An American flag waves during a demonstration near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 15, 2025. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)

SEOUL, South Korea — Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol are using American symbols to voice their allegiance following his arrest due to a failed attempt to impose martial law last month.

For weeks, thousands of pro-Yoon demonstrators rejecting the insurrection charges against him have rallied outside the National Assembly, presidential residence and courthouses. Many wave American flags, while others carry banners with conservative U.S. political slogans, such as “Make Korea Great Again,” linking Yoon’s situation to the future of U.S.-South Korea relations.

Yoon was arrested Jan. 15 after a weekslong standoff between his security detail and investigators. Early Sunday, the Seoul Western District Court extended his detention for up to 20 days at prosecutors’ request.

That decision stirred his supporters — many clutching U.S. flags — who stormed the building, broke windows and vandalized furniture and office equipment. Fifty-six had been arrested as of Wednesday, according to the court.

A supporter of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol rides a scooter near Seoul Western District Court, Jan. 20, 2025. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)

American and South Korean flags hang from a tent where volunteers serve coffee to supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 15, 2025. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)

A supporter of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol wears an American flag mask outside Seoul Western District Court, Jan. 20, 2025. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)

At a demonstration outside the court on Monday, protester David Heo donned a hat emblazoned with the stars and stripes.

“Since the founding of our country, people have waved the U.S. and South Korean flags together,” he said. “Even during Park Geun-hye’s administration, we waved both flags. It’s not anything strange.”

Park, who led the country from 2013 to 2017, was impeached and served nearly five years in prison for abuse of power and bribery.

Another Yoon supporter, Park Jin-hee, carried a sign that read, “Stop the Steal,” a phrase popularized by supporters of President Donald Trump. Yoon’s backers claim his impeachment is a politically motivated scheme by opposition parties.

“The U.S. has helped South Korea in many ways, including building hospitals, churches and schools during and after the Korean War,” Park said. “That’s why we’re holding two flags.”

Yoon declared martial law briefly on Dec. 3, prompting more than 1,000 protesters outside the National Assembly to demand his ouster. However, demonstrations by Yoon’s supporters now appear to outnumber those of his opponents.

Nearly 52% of 1,002 respondents to a poll released Monday by the Pen and Mike news agency said they believe Yoon’s arrest was justified. Nearly 45% said they still support the president.

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol damaged this wall during a protest at the Seoul Western District Court, Jan. 15, 2025. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)

A supporter of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol camps out in front of the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 15, 2025. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)

The day Yoon was taken into custody, hundreds of his supporters braved freezing temperatures outside the presidential residence, some equipped with sleeping bags and blankets.

Scores of presidential security staff also gathered outside the residence, where Yoon had barricaded himself. More than 3,000 police officers arrived to arrest him, according to the Reuters news agency, but Yoon surrendered “to prevent unsavory bloodshed.”

“We believe in politicians like Trump … so that’s why we’re waving the American flag,” said Shin Hee-chae, who traveled 200 miles from Ulsan to attend Monday’s rally. His car bore an American flag mounted on the hood.

The protests reflect generational divides in South Korea, according to Sung-Yoon Lee, a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C.

“Conservative groups in South Korea, many composed of senior citizens, have a closer connection to the U.S. due to their upbringing in the wake of the Korean War,” Lee said by phone Friday.

South Korea relied heavily on U.S. support after the war, with 69% of imports between 1953 and 1962 funded by Washington, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Lee noted that younger generations may harbor anti-U.S. sentiments due to historical incidents, such as the 2002 deaths of two South Korean schoolgirls hit by a U.S. Army vehicle. The soldiers involved were acquitted, leading to nationwide protests.

Another factor is hope among Yoon’s supporters that Trump or his allies might step in on Yoon’s behalf.

“They somewhat naively believe that the U.S. will somehow politically intervene, which, of course, it cannot, even if it wanted to,” Lee said.

A presidential election is expected in two months unless the Constitutional Court dismisses the impeachment.