Young people calling for liberal democracy at 'Ol-Gong' (Olympic Park). ⒸHanmi Ilbo 

A new history is being written at Jamsil Olympic Park.

These are young people in their 20s and 30s who commute between school and work during the week, yet stand on the streets all day on weekends, speaking with one voice. Their slogan is simple:

“Rerun the election due to fraud: same-day voting and manual counting.”

They possess no power. They have no organization. They hold no massive funds. Yet, they possess one thing: the conviction that if the election, the flower of democracy, collapses, then liberal democracy itself will crumble.

I believe that Jamsil Olympic Park will be recorded as a significant historical site in the modern history of the Republic of Korea. While democracy begins with voting, it is perfected through the sacrifices of citizens who strive to protect fair elections. In that sense, the young people gathered in Jamsil have demonstrated their resolve to physically safeguard the democracy they believe in.

What is most impressive is the core of this movement. It is not led by politicians. It is not led by famous YouTubers. It is the countless, nameless members of the 2030 generation. They have prioritized the fairness of elections over the success of any specific politician, and they have worried about the nation's future before their own personal interests.

It is not for money, nor for fame. What led them to the streets were justice and conscience. Thus, I consider them the true democratic force of the Republic of Korea.

The Bible records the words of Jesus as follows:

“All who came before me are thieves and robbers...” (John 10:8)

Of course, the original meaning of this passage is a spiritual lesson directed at the false shepherds who came before, claiming to be the Messiah. However, this verse comes to mind as I see liberal democracy in peril in Korea.

The previous 5.18 democratization faction that wore the mask of democracy was fake. No, they were not just thieves and robbers; they were spies and traitors. If they had been genuine, they would not have cruelly attacked the students of the Baejae High School baseball team after seizing power.

Those who did not appear in Jamsil, who once shouted that “martial law is an insurrection,” were also a fake interest group. Furthermore, the groups and individuals who held candlelight vigils while shouting for democracy were also fraudulent. The young people in Jamsil have exposed the true face of those previous fakes.

For a long time, there have been various political forces and civic groups in the Republic of Korea that claim to represent democratization. However, in my view, the young people in Jamsil have compelled us to re-examine the true nature of the numerous political movements that have been packaged under the label of "democratization."

This is because true democracy does not exist for a specific political faction; it begins with protecting "everyone's vote"—the suffrage of the people—in a country where the people are the masters.

These are forces centered not on politicians or YouTubers making political statements, but on a nameless majority of the 2030 generation; uncorrupted youth willing to risk themselves to protect the flower of democracy by purely calling for “fair elections and re-votes”; a movement that prioritizes justice and conscience over money or fame. They are the true successors to the student and citizen-led democratization movement that arose in response to election fraud on April 19, 1960.

Because of them, cracks are forming in the nearly completed dam of communism. Those cracks will widen, eventually causing it to collapse and allowing the river of justice and truth to cover the entire land. History will one day record that in 2026, nameless 2030s youth rose up at Jamsil Olympic Park and began to redefine the direction of South Korean democracy.

◆ Author Daniel Park

“This book was not written to attack any specific political party or figure. Rather than standing on the side of ideology, I chose to stand on the side of fact. Is this truly the President and National Assembly we elected?” - From the Author’s Preface