Picture shows protest against S.Korea president in November, not after martial law bid

"People of South Korea are now on streets to protest against the declaration of martial law," read a Facebook post shared by a Pakistan-based user on December 4, 2024.

The post showed a picture of a large nighttime gathering of people on a street -- with tents, vehicles and authorities in yellow jackets visible.

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Screenshot of the false Facebook post, taken on December 4, 2024

The picture was shared by accounts in Thailand, Myanmar, India, Malaysia and the Philippines shortly after Yoon's martial law declaration plunged South Korea into deep turmoil and alarmed its close allies.

Yoon's bid to suspend civilian rule for the first time in over four decades spurred protests -- before being overturned by lawmakers in a night of drama (archived links here and here).

The circulating photo, however, was taken days before Yoon's martial law announcement.

A reverse image search on Google found a higher-quality version of the photo published by Italian news agency Ansa Latina on November 30, 2024 (archived link).

Its caption said it was taken during a protest that day in the capital Seoul to demand Yoon's resignation. It was credited to European Pressphoto Agency (EPA) photographer Jeon Heon-Kyun.

A keyword search on the EPA website found that the same photo published on November 30, 2024 (archived link).

Part of the caption read: "Members of the 'Complex group of Citizens' civic groups gather during a rally calling for South Korean president's resignation, in Seoul, South Korea, 30 November 2024."

"Protesters called for the resignation of the South Korean president Yoon Suk-Yeol amid a series of controversies surrounding his wife, including allegations of stock manipulation, bribery, and interference in nominations. EPA-EFE/JEON HEON-KYUN."

Below is a screenshot comparison between the picture circulting online (left) and the photo on the EPA website (right):

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Screenshot comparison between the false Facebook post (left) and the photo on EPA website (right)

The November 30 rally was organised by South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party and drew around 100,000 participants, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency (archived link).

Demonstrators criticised Yoon's administration for its alleged mishandling of state affairs and called for a special counsel investigation into First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who faced allegations of stock manipulation, bribery and political interference, the report said.