its mission is to push for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s resignation and drive significant social reforms in South Korea.⁵Go Il-suk, “One year of candlelight action…Until ‘Yoon Suk Yeol’s resignation and special probe into Kim Keon-hee,’” Mindle News, 19 April 2023 (Korean) It was first recorded participating in anti-Yoon demonstrations in 2022 and has consistently demanded Yoon’s resignation rather than just criticizing his policies since then. 

The second key group, BISANG Action, was formed on 11 December 2024, after Yoon’s martial law declaration, and consists of over 1,500 civic, social, and labor organizations. It was formed to demand the immediate resignation of Yoon — whom it labels an “insurrectionist.” Their goal is to hold his accomplices accountable, restore national sovereignty, and implement major social reforms in South Korea.⁶Ko Na-rin, “1549 civic groups launch ‘Emergency Action for Yoon Suk Yeol’s Immediate Resignation and Social Reform,’” Hankyoreh, 11 December 2024 (Korean) The group openly denounces martial law as unconstitutional and demands Yoon’s impeachment.⁷Coalition for Democratic Media, “[BISANG Action for Yoon Out & Social Reform Statement] Immediately remove Yoon Suk Yeol, the destroyer of the Constitution,” 26 February 2025 (Korean) Before it was created, its member organizations had separately criticized government failures. Since its formation, BISANG Action has participated in over 110 demonstrations, averaging over one per day.  

Meanwhile, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, one of South Korea’s two major labor federations, has also led various professional associations in the anti-Yoon protests.

We’ve also seen more pro-Yoon protests in reaction to the mass push for impeachment. Who is supporting him? 

ACLED records a 61% increase in pro-Yoon demonstrations in January 2025 compared to December 2024, when President Yoon declared martial law. The movement is led by far-right civic groups, Christian organizations, the ruling People Power Party (PPP), and other conservative factions. Many of these parties and organizations have roots in the Taegukgi rallies, a series of conservative demonstrations that back former impeached President Park Geun-hye. They experienced steady growth during Moon Jae-in’s presidency and continued under Yoon’s administration in support of his government.⁸Park Jong-hwa “Presidential Office’s Kim Dae-nam suspected of orchestrating ‘counter-protest’ by far-right YouTubers,” Newstapa, 24 October 2024 (Korean) Many members of these factions are conservatives aged 60 and older.⁹Ahn Hong-ki and Lee Jong-ho, “October 3 Taegukgi rally: 62.3% were in their 60s and 70s,” OhMyNews, 9 September 2019 (Korean) These groups and parties leverage YouTube channels and Christian networks to organize rallies.¹⁰Lee Oh-seong, “After a month of being trapped in the far-right YouTube algorithm,” SisaIN, 21 Januray 2025 (Korean) PPP lawmakers frequently take part in these rallies. The far-right Liberal Unification Party (LUP), supported by the influential Sarang Jeil Church, plays a significant role as well.¹¹Shin Da-eun, “Jeon Kwang-hoon’s election fraud claim began with ‘there’s no way the Liberty Unification Party won zero seats,’” Hankyoreh, 8 February 2025 (Korean)

Yoon’s impeachment in December 2024 and arrest on insurrection charges in January 2025 further escalated demonstrations, as his supporters see these actions as politically motivated. Right-wing media and conservative YouTube channels amplified claims of election fraud, mobilizing protests. Some demonstrators adopted foreign political symbols, such as MAGA hats and US flags, and displayed signs that said “Stop the Steal,” claiming that the 22nd National Assembly election in May 2024, where the ruling party suffered a significant defeat, was “rigged.”¹²Mike Valerio et al, “‘Stop the Steal’ in South Korea? Why MAGA-like hats and slogans are part of President Yoon’s impeachment drama,” CNN, 7 January 2025 

This trend suggests a broader ideological alignment and an attempt to draw parallels with international political narratives. Following the martial law declaration, we’ve seen a noticeable rise in support for Yoon among young conservative men. Driven by deep distrust and hostility toward the opposition Democratic Party, many within this demographic have actively participated in rallies, expressing both support for Yoon and dissatisfaction with the current political climate.¹³Yoo Seong-woon, Jang Seo-yoon, and Shin Su-min, “Why silent 2030 men on Yoon’s impeachment are now rushing to the streets,” JoongAng Ilbo, 25 January 2025 (Korean)

Tensions peaked on 19 January 2025 when pro-Yoon rioters stormed the Seoul Western District Court, vandalizing property, assaulting police and journalists, and intimidating the judge who issued Yoon’s detention warrant. This unprecedented attack underscores the deepening crisis and potential for further unrest in South Korea.

Most protests seem to be taking place in the capital. Given how widespread this issue appears to be, have demonstrations also occurred in other locations?

Both pro- and anti-Yoon protests have been concentrated in Seoul, the capital. However, ACLED data show that demonstrations have taken place nationwide (see map below).

While Seoul remains the main focus, Busan, Daegu, and Ulsan have experienced large anti-Yoon protests alongside pro-Yoon gatherings despite their traditionally conservative stance. Likewise, Gwangju, known for its progressive history, has seen large-scale anti-Yoon demonstrations and pro-Yoon rallies. Some media reports suggested that pro-Yoon protesters traveled from other cities to the progressive stronghold.¹⁴Kim Sang-yoon, “DPK on the Gwangju anti-Yoon rally: ‘A gathering of outsiders mobilized by buses,’” Chosun Ilbo, 17 February 2025 (Korean)

This widespread distribution of demonstrations highlights that South Korea’s political crisis is not confined to the capital but is a deeply rooted national issue.

Do you often have pro-Yoon and anti-Yoon demonstrators out protesting simultaneously? If so, are there confrontations between them?

Yes, concurrent protests on opposing sides are common in South Korea, given the country’s dynamic political landscape and long history of mass demonstrations. While these protests, which ACLED calls counter-demonstrations, have always been a part of South Korea’s protest culture, President Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law has further deepened political divisions, significantly increasing counter-protests involving both progressive and conservative groups. 

Only a relatively few counter-protests were recorded between Yoon’s inauguration and the martial law declaration. However, that number has increased drastically since the failed attempt. Rival pro- and anti-Yoon demonstrators have coalesced in key locations, including the Yongsan District of Seoul, where the presidential office is located; the Yeongdeungpo District of Seoul, home to the National Assembly; the Jongno District of Seoul, where the former presidential office was situated; and Uiwang, where Yoon has been detained.

This surge in counter-protests marks a new era of polarization, where opposing groups frequently confront one another, often using hostile language. While most counter-protests recorded by ACLED have remained peaceful, media reports indicate increasing verbal hostility and occasional skirmishes between demonstrators.¹⁵Seo Ji-won, “With the semester about to start, protests for and against President Yoon’s impeachment heat up with insults and physical fights near universities,” Dong-a Ilbo, 3 March 2025 (Korean)

How do you see this dynamic continuing during the impeachment trial and once we have the verdict?

Should Yoon be removed from office, his base will perceive this as unfair and politically motivated. This will likely spark further demonstrations in conservative strongholds such as Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, and parts of Seoul. Right-wing media and online communities are likely to amplify claims of electoral fraud, further fueling these reactions. 

If Yoon’s supporters reject the impeachment ruling, more violent confrontations with authorities, as we saw in the Seoul Western District Court riot, could emerge, as could confrontations with anti-Yoon protesters. Counter-protests are expected to intensify until the next presidential election in May 2025, mobilizing both conservative and progressive bases in an increasingly volatile political landscape.