Participants hold candles during the 14th candlelit rally held in Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul, Feb. 4. / Yonhap

By Kim Bo-eun

The candlelit protests, initially birthed out of the people’s determination to protect values such as fairness and rule of law, have now become a battleground for political ideals.

The protests began on Oct. 29, following the outbreak of the scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidant Choi Soon-sil. Choi, who held no government post, was alleged to have meddled in state affairs and received countless favors, from her daughter’s college admission to huge donations from conglomerates.