On April 8th of last year, five days after President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment, young people, led by the "Free University," marched towards the official residence in Hannam-dong, chanting "Yoon Again." [Photo=Yonhap News]

Park Jun-young, representative of "Free University," is staging a hunger strike in front of the Seoul Central District Court and at a hospital, urging the judiciary to conduct a fair trial regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's case.

Representative Park began his indefinite hunger strike at 8:30 AM on the 7th in front of the west gate of the Seoul Central District Court. At the press conference, he strongly condemned the trial of President Yoon on charges of "sedition," labeling it a "political trial" based on political objectives rather than legal principles.

His arduous struggle, including being transported to the hospital by ambulance, is aimed at urging the dismissal of charges and an acquittal in President Yoon's trial. Through this, he seeks to demonstrate the public's concern for the nation to judicial officials and to appeal to the judges, such as Chief Judge Ji Gwi-yeon of the Seoul Central District Court, to make a fair judgment based on legal principles, having started his solo protest in the harsh cold.

'Space Warriors' United in Mind Amid Cold and Heavy Snow

Just one year ago, January 2025 was bitterly cold. The impeachment motion had been passed by the National Assembly on December 14, 2024, one month prior, suspending President Yoon Suk-yeol's duties. Therefore, liberal-right groups and citizens were braving the cold, continuing their rallies in the streets, demanding the Constitutional Court reject President Yoon's impeachment.

Furthermore, when the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) obtained an arrest warrant for President Yoon and attempted to execute it, liberal-right citizens gathered at the Hannam-dong official residence and other locations, spending the night wrapped in emergency blankets to block the arrest.

Their appearance, with emergency blankets wrapped from head to toe in sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow, resembled Hershey's Kisses chocolates. Consequently, they were nicknamed "Kisses overcoming the cold," "Kisses protesters," and "Kisses group" online.

Physics professor Kim Sang-wook noted that these emergency blankets were originally "space blankets" developed by NASA for heat insulation, and he likened the citizens engaged in all-night protests to "space warriors."

Free University... The Clear Bell Sound Illuminating the Darkness

"Free University" was formed in January of last year, around the same time, amidst fervent protests against President Yoon's impeachment and efforts to block his arrest. Centered around Kim Jun-hee, then-representative of Free University and a student at Hanyang University, and Park Jun-young, then-vice-representative and a political science and international relations student at Yonsei University, a solidarity of young people was formed on January 16th, spearheaded by university students.

They began their activities by holding national declarations of their stance against President Yoon's impeachment in areas like Daehangno, Seoul. They expanded their influence by uniting like-minded university students nationwide through online platforms such as Instagram and Everytime, leading national declarations against impeachment at major universities including Yonsei, Seoul National University, and Korea University.

Initial Name 'Free Defense University Alliance'... Now a Youth Organization Encompassing the 2030 Generation

Initially operating under the name "Free Defense University Alliance," they later changed their name to "Free University" and developed into an organization with students from about 40 universities nationwide, serving as a focal point for the liberal-right youth movement.

Currently, Free University has grown into an organization encompassing not only university students but the entire 2030 generation with liberal-right leanings. This is because they are addressing the thirst for solutions to problems that established politicians have failed to resolve, through direct action by young people and the establishment of clear values, without overtly displaying political colors.

Unlike past right-wing civic gatherings, which were largely dominated by older individuals, Free University has fostered a new right-wing youth culture where university students voluntarily issue statements on current affairs and engage in protests with dance, song, and drumming, garnering empathy from their peers.

Most importantly, they are gaining support by presenting clear values such as "defending liberal democracy" and "restoring the rule of law" to young people who are repulsed by the ideological offensives and false propaganda of the left-wing faction.

The Weight of Darkness Surrounding Us... First Verdict Scheduled for the 16th

As of January 2026, President Yoon is simultaneously facing eight criminal trials while in detention. Among these, the trial for "leader of rebellion (rebellion ringleader)" charges had its final hearing on the 9th, but it has now been postponed to the 13th. Under the criminal code, the crime of rebellion ringleader carries only the penalty of death or life imprisonment if found guilty.

In addition, for the trial concerning charges of "obstruction of special official duties and abuse of power," commonly known as "arrest obstruction," the special prosecutor requested a 10-year prison sentence in the final hearing on December 26th of last year, with the first-instance verdict scheduled for the 16th.

There are concerns that this case seeks to rush a guilty verdict on lesser charges before a legal conclusion is reached on the core issue of whether "rebellion" is established. This marks the first verdict expected among the martial law-related trials.

As time passes with no significant response from the opposition parties, including the People Power Party, to the "unconditional blame-shifting" of the Lee Jae-myung administration and the left-wing faction, and as liberal-right patriotic citizens witness President Yoon's gaunt appearance, having endured humiliation such as arrest and detention following the December 3rd emergency martial law, they swallow bitter tears.

"When Youth Starve, It Means the Future of This Nation is Starving"

In this context, the hunger strike initiated by Park Jun-young, representative of Free University, serves as a stark reminder of how much the South Korean judiciary has been damaged and how deeply, without our notice, South Korea has been dragged into the mire.

On the 10th, his fourth day of fasting, Representative Park collapsed due to deteriorating health while speaking at a Free University rally held on the road near the courthouse and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. However, even after receiving emergency treatment, he expressed his strong will to continue the hunger strike at the hospital, stating, "I will not stop fighting until a fair judgment is rendered by the judiciary."

Even after Representative Park was taken to the hospital, the tent in front of the Seoul Central District Court remains. Despite the harsh conditions, including the tent collapsing due to strong winds recently, members and supporters of Free University are maintaining their presence and continuing Representative Park's struggle.

Representative Park Jun-young's hunger strike is a life-risking battle for a free South Korea on the cold asphalt amidst a biting cold wave. It is a lonely struggle that no one else can undertake for him.

Of course, there are other liberal-right citizens who silently endure the cold and heat, engaged in arduous struggles on the asphalt. However, they are few. As they pass by him, engaged in his lonely struggle, the typical reaction of the majority of the right-wing, who have remained unconcerned as if watching a fire across a river, is to say, "Oh dear, it must be tough for such a young person," or "It must be cold, what a pity." They have been pushed to the brink by the left-wing faction.

Until when will this continue? Shouldn't one beginning lead to two and then three, uniting their strength? Then, dawn will come. It will surely come. Do you not hear the bell of Siloam ringing in the darkness?

Reporter Park Hye-su