Shin Dong-chun, President of the National Union for Free Unification, Ph.D. in Public Administration

Truth is sometimes buried in darkness, but it eventually reveals its light. Fundamentals are the invisible pillars that support society. Truth and fundamentals have pierced through human history, shattering false beliefs and oppression, and opening new paths. However, when we ignore or distort them, we often fall into chaos and tragedy. From Galileo's heliocentrism to modern nuclear power debates, the power of truth and fundamentals constantly tests us.

Galileo challenged the authority of the medieval church by asserting that the Earth revolved around the Sun. His heliocentric theory shook the common sense of the time but was eventually accepted as scientific truth. Columbus pioneered a new sea route across the Atlantic, turning the "impossible" into the possible. On the other hand, the medieval church's witch hunts were brutal oppressions based on superstition and fear. Blind faith, not truth, sickened society. The Dreyfus Affair also showed how prejudice and the misuse of power can destroy the innocent. This event became a symbol of the struggle to restore justice and fairness, that is, fundamental values.

In the 20th century, the Munich Agreement and the Budapest Memorandum were fabrications that ignored truth in the name of peace. The Munich Agreement attempted to appease Hitler's ambitions but ultimately failed to prevent war. The Budapest Memorandum led Ukraine to give up its nuclear weapons, but the Russian invasion broke that promise. South Korea's Sunshine Policy was similar. It aimed for peace and reconciliation, but North Korea's nuclear development and provocations did not stop. These examples show how weak policies that chase ideals without facing the truth are.

Even today, truth and fundamentals are challenged. The mad cow disease scare was an example of how fear without scientific basis shook society. The THAAD radar controversy and the Fukushima contaminated water issue were also cases where exaggerated fears and misinformation obscured the truth. Despite the scientific evidence of the safety and efficiency of nuclear power plants, emotional opposition distorts policy. This shows how great a price society pays when common sense and scientific truth are ignored.

By fundamentals, we mean the values that have been considered universal throughout world history and the values established by the founding fathers of the Republic of Korea in our Constitution: liberal democracy, market economy, rule of law, fairness, morality, separation of powers, small government, and basic human rights. These are the foundations that stabilize society and guarantee individual freedom. Liberal democracy respects individual rights and responsibilities, and the market economy leads to prosperity through creativity and competition. Separation of powers prevents the concentration of power, and a small government reduces bureaucratic inefficiency. Fairness and morality maintain social trust, and basic human rights are at the core of human dignity. If these fundamentals are shaken, society will inevitably fall into chaos and collapse.

Truth and fundamentals support each other. Fundamentals without truth are empty, and truth without fundamentals is powerless. What Galileo's courage, Dreyfus's justice, and scientific common sense have taught us is clear. We must pursue truth and uphold the fundamentals of freedom and fairness. The media must pursue truth without falsehood for society and the nation to move in the right direction. Only then can we overcome fiction and chaos and open a better future. The power of truth and fundamentals is simple but strong. It changes history and leads us to a better path.

Shin Dong-chun (President of the National Union for Free Unification, Ph.D. in Public Administration)