12(2). Like a Phoenix: The Rebirth of Korean Democracy in 2025

What does it take for a democracy to save itself?

In this episode, I share the real-time story of how Koreans rose up—again.

When a sitting president declared martial law in 2024, the people responded with something extraordinary: a peaceful, relentless movement that brought him down and ushered in new leadership within months.

💡 You’ll hear about:

🧷 “The Kisses Brigade”—why silver thermal blankets became the unlikely symbol of Korea’s winter protests🧠 What makes Korean civic action so organized, passionate, and persistent👩‍🌾 How urban protestors joined hands with farmers in an unprecedented moment of solidarity⚖️ And why Korea’s legal system didn’t collapse under pressure—but rose to the occasion

This is Part 2 of The People’s Mandate: Korea’s Democratic Edge, a miniseries within Growing Up in Korea.

It's a front-row seat to a historic moment—and a reflection on how memory, pain, and pride fuel a nation’s fight for justice.

🎙️ Audio created using Google NotebookLM📚 Part 12 of the “Growing Up in Korea” series🔗 Read the full article here

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit yoonjiwon.substack.com