An anonymous donor contributed 5 million won (approximately $3,800) in advance to purchase coffee at a café near the National Assembly in Seoul, in support of participants in the popular protests calling for the removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol following his declaration of martial law last week.
A post on the platform “X” stated: “A man in his fifties prepaid for about 1,200 cups of coffee worth 5 million won for the protesters. The participating café is ‘Paris Baguette’ near the KBS building in Yeouido, and the code to claim the coffee is ‘Kim Min-joo’.”
The post clarified that anyone could receive a free drink by providing the name used for payment at the café.
A receipt for the 5 million won prepayment for beverages at “Paris Baguette” near the National Assembly highlighted the donor’s support for protesters.
The café is located near the National Assembly Station on Seoul Metro Line 9, where protests are frequently held. This initiative, which expresses solidarity with citizens enduring the cold weather to participate in demonstrations, has become an increasingly popular trend in the area.
The Yeouido branch of “Paris Baguette” near the KBS building confirmed that an individual had contacted them to arrange the prepayment and transferred 5 million won to the café’s account.
A branch official stated: “We are currently discussing when to begin providing the prepaid beverages to citizens.”
While the donation amount was substantial, the name used for the prepayment — “Kim Min-joo” — sparked significant interest online. The Korean meaning of the name, “democracy,” was seen as symbolic in light of the ongoing protests. Many speculated whether the name was real or deliberately chosen to reference the current political situation.
One user commented on the significance of the name, saying: “When I was a student in Jeolla Province, there were three students in my class named ‘Min-joo.’ It feels as though the generation that lived through the 1980 Gwangju Uprising wants to pass on the spirit of democracy to the next generation.”