On the morning of January 5, as a heavy snow advisory blanketed all of Seoul, citizens wrapped in silver emergency blankets held a sit-in protest at the “Workers and Citizens Yoon Suk-yeol Arrest Rally” near the presidential residence in Yongsan District. (Photo provided by the office of Progressive Party lawmaker Jeong Hye-kyung.)
SEOUL, Jan. 6 (Korea Bizwire) — From January 3 to 6, the streets around Seoul’s Hannam-daero and St. Francesca Monastery became the stage for an extraordinary overnight protest.
Braving freezing temperatures and heavy snow, citizens clad in silver emergency blankets demanded the arrest of President Yoon Suk-yeol, accused of treason.
Dubbed the “Kisses Protesters” for their resemblance to the foil-wrapped Hershey’s Kisses chocolates, the demonstrators captured attention with their peaceful and innovative approach.
Despite up to 8 cm of snow and a severe weather advisory, they stood their ground, their reflective blankets shimmering under streetlights like sculptures of solidarity and resolve.
The silver blankets, originally developed by NASA to preserve body heat in space, became both a symbol of resilience and a tool for survival. Physicist Kim Sang-wook, a professor at Kyung Hee University, hailed the protesters as “space warriors” in a Facebook post, highlighting the ingenuity behind their choice of attire.
On the morning of January 6, the final day of validity for the arrest warrant against President Yoon Suk-yeol, citizens wrapped in silver emergency blankets continued their protest along Hannam-daero in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul. (Yonhap)
Online, the protest’s visuals sparked admiration, with participants affectionately nicknamed the “Kisses Brigade” and “Kisses Comrades.” What began as a call for President Yoon’s impeachment evolved into a broader movement for democratic rights and justice.
“We’re in the midst of a citizen revolution,” one protester declared. “If we don’t fight now, we’ll leave behind a history of shame for future generations.”
Protesters gathered in makeshift shelters alongside contemporary art installations in nearby buildings, while others huddled under silver blankets, enduring the cold together in a show of unity. The peaceful demonstrations combined defiance with creativity, sending a powerful message of hope and resistance.
“This is about reclaiming the people’s voice,” said one participant. “These nights weren’t just protests; they were moments of solidarity and the creation of hope.”
As dawn broke on January 5, the protesters reaffirmed their determination, chanting, “We will win” and “Democracy will prevail.” The ongoing demonstrations have highlighted the power of peaceful resistance, resilience, and collective action in the face of adversity.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
