Special Demand for Printing Companies Due to 'Yoon Seok-yeol Resignation Rally'... Increased Orders for Handheld Signs and Cards

Number of Protesters Soars After Martial Law
Picket Order Volume Triples Compared to Usual

As protests calling for President Yoon Seok-yeol's resignation continue nationwide, print specialty companies are experiencing a surge in demand. Orders for hand-held pickets and cards used by protest participants are increasing.

On the 7th, the day of the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, urging the impeachment of President Yoon. Each citizen held a hand placard that read "Reject Yoon Seok-yeol."

On the afternoon of the 11th, a print specialty company in Jung-gu, Seoul, had designs with protest slogans such as "Yoon Seok-yeol Resign" and "Impeach Him" posted on the wall. Employee Hong (54) said, "There were many protest-related orders before last weekend as well," adding, "We were worried because many year-end events were canceled one after another, causing a significant drop in orders, but the orders for making protest pickets and signs are filling that gap."

The situation is similar at other companies. Another print company in Jung-gu, Seoul, saw orders increase by more than 50% within a week. Owner Chae Gwang-yeon (55) explained, "Normally, there are many orders for calendars and diaries at the end of the year, but these have significantly decreased over the past few years, making it difficult. Suddenly, with the increase in protests, it is having a positive impact on the company's situation." The owner of an online picket production company, Lee (51), said, "Orders for pickets such as 'Why didn't you vote, Representative ○○○?' and 'Disband the People Power Party' are pouring in," adding, "It seems to have exceeded three times the usual order volume."

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the number of reported protests in Seoul surged around the emergency martial law declaration by President Yoon on the 3rd. From the 27th of last month to the 3rd of this month, there were 192,928 people, but from the 4th to the 10th of this month, the number increased to 613,479, more than three times higher.

Choi Cheol, a professor of Consumer Economics at Sookmyung Women's University, said, "Since protests are increasing rapidly, this surge in demand is only temporary and does not mean the printing industry is experiencing a boom," adding, "Ultimately, for the industry to thrive, the political situation must stabilize and the economy must be prosperous."