An op-ed by Annie Chan, founder of KCPAC, was published in the American conservative daily The Washington Times on the 22nd (local time). / Photo courtesy of KCPAC. 

An op-ed by Annie MH Chan (Korean name Kim Myung-hye), honorary chairman and founder of the Korea Conservative Political Action Conference (KCPAC), was published as an advertisement in the form of an op-ed in the American conservative daily 'The Washington Times' on the 22nd (local time), addressed to U.S. President Donald Trump. 

The op-ed by the founder of KCPAC, an official partner of the American Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), is drawing attention for its potential impact on U.S. responses, as it prompts reconsideration of how key figures in the American conservative camp perceive the current situation in South Korea. 

In this letter, Honorary Chairman Chan's opinion was presented in a format that answered President Trump's question posted on Truth Social in August, prior to bilateral working-level talks between South Korea and the U.S.: "What is going on in South Korea? A purge? A revolution?" This has attracted significant attention. 

He stated, "What is happening in Korea today is not a mere domestic political crisis, but a fundamental clash between two civilizational forces. One is the centripetal force of ancient totalitarianism, rooted in the Qin Dynasty of China, and the other is the centrifugal force of liberal civilization, born from the hands of refugees who fled totalitarian order in search of freedom." 

He continued, "The Republic of Korea, founded with the support of the United Nations and rooted in the order of liberal democracy, embodies a conviction: that human dignity, not centralized control, is the true foundation of development. The APEC Summit in Gyeongju is more than just an economic conference. It symbolizes a civilizational crossroads," he diagnosed. 

He further emphasized, "China, inheriting the centralized order of the Qin Dynasty, is now projecting digital authoritarianism beyond its borders. While the United States is experiencing internal conflicts, it still represents the liberal tradition of law and individual dignity. Korea, both geopolitically and historically, stands at the forefront and serves as a connecting bridge between these two forces." 

The Washington Times, October 22nd. Honorary Chairman Chan stated, "The challenge facing the Republic of Korea today is clear: it is the need to choose once again which side of history it will stand on. The political conflict in Korea is not merely about corruption or partisan confrontation, but about the very essence of the Republic itself. That is, whether Korea will remain a liberal democracy or drift back into the gravitational pull of ancient totalitarianism." 

He reiterated, "As history shows, time is on the side of freedom. The centripetal force of authoritarian control can subdue, but it can never inspire. It can silence, but it can never create. From the spiritual idealism of Silla to the founding of modern democratic nations, Korea's story testifies to the resilient recovery of those who chose freedom over the subjugation of slaves." 

He concluded, "World leaders are now gathering in Gyeongju, an ancient capital where refugees once built a new civilization. Korea stands at a historical turning point once again. Whether Korea will lead the free order forward or succumb to the influence of tyranny depends on its courage to remember its origins." 

He then expressed indirect expectations for the Trump administration, stating, "Ultimately, the Republic of Korea, the vanguard of liberal civilization born with UN support, must stand on the side of freedom, and it will surely do so. Mr. President, we share your belief that American leadership is essential in defending this freedom. The outcome of the struggle Korea is currently undergoing will determine the balance of freedom and tyranny across the Indo-Pacific region for generations to come." 

Earlier, in the beginning of her letter, Honorary Chairman Annie Chan expressed confidence in the Trump administration by stating, "I express my deepest respect and gratitude to you, Mr. President, for your unwavering leadership around the world in defending faith, freedom, and national sovereignty." 

KCPAC (Korea Conservative Political Action Conference) is a growing non-profit organization led by Korean patriots, scholars, pastors, and civic leaders who share the mission of CPAC in the United States. Its mission is to defend freedom and expose the encroaching authoritarianism worldwide. It is recognized for closely cooperating with its American partners to steadfastly uphold the principles that bind the two nations: truth, freedom, and the rule of law. 

Since its inception with its first event in Seoul in 2019, KCPAC has been at the forefront of conservative values for six years. The American 'Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)', the root and official partner of KCPAC, is indisputably the largest private conservative organization in the United States. 

CPAC is a historic private organization that began during President Ronald Reagan's administration and has now established itself as a firm symbol of American conservatism. Politically, CPAC supports the Republican Party and is highly regarded for its strong endorsement of President Trump, playing a significant role in his second presidential election victory. 

Notably, Matt Schlapp, the current chairman of CPAC, and his wife, Mercedes Schlapp, recognized the fraudulent election practices through mail-in ballots in the 2020 U.S. presidential election and have been actively involved in preventing electoral fraud in recent elections. 

KCPAC has recently undergone organizational restructuring. While based in Korea, it operates KCPAC USA to expand its lobbying power and outreach in the United States, where its founder is located. 

The Chairman of KCPAC USA is Moss Tan, former Ambassador to the International Criminal Court, and Grant Newsham, a retired Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps who served as an observer for the June 3rd presidential election, heads KCPAC USA as its U.S. Representative. 

Min Kyung-wook, former member of the National Assembly for the Future United Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party), recently became the 'Korea Representative' for KCPAC. 

Min Kyung-wook, former lawmaker and standing representative of the 4.15 Election Fraud National Struggle Headquarters, emphasized at a recent invited lecture hosted by News and Post (NNP) in Atlanta, Georgia, "While election fraud issues are often dismissed as 'conspiracy theories' and ignored, KCPAC is one of the few organizations directly confronting these cowardly perspectives." 

He further stated, "Seen in a broader context, KCPAC is not just fighting election fraud, but fighting for the truth. We are determined to accurately inform mainstream American politicians about the election fraud issue, which is at the core of Korea's current political crisis, and to simultaneously wage a battle in both the U.S. and Korea to overcome the present crisis of Korea falling into communism or becoming a pro-China nation." 

An Open Letter to President Donald J. Trump 

"What is Going on in South Korea?" 

— An Answer Ahead of the Gyeongju APEC Summit — 

Dear President Trump, 

On August 25, 2025, you welcomed President Lee Jae-myung to the White House and pledged reciprocal exchange at the governmental level between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America. 

In response to your question posted on Truth Social shortly before that meeting, "What is going on in South Korea?", we wish to provide an answer as a genuine and honest conservative voice representing the Korean people. 

With profound respect and gratitude for your unwavering leadership around the world in defending faith, freedom, and national sovereignty, we publicly deliver this letter on behalf of the Korea Conservative Political Action Conference (KCPAC), the official Korean partner of the American Conservative Union (ACU). 

KCPAC is a growing non-profit organization led by Korean patriots, scholars, pastors, and civic leaders who share CPAC's mission. Our mission is to defend freedom and expose the encroaching authoritarianism worldwide. We work closely with our American partners to steadfastly uphold the principles that bind the Republic of Korea and the United States of America: truth, freedom, and the rule of law. 

"What is Going on in South Korea?" 

This was your question preceding the South Korea-U.S. summit in August. "What is going on in South Korea? A purge? A revolution?" 

This question accurately captured the curiosity and concern felt across the globe amidst the impeachment of another conservative South Korean president, followed by rapid political upheaval. 

From the perspective of those deeply familiar with the situation in Korea, it is evident that what is happening in Korea today is not a mere domestic political crisis. It is, in fact, a fundamental clash between two civilizational forces. 

One is the centripetal force of ancient totalitarianism, rooted in the Qin Dynasty of China. The other is the centrifugal force of liberal civilization, born from the hands of refugees who fled that very totalitarian order in search of freedom. 

Today, Korea's turmoil can be seen as the latest arena where this 2,000-year-long civilizational struggle is being re-enacted. 

From the Qin Dynasty to Gyeongju 

Early Korean historical records suggest that refugees fleeing the totalitarian unification of the Qin Dynasty established Silla in Gyeongju, an ancient 'city of light.' Silla's founding ideology was not subservience to an emperor, but the harmony between heaven and man within a moral order. 

This became the seed of Korean identity—a civilization built not on conquest, but on conscience. 

That legacy was reawakened in the modern rebirth of the Republic of Korea. Founded with the support of the United Nations and rooted in the order of liberal democracy, the Republic of Korea embodies a conviction: that human dignity, not centralized control, is the true foundation of development. 

The Gyeongju Summit: A Crossroads of Civilizations 

Therefore, the Gyeongju Summit is more than just an economic conference. It symbolizes a civilizational crossroads. 

China, inheriting the centralized order of the Qin Dynasty, is now projecting digital authoritarianism beyond its borders. While the United States is experiencing internal conflicts, it still represents the liberal tradition of law and individual dignity. Korea, both geopolitically and historically, stands at the forefront and serves as a connecting bridge between these two forces. 

The challenge facing the Republic of Korea today is clear: it is the need to choose once again which side of history it will stand on. The political conflict in Korea is not merely about corruption or partisan confrontation, but about the very essence of the Republic itself. That is, whether Korea will remain a liberal democracy or drift back into the gravitational pull of ancient totalitarianism. 

A Time for Decision 

As history shows, time is on the side of freedom. 

The centripetal force of authoritarian control can subdue, but it can never inspire. It can silence, but it can never create. 

From the spiritual idealism of Silla to the founding of modern democratic nations, Korea's story testifies to the resilient recovery of those who chose freedom over the subjugation of slaves. 

World leaders are now gathering in Gyeongju, an ancient capital where refugees once built a new civilization. Korea stands at a historical turning point once again. Whether Korea will lead the free order forward or succumb to the influence of tyranny depends on its courage to remember its origins. 

Ultimately, the Republic of Korea, the vanguard of liberal civilization born with UN support, must stand on the side of freedom, and it will surely do so. 

Mr. President, we share your belief that American leadership is essential in defending this freedom. The outcome of the struggle Korea is currently undergoing will determine the balance of freedom and tyranny across the Indo-Pacific region for generations to come. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Annie MH Chan 

Honorary Chairman and Founder, Korea Conservative Political Action Conference (KCPAC).

☞Link to the Washington Times Op-Ed: https://www.washingtontimes.com/sponsored/open-letter-president-donald-j-trump/