In brief
Amid ongoing political turmoil in South Korea, supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol rally outside his home, claiming conspiracy theories against him as a defense against prosecution.
Every day, 72-year-old Kim Kwon-seop joins thousands of other supporters gathered outside the home of South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, determined to protect him from prosecutors seeking to detain him on insurrection charges after his controversial declaration of martial law. They believe that the opposition is the real insurrectionist, having rigged the elections to maintain their parliamentary majority. For them, standing by Yoon is not just about loyalty, but about defending South Korea from what they see as encroaching influences of North Korea. Despite the dismissive attitude many South Koreans have toward conspiracy theories, these ideas have taken root, fueled by right-wing YouTube channels and social media. For fervent supporters like Kim, the stakes are high. "When I leave home for this rally every day, I tell my wife that this may be the last time she sees me alive, because I am ready to die for my cause," he said, emphasizing that this is larger than Yoon; it’s about preserving the nation for future generations.Yoon's base, popularly known as the "taegeukgi budae" or "national-flag brigade," consists of mostly older, religious citizens who invigorate rallies with patriotic songs and flags, vehemently opposing left-wing political figures. As they gather persistently outside Yoon's residence, they pledge to prevent any detention attempts, symbolizing a larger clash of ideologies within South Korea.
