The Republic of Korea was a nation properly founded as a liberal democratic state by the patriot Syngman Rhee, amidst all sorts of conspiracies and assassination threats from North Korea and the Soviet Union. 

Whenever I write such things, there are always people who curse at me, saying, "If you're a defector, you little brat, you should have just stayed quiet and earned a living, or go back to North Korea if you don't like it."

I did not come to South Korea because I couldn't afford to eat. Nor do I dislike South Korea. I simply cannot stand to see South Korea increasingly becoming like North Korea, which is why I am writing today.

The Republic of Korea was a nation properly founded as a liberal democratic state by the patriot Syngman Rhee, amidst all sorts of conspiracies and assassination threats from North Korea and the Soviet Union. Even pro-North Korea, pro-China leftists cannot deny this fact.

This is because the leftists clearly understand that if South Korea had also established a nation like North Korea, the Korean people would have to live under surveillance and control, starving like the North Korean people.

There is much evidence for this. If you were to tell pro-North Korean elements to go live in North Korea now, not a single one would go. This is because they know they would have to become dogs that cannot bark once they are in North Korea.

The fact that numerous intellectuals and cultural figures who yearned for socialism after liberation and went to North Korea were all purged or lived as slaves is also evidence.

Furthermore, look at the case of Lee In-mo, who dedicated his utmost loyalty to North Korea for over 40 years as an un-reconverted long-term prisoner, only to be labeled a traitor after returning to North Korea and speaking just one honest word.

Ultimately, President Syngman Rhee's choice was correct. However, today's Republic of Korea, 80 years later, is completely going in reverse.

First, the Republic of Korea has become a nation where patriotic presidents are dragged to prison or cannot even be buried properly in death. Instead, spies and criminals have taken over the country, ruling over the people.

Second, South Korea has degenerated into a nation where spies and traitors who betrayed the country are protected and favored, becoming the nation with the most spies and traitors on Earth.

Third, South Korea has become the most shameful and cowardly nation on Earth, where Chinese citizens receive more national benefits than Korean national merit recipients, and Koreans are sent to prison for 5 years if they criticize China.

Fourth, the separation of powers under the government is merely in name; criminals have seized power and reduced the legislature and judiciary to mere tools of dictatorship, mirroring North Korea and China.

Fifth, businesspeople and self-employed individuals who earn money and deserve respect are treated as exploiters and criminals, while politicians who spend money like trash enrich themselves with taxpayer money and rule over the people, turning the nation into a dirty place.

Sixth, although the constitution guarantees the people's right to know and freedom of the press, citizens are imprisoned for 10 years if they question the integrity of elections, making it a nation with unprecedented human rights violations.

Seventh, the enemy nation sends waste and drones to threaten our citizens and conduct reconnaissance, yet we remain silent. However, patriots who send drones to the enemy nation are imprisoned for 30 years, and the Drone Command is dismantled, making it a country of imbeciles.

Eighth, millions of Chinese nationals are brought in, taking over South Korea's political landscape, public authority, and even its land. If it weren't for the US military, "People's Committees" or a "Chinese Federal Korean Autonomous Government" would have already been established in Korea.

Ninth, during the presidencies of Syngman Rhee and Park Chung-hee, citizens who actively protested are now so satiated that they have become a nation of pigs and dogs with no thought about whether the country becomes like North Korea or a vassal state of China.

Protecting one's country is the responsibility of its citizens. I earnestly implore the people to protect the flame of patriotism ignited at Jamsil Stadium and to correct the nation that is going in reverse.

◆ Advisor Kim Tae-san

Advisor to the Hankook Ilbo, former representative of a North Korean trading company in the Czech Republic. In South Korea, he has worked as the deputy director of the North Korea Society Research Institute, providing in-depth insights and experience on inter-Korean relations and North Korean issues.