Hannam-dong in Seoul has become a hub of unrest, overwhelmed by noise, traffic congestion and protests. Police shields stand as barriers, separating ruling and opposition party supporters from clashing over their beliefs. Amid this chaos are uncertain youths caught in the crossfire, their faces reflecting confusion and fear, untouched by the political disputes around them.

Passing through this volatile scene, I can’t help but feel a sense of pity. Citizens on both sides — those supporting and opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law — shout fiercely, defending their convictions. Yet beneath their fiery resolve lies a deeper fear: the fear of being ostracized or even harmed for daring to express dissenting views.

My foreign friends, observing this turmoil, often voice their concerns, wondering if........

© The Korea Times