The dead save the living - Lee Han-yeol in 1987 and December 3, 2024

Background of the 12·3 Attempted Coup

In December 2024, South Korea witnessed a critical moment where the most fundamental order of democracy was threatened. The so-called '12.3 coup attempt' has been revealed, involving then-President Yoon Seok-yeol and some high-ranking military and intelligence officials who reportedly sought to maintain power and seize control through martial law. According to the prosecutor's investigation, they had been plotting to declare martial law at least since March 2024, preparing a specific implementation scenario that included controlling the National Assembly and media, seizing the Election Commission, and deploying the armed forces.

Public backlash and civil society response

However, this plan triggered a strong backlash from public opinion and an immediate response from civil society shortly after its implementation. Just six hours after the declaration of martial law, the National Assembly passed a unanimous resolution to lift the martial law, and within the military, there was a sense of hesitation regarding the execution of orders. The December 3 incident was not merely a political failure but a symbolic event demonstrating how democracy can defend itself through the memory and learning of the community.

The death of martyr Lee Han-yeol and the symbol of democratization

There is a clear memory of a specific event underlying this. It is the experience of democratization symbolized by the death of Lee Han-yeol in June 1987. Lee Han-yeol was struck in the head by a tear gas canister fired by the police during a rally at Yonsei University on June 9, 1987. One month later, on July 5, he ultimately lost his life. His death served as a decisive turning point in the transition to democracy in South Korea, transcending mere tragedy.

Social Changes Since 1987

At that time, society was in a state of heightened political tension due to the April 13th constitutional measures, and discontent among student movements and civil society had accumulated. However, after the scene of Lee Han-yeol's injury was reported by the media, citizens who had remained silent began to take to the streets. The people gathered in front of Yonsei University no longer viewed his death as 'someone else's incident' but accepted it as 'their own matter,' which ultimately led to the June 29th declaration and the direct election constitutional amendment.

Threats to Democracy in Modern Society

In 2023, 36 years later, Korean society was no longer under the oppressive heel of military rule. However, the fact that power could still pose a threat to democracy was confirmed through the December 3rd incident in 2024. What was astonishing was the automatic immune response from the entire society to this attempt. At that time, Representative Lee Jae-myung appealed to citizens through YouTube, and many voluntarily gathered at the National Assembly.

Memory of Democracy and Social Standards

This reaction is not accidental. It originates from learned memories and experiences. The memories of Gwangju in 1980, Seoul in 1987, and the countless failures and deaths have become the standard that moves us today. The author Han Kang wrote in 'The Boy Who Comes' that 'the dead save the living.' Although it's a literary expression, it carries very specific and practical meaning in modern Korean history.

The Aftermath of Lee Han-yeol and Korean Democracy

Lee Han-yeol has died. However, his death has pushed back the authoritarian regime and left a standard for later generations regarding 'what democracy is.' This standard is not only found in constitutional articles or textbooks but serves as a collective judgment framework to measure 'what constitutes excessive power' and 'how far we can tolerate.'

History and Personal Memory

The immediate response of citizens to the attempt at martial law in 2024, the swift movement of the National Assembly, and even signs of defection within the military were possible thanks to the accumulation of experience with democracy and the sacrifices that marked its beginning. History is often said to be either broken or repeated. However, the case of Lee Han-yeol presents another possibility in between.

The Autonomy of Society and the Memory of Tragedy

The way the dead seek to save the living is often quiet. Even without stepping into the public square, people at some point judge, 'This is not right.' It is the clearest evidence that the sacrifices of the past are alive within us. The death of Lee Han-yeol serves not only as a symbol of democracy written in blood but also shows that that blood continues to function today.

On that day, Lee Han-yeol's death was not in vain. The dead saved the living.