Kim Eun-gu, representative of Seoul National University’s Truth Forum. [Kim Eun-gu Facebook]

On the 11th, Kim Eun-gu, representative of Seoul National University’s Truth Forum, posted his dawn reflections on his 13th day of fasting, mentioning Hwang Kyo-ahn, head of Liberty and Innovation, People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyeok, former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, and former Supreme Court Justice Lee Yong-woo.

Representative Kim noted that if the cries of "election fraud, redo the election, hand-count on election day" at the Olympic Park are ignored, it is impossible to know what might happen in the future. He stated that his reasons for fasting were to urge the awakening of the Korean Church and to call for fundamental reform of the electoral system. 

Representative Kim also shared, "I am truly grateful that Representative Jang Dong-hyeok has demonstrated a strong will for election reform, and I am thankful that his direction aligns with my own thoughts." 

Furthermore, Representative Kim shared a request to former Justice Lee Yong-woo and former Chairman Choi Jae-hyung: "Even if you do not believe there was election fraud, so many citizens—especially so many young people—say they cannot trust the elections. If you were to state that it is necessary to abolish early voting to dispel this distrust, conduct hand-counting on the day of the election, and hold nationwide re-elections, it would be a great source of strength to the young people gathered at Olympic Park."

The following is Representative Kim Eun-gu's open letter.

It is 3:30 AM, and the slogans "Election fraud, redo the election, hand-count on election day" are still ringing loudly near the 1-3 area. This is a cry that has continued for the past month, including the dawn of a few days ago when it was raining. If this is ignored, I do not know what will happen in the future. 

Someone recently offered a sharp, incisive interpretation, likening the situation to the Supreme Court ruling on the May 18th Democratization Movement, stating that the young people at Olympic Park and the citizens are the constitutional institutions gathered to exercise their sovereignty, and that the forces attempting to undermine this are insurrectionist forces disturbing the constitutional order. It is a very gratifying interpretation.

There are many things I want to share, but because this is an open space, it is a bit difficult to focus on writing, and I feel my strength waning from time to time. That is why my writing is delayed. Still, I recover after a good sleep. That is why I really appreciate the dawn hours. And I am also happy to see that the thick fat around my waist has disappeared significantly.

The reason I am fasting this time is to 'urge the awakening of the Korean Church' and to 'call for fundamental reform of the electoral system.' Honestly, I have a lot to say about the awakening of the Korean Church. However, I will deal with that next time, and since there were meaningful events regarding my second prayer topic, I would like to share them.

Election Reform and Representative Jang Dong-hyeok

Although my fast is not widely known to the public, I am grateful that it seems to be known to some extent within the political circles of the People Power Party. In particular, Representative Jang Dong-hyeok showed personal interest and visited me without an appointment the night before last to discuss measures for election reform. 

The visit of PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok. [Kim Eun-gu Facebook]

I am grateful that Representative Jang Dong-hyeok showed a strong will for election reform, and I was truly thankful that his direction was no different from my own thoughts. I was also grateful that he expressed this will at the Supreme Council meeting yesterday.

This is an opportunity to abolish the excessive power of the National Election Commission (NEC), which essentially holds the life of National Assembly members in its hands through investigative and accusation rights based on election law and political fund law. They must be made to focus only on their original duty of election management. 

Since the ballots currently at Olympic Park show signs of contamination, a people-led special investigation by the opposition party should take precedence, and any recounts should happen only after that. Furthermore, we must realize the abolition of early voting, hand-counting on the day of the election at polling stations, and nationwide re-elections, all of which everyone can trust.

I sincerely thank Representative Jang, the leader of the main opposition party, for sharing these thoughts and showing a strong will regarding this matter. I earnestly hope that Representative Jang will realize the will of the people at Olympic Park until the very end. If Representative Jang has solidified his will to fight through my fasting, that alone is something I am truly grateful for.

To Those Who Have Denied Election Fraud

Chairman Choi Jae-hyung visited yesterday. He is someone I greatly respect as a Christian, but his political moves have been disappointing in many ways. In particular, his position regarding the election fraud issue was very regrettable. This is because, if approached from the perspective of the people's right to verify, one should not turn a blind eye to the arguments of those raising suspicions of election fraud. 

However, judges and legal professionals like Chairman Choi tend to have difficulty accepting that there could be fraud in an election they managed themselves, as they have served as election commissioners or chairmen.

Former Supreme Court Justice Lee Yong-woo, a senior from Seoul National University Law School whom I respect, has also taken that position. So, when I met him recently, I made this request:

"I am not saying that I personally believe there was election fraud. However, many citizens, especially so many young people, say they cannot trust the elections, so a fundamental reform of the electoral system is necessary. To dispel the distrust in elections, we need to abolish early voting, conduct hand-counting on the day of the election, and hold nationwide re-elections. If you were to say this, it would be a great source of strength to the young people gathered at Olympic Park." I pleaded with him earnestly. 

I also conveyed the same request to Chairman Choi. I was grateful that Chairman Choi also shared similar thoughts on the overall framework of reforming the NEC and the electoral system. We concluded our meeting with a prayer.

The visit of former Supreme Court Justice Lee Yong-woo. [Kim Eun-gu Facebook]

Even those who have been denying election fraud must now speak with one voice regarding the reform of the electoral system. Elections belong to the public, and the people's right to verify is derived from the public nature of elections. An election without the guarantee of the people's right to verify is unconstitutional. This is the essence of the 2009 ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany (2 BvC 3/07, 2 BvC 4/07). 

In South Korean elections, the people's right to verify has never been guaranteed. There has only been the unilateral management by the corrupt NEC, the supreme power institution and "family company" of South Korea, which even holds the life of National Assembly members in its hands. I ask you all to speak with one voice so that the people's trust in elections can be fully restored through the abolition of early voting, on-site hand-counting on the day of the election, and nationwide re-elections.

Hoping for Unity at Olympic Park

Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn comes here almost every morning to encourage the people here. He has also frequently stopped by my tent to support me. Representative Jang Dong-hyeok mainly stops by during the nighttime hours to encourage people. I am told he visited a few times even when I was asleep due to exhaustion.

Representative Jeon Han-gil, a comrade in patriotism and faith, catches quick naps every day and says he stays during the dawn hours because there are few people and he feels sorry for those who are here alone, so he wants to keep them company. I advised him to get some sleep.

A few days ago, Representative Kim Sang-hyun came for an interview, and I advised him that it might be good to soften his tone and deliver his criticism with love. He laughed and said that Representative Hwang also tells him the same thing.

Although there are slight differences in opinion within Olympic Park, I hope we all take pride in being one people—a constitutional institution—that is writing a new chapter in South Korea's history. I believe that this beautiful wave will become a new, massive flow like a mighty river that cannot be turned back, fundamentally restoring the Republic of Korea.

Furthermore, I earnestly hope that this wave of restoration will become a wave of freedom that crosses the Military Demarcation Line to liberate North Korea. This is my prayer, and it is a desperate wish I am willing to sacrifice my own life to fulfill.

Today is the 13th day. Many people are worried about my health. There have been affectionate suggestions that I get an IV drip, but I declined because I do not believe the situation calls for it. Fasting for a few days is not a big deal. There are those who fast for 40 days, and there are countless souls in North Korea who have already starved to death. 

Unless we face the evil regime that is the root of all lies in South Korea and uses even food as a means to control its residents, the division and chaos in South Korea will continue. Through this fast, I hope we can once again engrave the mission of the Republic of Korea that we have forgotten. I end this post by sharing the words of President Park Chung-hee.

"Some call the Republic of Korea a bulwark of freedom. But I cannot accept this analogy. How could we be a mere existence that must stay still while being battered by waves? We are advancing. We are, in fact, the wave of freedom. I am certain that this wave of freedom will sweep up to Pyongyang before long." - Feb 15, 1966, President Park Chung-hee during a speech at a dinner hosted by President Chiang Kai-shek during a visit to Taiwan.

◆ Representative Kim Eun-gu

Representative of Truth Forum. Truth Forum is a youth-centered conservative organization and research group that began at Seoul National University. Founded by Kim Eun-gu, a graduate of Seoul National University Law School, based on a Christian worldview and biblical values, the forum engages in activities that affirm the history of South Korea's founding and development from a conservative perspective.