Guest Columnist. Korea Military Academy Class of '84As the 75th anniversary of the Incheon Landing Operation approaches, we must go beyond merely commemorating a past military victory and reflect on the lessons that event offers us today. In particular, the spirit of 'resistance and counterattack' from the Battle of Tabu-dong and the 'innovative decision' and 'creative breakthrough' of the Incheon Landing Operation provide wisdom for resolving the internal, civil war-like issues and the uncertain international climate we currently face.

In September 1950, the Republic of Korea was on the brink of defeat, engaged in a desperate final battle at the Nakdong River line. In this critical moment of crisis, our Korean War veterans, fighting at the Battle of Tabu-dong with no place left to retreat, adopted a 'fight to the death' stance. Their desperate resistance bought crucial time for the success of the Incheon Landing Operation.

1. The Success of the Incheon Landing Operation Stemmed from the Counterattack Spirit of the Battle of Tabu-dong

The Incheon Landing Operation, Marshal MacArthur's 'creative and innovative breakthrough,' was made possible by the 'tenacious holding and counterattack spirit' of Tabu-dong. The counterattack and sacrifice at Tabu-dong enabled the achievement of the creative objective of 'turning the tide of the war' through the Incheon Landing Operation. These two battles demonstrated the principles of war: 'objective,' 'concentration,' and 'creativity.' The spirit of resistance, counterattack, and breakthrough are inseparable, complementary strategies that can be applied to all fields requiring superior tactics over an adversary.

Today, the Republic of Korea faces threats in various forms. Beyond external physical invasion, we are threatened by internal fabrications of civil unrest, the undermining of the free system, distortion of history and public opinion, and destructive acts by the ruling powers against the nation. In the face of these crises, we must once again recall and revive the spirit of 'unyielding resistance and counterattack' of Tabu-dong and the spirit of 'creative breakthrough' of the Incheon Landing Operation.

2. Eradicating Election Irregularities with the 'Tabu-dong Counterattack Spirit'

In the early days of the Korean War, the fate of the Republic of Korea hung by a thread. Pushed by the enemy's unstoppable advance, supported by the Soviet Union and China, we retreated to the Nakdong River line, our last defensive front. In that desperate crisis, General Paik Sun-yup, the hero of the Battle of Tabu-dong, along with nameless student soldiers and veterans, fought at Tabu-dong, prepared to die. With a spirit of 'unyielding advance' that disallowed retreat, they blocked the enemy's offensive and laid the groundwork for a counterattack. This was not merely a victory in battle, but a triumph of resolute will to protect their parents and siblings, and to defend freedom and democracy.

To fully pass on the free system that the Korean War veterans defended with their lives to future generations, we must now be armed with the spirit of the Tabu-dong counterattack and eradicate election irregularities. To protect the foundation of democracy, it is only possible through tenacious monitoring of fraudulent elections, demands for transparency in the voting process, and persistent resistance for institutional improvement.

Election irregularities are a true civil war, allowing impostors to seize power and directly destroy the national system. Despite the fact that election irregularities have been exposed, the police and prosecution cannot investigate, and the courts cannot punish, creating a state of anarchy. Just as the heroes of Tabu-dong did not yield an inch, we must, with our own strength, clarify all suspicions surrounding fraudulent elections to protect the value of democracy. To quell this true civil war and protect our 'sovereignty,' we must devise strategies that outsmart the planners of fraudulent elections, and if we cannot 'reveal the servers,' we must switch to 'revealing the faces' and wage a desperate war.

The approximately 3,000 election commission employees also have eyes and ears, and are likely disturbed by the issue of election irregularities. By announcing that election commission employees who come forward with conscience declarations and reports will not be held accountable, we must use their help to identify the planners and ringleaders of fraudulent elections and bring them to justice. After investigation and punishment, the National Assembly should be dissolved, and a transparent election system should be established in a new National Assembly.

3. Defending the Free System with the 'Creative Breakthrough Spirit' of the Incheon Landing Operation

The Incheon Landing Operation was an impossible mission that all military experts opposed. General MacArthur's genius intuition and innovative decision-making turned natural constraints, such as tidal variations and narrow waterways, into weapons of surprise. This demonstrates how crucial it is to have the ability to creatively break through seemingly impossible battle situations, without being bound by past methods of success.

The 'Incheon Landing Operation' is a brilliant chapter in military history, having maneuvered into an unforeseen space and surprised the enemy. Just as the Incheon Landing Operation succeeded through unpredictable methods and creative breakthroughs, we can pass on an unshakeable free system to future generations by eradicating totalitarian groups that destroy universal human values of freedom for their own unchecked power, using a wise breakthrough spirit.

In the complex international order, we must make strategic and innovative decisions that are not bound by past practices of dependent diplomacy. While prioritizing national interests, we must break free from conventional thinking and equip ourselves with new war capabilities and combat systems that can independently defend against North Korea's threats.

The blood and sweat shed at Tabu-dong 75 years ago, and the strategic decision that shone in the waters off Incheon, are not merely records of the past. We must decisively eradicate the fraudulent elections that undermine the roots of democracy with the Tabu-dong counterattack spirit, and overcome the crisis of the free system with creative solutions that no one expected, just as the Incheon Landing Operation succeeded against all odds.

We must resolve the internal political contradictions where false entities suppress true patriots with the Tabu-dong counterattack spirit, creatively respond to external threats from North Korea and China, and find ways for the Republic of Korea to grow to a higher level with our own strength.