Reading Together with Citizens Every Night: Solidarity in Action
Lim Inja, Owner of Independent Bookstore 'Sonyeonui Seo', Proposes the Initiative
"If Impeachment Is Not Achieved After Finishing the Book, We Will Read Another One"
A citizen is holding the book 소년이 온다 at a reading meeting held at Gwangju 5·18 Democracy Square. Screenshot from the Instagram account 'Seonyeonui Seo'.
"Let us also gather in the square to read books and stand in solidarity. Let us protect democracy with books."
This is a post shared on social media on the 12th by Lim Inja, the owner of the Gwangju independent bookstore 'Sonyeonui Seo'. As citizens continue their hunger strike and sleep-out at the May 18 Democracy Square, calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, Lim proposed that people join together in solidarity by reading books.
The proposal was put into action immediately. 'Sonyeonui Seo' launched a reading group for "The Boy Is Coming" on the same day. The group meets every night from 9:00 to 10:30 at the May 18 Democracy Square and plans to continue until the verdict on President Yoon's impeachment is announced.
In a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 14th, Lim said, "I thought this declaration of martial law was an act that undermines democracy. As a bookstore owner, I wondered what I could do, and decided to read books in the square together with citizens."
The book Lim chose was "The Boy Is Coming" by Han Kang. Lim explained, "By reading this book, which contains the history of May 18, together at the very site, I wanted us to reflect on the things we must remember."
At the reading meeting held at Gwangju 5·18 Democracy Square, citizens are continuing their solidarity to demand impeachment while holding the book Boy. The books for the reading meeting initially consisted of three copies prepaid by a citizen and three copies provided by Boy's Book. Since then, donations have continued, increasing the number to more than ten copies. Many citizens also bring books from their personal collections. From the night of the 12th, about ten citizens joined the hunger strike group, reading books together. Screenshot from Boy's Book Instagram
The reactions from citizens attending the reading group have been varied. One citizen said, "I felt burdened about joining the protest and raising my voice, but hearing about reading books together in the square gave me the courage to participate." Another shared, "I once tried to read 'The Boy Is Coming' but couldn't finish it because it was too sad. Reading it together gave me the courage to try again."
Many citizens also come to the square after finishing their busy schedules. Lim said, "I hope this solidarity through reading brings comfort and strength to citizens. If the impeachment is not achieved even after we finish the book, we will read another one."
Citizens attending the 6th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally held on December 14 last year at the special stage in Geumnamro, Donggu, Gwangju, are cheering while holding hand signs. Photo by Song Bohyun
Meanwhile, calls for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol are growing in Gwangju and Jeonnam. Civil society and political circles are continuing their protests through shaving their heads, hunger strikes, and overnight sit-ins, demanding a swift decision from the Constitutional Court.
'Gwangju Emergency Action for Yoon Suk-yeol's Immediate Resignation and Social Reform' is holding overnight rallies, and Democratic Party lawmakers from Gwangju have also begun hunger strikes. Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeonnam, and the heads of five districts in Gwangju have started solo protests. As lawmakers from Gwangju continue their hunger strikes and head-shaving protests in the National Assembly, attention is focused on the Constitutional Court's final decision.
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