Becoming <i>Yugajok</i>: From Bereaved Families to Social Activists in South Korea

Abstract Why and how do bereaved families come to engage in activism after losing their loved ones, and how does this differ from past mobilizations of bereaved families in South Korea? Employing a processual approach to social movement participation, this article examines the ongoing bereaved families’ activism in South Korea. Typically, the participation of bereaved family members deepens gradually through four stages: (1) loss and being unable to mourn; (2) critical truth-finding and system attribution; (3) becoming involved in yugajok activism; and (4) continuing and reproducing activism. The families’ action begins when they perceive post-loss institutional procedures as inadequate and unjust. With support from allies, families uncover systemic causes of the tragedies, which raises concerns about their recurrence. Consequently, families join broader social movements to rectify the flawed system, extending beyond their own losses. Given the rising disaster risks, this article emphasizes the need for extensive research on contemporary yugajok activism and underexplored systemic negligence, which facilitate political engagements that are distinct from those against state violence under authoritarian regimes.