'Minjumyochong', 'Jeonmyojo', 'Ddonggangaji Sanchaek Yeonhap'
Taking to the Streets with Witty Flags Free of Political Colors
The Origin of 'Amumal Daejanchi Flag' Dates Back to 2016
"Please just let us lie down. Do we have to get up after leaving the house?" (National Lie-at-Home Alliance)
"The country must be peaceful for cats (nyang-i) to be happy." (Beomyaong Solidarity)
"Impeach before returning to school." (National Leave-of-Absence Students Association)
On the 7th, at rallies held across the country including Yeouido, Seoul, mysterious group flags whose nature could not be identified just by their names fluttered. 'Eoljuka (Eoreo Jugeodo Ice Americano) Association Seoul Branch', 'National Eoljuk Coat (Eoreo Jugeodo Coat) Federation', 'No Phone While Walking Movement Headquarters'... In addition, flags without group names and with ambiguous meanings such as "Please Hug the Snowman" and "This Seat Has Already Been Selected" were also noticeable.
According to foreign media reports on the 8th, AFP reported, "Many protesters held flags they made themselves or played K-pop," introducing various flags.
The flag of the 'National Stay-at-Home Alliance' appeared at the rally site in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 7th. Online community Theqoo
In response to this scene, online communities and social networking services (SNS) reacted with what was literally a 'nonsense flag festival.' Citizens took to the streets carrying witty flags representing not only their identity or hobbies but also their pets and favorite items. Those who could not make flags spontaneously organized the 'National Club for People Who Could Not Prepare Flags.'
The flag of the 'National Procrastination Federation,' which postpones today's tasks until tomorrow, bore the phrase "But it can no longer be delayed," giving a fresh impression of how urgent the impeachment rally was for them. Besides them, other 'masters of laziness' such as members of the 'National Lie-at-Home Alliance' and the 'Please, People Who Just Want to Do Nothing Group' also participated in the rally. One citizen organized the 'OTT Can't Decide What to Watch Association' and shouted slogans like "Condemn anything, oppose whatever, guarantee this and that."
Pet owners also took to the streets. They formed groups such as 'Jeonmyojo' (National Cat Group), 'Dog Paw Smell Research Society,' 'Poop Puppy Walking Federation,' 'Overweight Cat Alliance,' and 'National Cat Owner Labor Union (Chamyaong)' to participate in the rally. Not only dogs and cats but also fans of Fubao, the first giant panda born in Korea and returned to China last April, organized the 'Group Wishing for Fubao's Happiness.' Their flags featured images of Fubao.
The flags of the "Jeon-guk Eoljukko Yeonhaphoe" and the "Jeon-guk Eoljuka Yeonhaphoe" are fluttering in the wind. Online community Theqoo
There were citizens who revealed their dietary preferences through flags like 'Eoljuka,' 'Triangle Kimbap Gourmet,' and 'Mint Chocolate Faction,' and those interested in health also joined the rally with flags such as 'National Turtle Neck Association,' 'National Blood Sugar Spike Prevention Association,' 'National Cold Hands and Feet Federation,' and 'Tennis Elbow Patients Union.'
This 'nonsense flag festival' first appeared during the 2016 impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. At that time, even citizens unrelated to specific organizations took to the streets, creating flags parodying labor and civic groups or unions and participating in protests. Notable flags included 'Jeongyeollyeon,' a parody of the Federation of Korean Industries; 'National Flowerpot Preservation Civic Alliance,' parodying the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice; and 'Minjumo (Cat) Chong,' 'Mandu No Chong Shrimp Mandu Union,' imitating the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.
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