South Korea martial law brings youth into streets with K-pop light sticks

President's attempt to suspend rights inflamed latent frustration, analyst says

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Young protesters in Seoul hold placards with messages calling for the ouster of President Yoon Suk Yeol. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok) 

STEVEN BOROWIEC, Nikkei staff writer

SEOUL -- Last week Kim Mii felt driven to protest against her country's president when she saw armed soldiers storm the legislature.

Late on the night of Dec. 3, Kim was among countless South Koreans shaken by President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden declaration of martial law, an arrangement that would have suspended key rights like freedom of assembly and speech.

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