The impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol has repercussions even within the Korean-American community in Southern California. As the Korean Constitutional Court begins its impeachment deliberations, Korean Americans are showing signs of division based on their political leanings.
Weekly protests are being held to argue the unfairness of the impeachment, while those in favor of the impeachment are organizing online petitions.
On January 9, an online petition titled ‘A Letter of Protest to Congresswoman Young Kim’ was posted on Change.org. Insook Lee, the former chair of the Coalition of Koreans in America, initiated the petition, criticizing an op-ed written by Congresswoman Young Kim for The Hill on January 6.
In the op-ed, Congresswoman Kim argued that “those leading the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol are undermining the U.S.-South Korea alliance.” Lee harshly criticized Kim, saying, “It is surprising and disappointing that your understanding, as a member of Congress, appears less informed than that of many second-generation Korean Americans and even non-Koreans.”
Furthermore, Lee added, “If you do not fully understand the situation, it is better to refrain from taking a stance.” She then demanded that Kim apologize, stating, “She has disrespected South Korea’s democracy and its democratic citizens, and her remarks defending President Yoon are anti-democratic and anti-peace.”
As of 11 a.m. on January 27, the petition had gathered 4,404 signatures.
In a phone interview with the Korea Daily, Lee said, “On January 23, about 10 Korean Americans held a protest in front of Congresswoman Young Kim’s district office in Anaheim. After the protest, we printed all the comments left on the petition and delivered them to the staff at her office.”
On the other hand, there is also significant opposition to the impeachment. Every Saturday at 2 p.m., protests against President Yoon’s impeachment are held in front of the PCB Bank branch in Buena Park, Orange County.
The protests are led by individuals such as Suyeon Yoo, a board member of the ABC Unified School District, and Dr. Michael Shim, a former adjunct professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts. The organizers claim that hundreds of people participate each week.
Dr. Shim said, “The number of protest participants continues to grow. Two weeks ago, around 200 people attended, but on January 18, about 450 people showed up.”
He added, “While opposing President Yoon’s impeachment is the main purpose of the protests, we also raise our voices on issues like China’s alleged interference in South Korea’s 22nd general election and 21st presidential election and the Korean Democratic Party’s dominance.”
Dr. Shim noted that the primary age group of protest participants is 60 and older, but 10–15% are in their 20s to 40s.
Mindy Lee, who has been uploading protest videos on YouTube and other social media platforms, said, “The videos are being widely viewed not only in the U.S. but also in Korea, with over 290,000 views and more than 2,000 comments.” She added, “Even a 90-year-old senior came out to protest against President Yoon’s impeachment, showing just how passionate the atmosphere is.”
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
