9 of 11 Seoul People Power Party Offices Receive Funeral Wreaths... Flood of Protests Against Impeachment Opposition

Angry Public Sentiment Expressed Through Truck Protests and Egg Throwing at Constituency Offices
Concerns Over the Level of Expression

As members of the People Power Party collectively boycotted the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, public anger has been directed at the ruling party's constituency offices. Condolence wreath deliveries, truck protests, egg throwing, and protest calls have been pouring in.

On the 10th, Asia Economy conducted a full survey of 11 constituency offices of People Power Party lawmakers in Seoul and confirmed that condolence wreaths were delivered to 9 of them. At the constituency office of Assemblyman Kim Jae-seop in Dobong-gu, Seoul, trash was placed alongside the condolence wreaths. Some citizens threw eggs near the office. As the level of protest intensified, the office staff evacuated and requested assistance from the Dobong Police Station in Seoul.

On the 8th, a weapon and a sign demanding impeachment were found in front of Assemblyman Kim's residence, leading to strengthened personal protection. A police official said, "We have taken measures such as increasing patrols in front of the office," adding, "However, since the office expressed that they do not want the incident to be processed, no separate investigation is being conducted."

On the 10th, a protest truck opposing the absence from the impeachment vote was parked near the district office of Assemblyman Jo Jeonghun, located in Daehyeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by the office of Assemblyman Jo Jeonghun

In front of Assemblyman Cho Jeong-hoon's constituency office in Mapo-gu, Seoul, truck protests continued. The truck's electronic billboard repeatedly displayed the phrase, 'The moment you leave the impeachment voting hall, the hearts of Mapo residents also leave.' There was a condolence wreath in front of the office entrance. As citizens continued to throw eggs, the office staff have been struggling to clean the building.

In front of Assemblyman Shin Dong-wook's office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, eight condolence wreaths were placed. The wreaths bore decorative phrases such as 'Apologize for supporting impeachment' and 'Disqualify the proxy rights of Seocho residents.' Constituency offices across the districts are suffering from a flood of protest calls. Office staff expressed their difficulties, saying, "Calls from citizens come as naturally as breathing."

On the 10th, condolence wreaths were lined up in front of the district office of Assemblyman Shin Dong-wook located in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yeom Da-yeon

Condolence wreaths and truck protests are seen as diversifying ways for the public to express their anger. Professor Heo Chang-deok of the Department of Sociology at Yeungnam University said, "In the past, citizens protested by holding placards or wearing headbands, but recently they have been expressing their opinions through condolence wreaths and the like. From the perspective of diversity in expression, this is a desirable phenomenon," but also added, "However, when it escalates to physical forms such as carrying weapons or throwing eggs, it constitutes intimidation, so it is not appropriate to tolerate such harm under the guise of freedom of expression."