A Statement on the Emergency Situation in South Korea by the Overseas Candlelight Action

Though we live outside of our homeland, we live always with Korea near to our hearts. We are proud of the history of overseas Koreans supporting the fight for Korean independence during the Japanese colonial rule, against military dictatorships, and for democratization and peaceful reunification of Korea.

 

The current Yoon Suk-yeol government is downgrading South Korea’s national stature. It is disheartening to witness South Korea becoming an international laughing stock as press suppression, regression of democracy, specter of war, diplomatic blunders have increased during his administration thus far and have tainted South Korea’s image as an advanced nation on a global stage.

When former prosecutor general Yoon won the presidency with 0.73% difference, we were worried about his inexperience in politics and governance but wished that the Yoon government would do well.

But, less than one year into his presidency, the news from our homeland is dire. We hear about constant diplomatic blunders whenever the first couple goes on overseas visits. And, last October, 159 young people lost their lives in the heart of Seoul in an absurd disaster at Itaewon. Though the South Korean constitution states that “the government has responsibility to protect citizen’s lives and properties,” the government and the ruling party did not truly console families of victims, but turned to excuses and evasions to avoid responsibilities.

The first lady Kim Keon-hee, though she promised during the campaign to stay low key if Yoon got elected, has now come in front and center of national governance. It is said that she was involved with the hasty decision to relocate the presidential office from the Blue House to Yongsan, costing an astronomical cost to taxpayers (with news of pseudo religious leader being involved in this matter).

We cannot just stay idle while these worrisome developments are happening in our homeland. Therefore, we will be raising candlelight — again — and finish the unfinished Candlelight Revolution of 2017 in order to recover democracy and citizen sovereignty, and foster peace in the Korean Peninsula.

We declare and demand the following to the Yoon Government, the National Assembly, and the Judiciary of South Korea:

1. The Yoon Government should immediately apologize to the victims and families of the Itaewon Disaster, along with thorough investigations of truth and prosecution of responsible parties.

2. Fully investigate allegations on Kim Keon-hee of stock manipulations, plagiarisms, and fabrication of resumes by enacting the “Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecution Law.”

3. The immediate resignation of Yoon Suk-yeol.

Febrary 20, 2023
Overseas Candlelight Action