Seoul is collecting photos, video footage and other records of the millions-strong protests held in the center of the city that led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye in December, intent to preserve them as historical records at a city-run museum.

According to the Seoul Museum of History, it has so far collected some 400 items, including picket signs and placards, used in or related to the large-scale anti-Park candlelight vigils, picked by museum staff from the site. 

It is also receiving photos and video footage taken by citizens for an exhibition in June or July, a museum official said.
“We have been purchasing or receiving public donations of historical records related to modern and contemporary history. Candlelight vigils held at Gwanghwamun Square will be remembered as a historic moment,” the official said. 

Demonstrations gathered in Seoul every Saturday evening for the last two months of 2016 to demand President Park’s immediate ouster over a massive corruption and influence-peddling scandal. 

Despite the stern and unforgiving message, the protests were peaceful and full of wit and humor, with people denouncing Park and other figures embroiled in the scandal with satirical and witty placards and banners.
A satirical replica of the president with a rope tied around her gigantic torso garnered attention, while some protesters dressing up as Choi Soon-sil, the president’s now-infamous friend accused of meddling in state affairs. Creative banners also abounded, such as “Target complete, Park Geun-hye Out.”  

Separate from the museum, the Seoul Metropolitan Government also plans to collect data on the anti-Park protests to publish a white paper on the event. 

“South Korean’s weekly candlelight vigil not only showed people power, but was a sign of democracy growth. Its historical value should be remembered and shown to future generations,” a city government official said. 

Rally organizers say an accumulated 10.3 million citizens participated in the 13 Saturday protests that ended Jan. 21. It was the biggest in the nation’s history, estimated at more than double the size of the democratic uprising of June 1987, when about 1 million people poured onto the streets to end the long era of military dictatorship.

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)