In a year marked by seismic shifts in South Korea’s political landscape, a new documentary and a landmark speech at the United Nations have together cast a spotlight on the nation’s dramatic journey from democratic crisis to renewed global leadership. The film, The President We Made, The People Do It—abbreviated as Umandae—is set for release in November 2025, commemorating the first anniversary of the 12.3 insurrection. Meanwhile, President Lee Jae-myung, the central figure in both the documentary and the nation’s recent transformation, took to the podium at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2025, to declare Korea’s full return to the international community.
The story begins with the events of December 3, 2024, when South Korea faced an unprecedented crisis: the 12.3 insurrection. According to reports gathered by Cineplay, citizens responded with a wave of resistance, symbolized by K-pop cheering sticks—an image that has come to represent the so-called ‘light revolution.’ The documentary Umandae captures this unique moment, chronicling the solidarity of ordinary people who, armed with little more than glowing sticks and indomitable spirit, pushed back against the illegal coup and rallied for democracy. The film is directed by Jo Eun-sung, known for 1984 Choi Dong-won, and features music direction from Shin Dae-cheol, the legendary guitarist of the band Sinawe. Together, they aim to present not just a chronology of events, but the raw, dynamic images of a citizenry in action.
The first poster for Umandae evokes powerful emotions: a massive crowd, their cheering sticks illuminating the night, face off against the darkness of insurrection. At the center stands President Lee Jae-myung, fist clenched in determination. The tagline—“1st Anniversary Commemorative Work of Overcoming the 12.3 Insurrection”—makes clear that this is more than a film; it’s a tribute to the collective effort that shaped a new chapter in Korean democracy.
Two teaser trailers have been unveiled to build anticipation. The first, titled ‘Night of Insurrection,’ begins with the harrowing scene of soldiers storming the National Assembly, interspersed with the impassioned plea of then-Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung: “Please come to the National Assembly.” It tracks the anger and resolve of citizens as they mount their ‘light revolution,’ culminating in the dramatic moment of impeachment. The second teaser, ‘Day of Oath,’ shifts the tone to hopefulness, narrating Lee Jae-myung’s presidential oath on June 4, 2025—a day many now see as the dawn of a new Republic of Korea. The teasers, as Cineplay notes, together evoke both the urgency of crisis and the promise of renewal, offering a small pause for reflection and celebration amid ongoing democratic struggles.
Against this cinematic backdrop, President Lee Jae-myung’s keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly resonated with both historical depth and forward-looking ambition. As reported by Yonhap News and Maeil Kyungje, President Lee opened his address by declaring, “At today’s United Nations General Assembly, I proudly declare that a new Republic of Korea, which will be a beacon for global citizens, has fully returned to the international community.”
Lee’s speech was as much a tribute to the resilience of the Korean people as it was a statement of intent for the nation’s future. “Democracy and peace were once in crisis, but the Republic of Korea rose with indomitable power each time,” he said, referencing the events of December 2024. He called the ‘revolution of light’—the citizen-led resistance against the pro-Wi coup and civil unrest—a “historical scene that showed the brilliant achievement of the UN spirit.” Lee emphasized that the pro-Wi coup “could not break the strong will of the Korean people to desire democracy and peace.”
Marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Lee drew a powerful parallel between Korea’s tumultuous history and the UN’s mission. “If someone asks what the achievement of the United Nations is, I will answer with confidence, ‘Look at the history of 80 years of the Republic of Korea,’” he said. He credited the UN with supporting Korea’s journey from colonial liberation to industrialization and, ultimately, democracy—a journey, he argued, that embodies the UN’s core values of dignity, peace, and human rights.
Looking forward, President Lee outlined Korea’s growing role as a responsible global power. He pledged that Korea would “play a leading role in sharing the experience and history of restoring democracy,” and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to freedom, human rights, inclusion, and solidarity. He cited Korea’s contributions to UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding, and acknowledged the new challenges posed by artificial intelligence, climate change, and ongoing global conflicts.
In a nod to the future, Lee announced two major initiatives: the upcoming ‘APEC AI Initiative,’ to be unveiled at the APEC Summit in Gyeongju in October 2025, and Korea’s intention to submit a “responsible national greenhouse gas reduction goal” within the year. He also called for reforms to the UN Security Council, advocating for expanded non-permanent membership and greater effectiveness, and highlighted Korea’s active participation in the Security Council for the 2024-25 term.
Turning to inter-Korean relations, Lee struck a conciliatory tone, emphasizing the need to restore trust and reduce military tensions on the peninsula. He stated, “The most certain peace is that there is no need to fight,” and outlined his government’s commitment to ending hostilities, pursuing denuclearization through practical, step-by-step solutions, and supporting the normalization of relations between North Korea and the international community. Through what he dubbed the ‘E.N.D. Initiative,’ Lee hopes to “end the Cold War on the Korean Peninsula and play [Korea’s] role in contributing to world peace and prosperity.”
President Lee’s speech also highlighted the unifying power of Korean culture. He noted that “K-culture is uniting people around the world,” and argued that Korea’s recent democratic transformation—rooted in solidarity, co-prosperity, and consideration—serves as a model for a sustainable future and a new history for humanity. “Like the colorful light stick that the Korean people held in the face of the crisis of democracy, please hold a beacon of hope for the international community and the United Nations to reveal the future of mankind,” he urged.
In the end, the intertwined narratives of Umandae and President Lee’s UN address reflect a nation that has not only survived a democratic crisis but has emerged with renewed vigor and a sense of purpose on the world stage. The documentary promises to capture the raw emotion and collective determination of the Korean people, while Lee’s speech signals a bold commitment to peace, innovation, and global cooperation. As Korea marks the first anniversary of overcoming the 12.3 insurrection, both the film and the president’s words offer a timely reminder: democracy’s light, once kindled, can illuminate a path through even the darkest times.