Ahead of the anticipated re-vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol scheduled for the 14th, it has become a hot topic that Korean Americans have reserved food trucks to show their support alongside the rally participants.
On the 7th, the day of the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, citizens are urging the impeachment of President Yoon in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
On the 11th, a post titled "Sending Snack Trucks - Contracted 4 Fish Cake Trucks" was uploaded on the online community board 'Mishi USA' for Korean American women in the U.S. The author, Ms. A, began by saying, "This is my first time doing something like this, so I want someone to check the progress, and I think many people who donated are curious as well."
Ms. A stated that four fish cake trucks, each carrying 3,000 fish cake skewers totaling 12,000, will be stationed near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the 14th to provide warm fish cakes and broth to the rally participants. The approximately 18 million won cost was raised through donations from overseas Koreans active in Mishi USA, and the trucks will display the Mishi USA logo.
Ms. A wrote, "Even though our bodies are scattered across various countries, our hearts are with the protesters. This started to let them know that." She added, "I am grateful to be able to contribute in this way and thankful to all the Mishi members who joined. I hope we can raise a toast to victory together this Saturday, but if it becomes a long battle, let's prepare snack trucks for next week and the week after as well."
According to another Korean American community, 'NY Culture Beat,' this fundraising began on the 9th when Helen Jung, who lives in Fullerton, California, posted a story on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe together with Mishi USA members.
Ms. Jung introduced herself in a post titled "Sending Snack Trucks for Yoon Suk-yeol Impeachment Protesters" on GoFundMe and the community, saying, "I am an ordinary housewife raising a young child who has spent more time living in the U.S. than in Korea." She continued, "I lived thinking that having no major interest in Korean affairs or politics and just spending each day safely with my family was the best?until the declaration of 'martial law'."
She went on, "Watching the Korean national dignity and economy, built with the blood and sweat of our people since the Japanese colonial era, plummet endlessly overnight at the hands of a foolish person in power, I became so overwhelmed with rage that daily life became impossible. This cold winter, there are people who have taken to the streets to protect our country in crisis. I wanted to contribute even a small part from here, so I started this fundraiser," explaining the purpose.
The fundraiser attracted over 250 participants within just four hours of its launch, drawing significant attention.
The Democratic Party announced that on the 14th at 5 p.m., the National Assembly plenary session will vote on the second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol. As a large crowd is expected to gather at the impeachment rally, posts have been circulating on social media requesting restaurants and cafes near the National Assembly to provide food or drinks to participants, with some places already receiving prepaid orders.
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