STORY: As protesters brave Seoul’s frosty winter to demand President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, they’ve been getting fueled by a surge in online donations of hot coffee and hearty snacks.
Protester Heo Kang-hu says she feels supported by the gesture.
“Honestly, it feels like Korean politics is frozen right now, but this (prepaid beverage idea) seems to warm the hearts of the citizens. It made me think that I’m glad that I came here today, seeing how much thought and care people give to protesters like us.”
People across South Korea have been using delivery apps to pre-order food and drinks for protesters.
At the Royal Host cafe near the parliament in Seoul, owner Kang Mi-hyun has seen a surge in orders.
“First, there were orders of around 20 cups of hot Americano, and 20 cups of lattes, and 10 egg tarts, but now the basic start line (for prepaid orders) is 100 drinks, and for this Saturday’s rally, 1,000 cups of Americano have already been paid for.”
“I believe there are people who want to join the rally, but are unable to participate because they live far away, or like they cannot make it. Those people call our cafe and preorder and prepay for drinks and tarts as a way to support and be part of the rally.”
Yoon survived the first attempt to impeach him last Saturday when most of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote.
A second impeachment vote will take place on Saturday (December 14).
If passed, it would send the case to the Constitutional Court,
which has up to six months to decide whether to remove him from office or reinstate him.
