"Looking for Impeachment Goods"... Paper Newspapers Sold Out After Impeachment Bill Passed, Secondhand Trading Booms

Extra Edition of Newspaper Impeachment Popular
Online Additional Copies Also Sold Out

Over the weekend, as the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol was passed, more citizens have been seeking so-called 'impeachment goods.' The special edition of the paper newspaper published by some media on the 9th has sold out not only its planned circulation but also additional copies, and is being sold at 5 to 7 times higher prices on secondhand trading sites.

On the 4th, a newspaper extra related to President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law was placed at the entrance of Gwanghwamun Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

According to related industries on the 16th, the paper newspapers published by some media on the 9th sold out all copies printed on the day, and even the additional copies sold through their online stores were sold out. The media outlet featured the faces and names of 105 People Power Party lawmakers who did not participate in the vote on the front page after the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol failed to reach a quorum on the 7th. It was also found that the special editions published by this media on the 4th and 7th regarding President Yoon’s emergency martial law were sold in quantities of about 50,000 copies each.

A representative of the media said, "We sold additional quantities through our online store, but now all stock is sold out, so it is impossible to purchase," adding, "Inquiries continue to increase even until the afternoon of that day." Another media representative also said, "Currently, only a free PDF file of the front page of the newspaper is provided online for download," and "Unfortunately, there is no stock available for purchase through the headquarters."

Online community screenshot

Given this situation, citizens are going around convenience stores and subway station newspaper stands searching for the small remaining stock. On online communities that day, posts such as "I searched convenience stores around Sinchon for over an hour and finally got 'impeachment goods'" and "Sharing locations of convenience stores where OO newspaper can be found" were posted.

On secondhand trading sites, inquiries about obtaining the newspaper are actively being made. Currently, the paper newspaper of the relevant date is being sold at around 10,000 won, which is 5 to 7 times the regular price. Yoon Jeong-hee, an office worker living in Mapo-gu, Seoul, said, "I think this newspaper will serve as a historical record to look back on the historic moment of impeachment later," adding, "I believe it is worth buying even at 10,000 won. I plan to scrap the article and keep it for a long time."

Experts analyzed that the so-called 'impeachment goods' are stimulating the purchasing desire of the younger generation as value consumption. Professor Lee Eun-hee of Inha University’s Department of Consumer Studies said, "In the case of paper newspapers, they can be used as records to look back on historic events such as the passage of the impeachment," and added, "In today’s era where interest in paper newspapers is low, these newspapers from the media have stimulated the value consumption desires of the younger generation who are united within the same value."