Singer Kim Heung-guk (65) has sparked controversy after it was revealed that he made statements supporting President Yoon Suk-yeol, who has been labeled a “ringleader of rebellion,” during a hardline conservative rally held in front of the presidential residence. On January 2, Kim took the stage at a rally in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, organized to prevent the “unlawful arrest in front of President Yoon’s residence,” and defended President Yoon unilaterally. Having actively supported Yoon during the last presidential election, Kim praised him by saying, “President Syngman Rhee did well, President Park Chung-hee did well, and President Chun Doo-hwan did well, but President Yoon Suk-yeol is doing the best.” He did not hesitate to praise dictators and perpetrators of massacres.
Kim also expressed a strong animosity toward the opposing camp. He remarked, “Don’t call me ‘martial law butterfly’ or ‘rebellion butterfly.’ They speak nonsense whenever they open their mouths,” emphasizing that, as Koreans, people should unite during difficult times regardless of political affiliation, rather than insisting that only one side is correct.
Furthermore, Kim criticized former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who supported President Yoon’s impeachment. He mentioned having dinner with Han after the April 10 general election and noted, “I was severely criticized just for having a meal. The people in Yongsan don’t see me as a person. I feel like I can live without Han Dong-hoon. I don’t keep in touch with him.”
Kim shared that his children urged him not to attend the rallies, saying, “I have sons and daughters, and they were stopping me. They pleaded, ‘Dad, please don’t go to Gwanghwamun and Hannam-dong.’ They were worried I might end up in prison, thinking I’m not a true Korean if I stay in this position.”
Despite various allegations involving President Yoon and his wife, Kim has passionately supported Yoon, identifying himself as a “Yoon Suk-yeol guardian.” As a Marine Corps Class 401 veteran, Kim diverged from other Marine Corps veterans who criticized Yoon regarding the investigation obstruction allegations in the death of Lance Corporal Chae, as Kim continued to defend Yoon unconditionally.
At the rally, Kim declared, “I learned that the Marine Corps leads the way in protecting Korea. All Marine Corps veterans watching on YouTube across the country and the world, charge towards Hannam-dong,” encouraging participation in the rally. However, Kim had previously resigned as vice president of the Marine Corps Veterans Association in March due to controversies over his support activities for the People Power Party.
On social networking services (SNS) and online communities, many netizens expressed condemnation of Kim. One netizen wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Kim Heung-guk, who praises Yoon Suk-yeol, a rebellion chief, and Chun Doo-hwan, has crossed the line too far. He should be severely punished for inciting rebellion and permanently expelled from the broadcasting industry.”