Protesters in South Korea Use Parody Flags to Express Political Dissent

DECEMBER 23, 2024 — South Korean protesters have embraced humor and satire as tools of dissent, crafting parody flags to voice their discontent with President Yoon Suk Yeol following the December 3 emergency martial law declaration, the New York Times reports.

Demonstrators have used these satirical flags as part of their protests demanding the president’s resignation. The flags carry slogans representing fictional organizations such as the “Dumpling Union of the Dumpling Workers’ Union,” the “Pizza Topping Research Group in the Room,” and the “Union of People Who Have Been Pushed Back.” Other flags feature the “Federal Cat Butler Federation,” and the “National Association of Hair Loss Pathologists.”

These whimsical creations satirize real-life organizations like unions, churches, and schools.

According to Yonsei University history professor Lee Ki-hoon, these creative expressions reflect a deliberate choice by protesters to communicate their grievances with humor.

Speaking to the NYT, he stated, “They are trying to convey the message that ‘this situation is unacceptable even to those of us who have nothing to do with political organizations.'”

He further noted that the presence of these flags helps diffuse tension, maintaining a protest atmosphere that is optimistic rather than hostile.

Image: Reddit