Memes, jokes, and cats: South Koreans use parody for political protest

As South Koreans took to the streets this month to demand the ouster of their president, some found an unexpected outlet to express their anger: jokes and sarcasm.

They raised banners and flags bearing strange messages about cats, sea otters and food. They waved signs jokingly saying that President Yeon Suk-yul’s declaration of martial law had forced them from their comfortable beds. Pictures of the flags spread widely on social networking sites.

The idea was to use humor to build solidarity against Mr. Yoon, who has vowed to fight his impeachment over his ill-fated martial law decree on Dec. 3. Some waved flags of non-existent groups such as the so-called Dumpling Society, a parody. From real groups such as trade unions, churches or student clubs.

Video by Liu Yong-jin/The New York Times

Photos by Wei Kai/The New York Times

“I just wanted to show that we were here as part of the people even if we weren’t actually part of a civic group,” said Kim Sae-rim, 28, who waved the dumpling group’s flag at a recent protest. I went with friends. Some groups pointed out other local favorites like pizza and red bean pastries.

Kwon Oh Hyuk, a veteran protester, said he saw such flags appear for the first time during the protests Demonstrations in 2016 and 2017 This eventually led to the dismissal of President Park Geun-hye. Mr. Kwon said sarcasm was part of the Korean protest spirit.

“People laugh at dangerous situations, even when those in power come out with guns and knives,” he said. “They are not intimidated.”

In the past month, protesters have come up with a wide range of unconventional gatherings. Some of them were self-appointed homebodies. Still others meet as people suffering from motion sickness.

Video by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

Photos by Wei Kai/The New York Times

Video by Wei Kai/The New York Times

Photography by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

Lee Ki-hun, a professor of modern Korean history at Yonsei University in Seoul, said he believed the flags at this month’s protests were an expression of the diversity of people galvanized by the president’s attempt to impose military rule.

He added: “They are trying to say: Even for those of us who have nothing to do with political groups, this situation is unacceptable.” “I’m not a member of a party or anything like that, but this is outrageous.”

Some carried signs mocking Mr. Yoon, saying he separated them from their pets at home and disrupted their routine of watching Korean dramas. One group called itself the Union of People Behind Schedule, a reference to the idea that the need to protest martial law forced them to reschedule their appointments.

Photography by Wei Kai/The New York Times

Photography by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

And of course, there were animals, real and fake.

Photos by Wei Kai/The New York Times

South Koreans have shown that protests for serious reasons — such as the ouster of a president — can still have an attractive, upbeat, carnival-like atmosphere.

“I don’t know if the protesters realize this, but although they are angry, they have not acted formally, heavy-handed or morally,” Mr Lee said. “The flags had an effect in reducing and reducing tension.”

On the day lawmakers voted to impeach Mr. Yoon, protesters who were fans of K-pop brought glow sticks to rallies and danced to pop songs blaring from speakers. Lee Jong-min, a 31-year-old Big Bang fan, said: “Although this is a serious day, it is better to enjoy it and keep our spirits up.”

Video by Chang W. Lee/The New York Times