How did the Minjung Misul movement connect art with political protest in South Korea?

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Liangzhu ceremonial cong — East Asian arts Ceremonial *cong* of jade (calcined nephrite), 3rd millennium bc, Neolithic Liangzhu culture; in the Seattle Art Museum, Wash., U.S.

The Minjung Misul movement, which translates to "People’s Art," emerged in South Korea during the 1980s as a significant departure from the prevailing artistic trends of the time. While previous movements, such as the Monochrome Art of the 1970s, focused on meditative harmony and the flat surface of the canvas, Minjung Misul artists shifted their attention toward pressing social themes.1

This movement directly connected art with political protest by utilizing creative expression to address the sociopolitical climate of the decade. By moving away from abstract or purely aesthetic concerns, these artists used their work to engage with the realities of South Korean society, effectively aligning themselves with the era's widespread political activism.1