Gwanghwamun rally by conservative groups. Yonhap News. 

Advisor of Hanmi Ilbo, Former Representative of North Korean Trading Company in the Czech Republic It has been 10 years since the Taegeukgi (South Korean flag) protests, which began with only a few hundred people, began to occupy Gwanghwamun Square. Starting as a protest against the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, the Taegeukgi protests are the longest-running public demonstration of their kind in the world.

Furthermore, the Taegeukgi protests will be remembered forever as the world's only demonstration by the elderly. In the history of any nation, have there been elderly people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s who have fought against anti-liberal democratic forces for over a decade, braving both extreme cold and heat?

The leftists, backed by North Korea and China, even brought in foreigners and paid them to hold "part-time job" candlelit protests, while the elderly Taegeukgi protesters paid out of their own pockets to demonstrate patriotism.

Despite fighting for a long and regrettable 10 years, the Taegeukgi protests failed to protect two presidents or any conservative government. They also failed to rectify the fraudulent election. The Taegeukgi protests are thus stuck in a repetitive struggle with an uncertain future.

Of course, as someone who cannot frequently participate in the Taegeukgi protests, I have no right to say anything. However, as a citizen concerned about the nation's survival, I am writing down my thoughts.

First, the Taegeukgi protests, as I have observed them, are too lonely. Of course, some may say, "Tens of thousands of people gather, and even large broadcasting equipment is mobilized; what could be lonely about that?" I ask those people to answer my question: The Taegeukgi protests are clearly a patriotic struggle to protect the nation, so why are only a very small number of elderly people mobilized?

In South Korea, there are still far more citizens who support liberal democracy than traitors, so why do only a minuscule few come forward for the struggle to protect the nation? If we do not correct the nation now, Korea will undoubtedly be ravaged by North Korea and China.

Certainly, South Korea and its land may continue to exist thanks to the presence of the US military, but it is as clear as day that North Korean and Chinese spies and their cronies will freely tear apart the people within that land and divide the territory. And there is no guarantee that the US military will remain forever.

Look at how the police currently turn a blind eye to the unruly behavior of Chinese people. In broad daylight, individuals in Chinese military uniforms march through Hangang Park singing the Chinese national anthem and demonstrate, shouting, "Korean far-right, get out." Yet, Lee Jae-myung is creating laws to imprison Koreans who criticize China and is oppressing his own people.

Anyone who does not know that Korea is already almost ruined is truly foolish. Despite this, there are far too many people who act as if they are great dignitaries, remaining aloof and having never participated in the Taegeukgi protests.

These people have no conscience and are unfit to be citizens. They are individuals who wish to enjoy peace and happiness for free on land protected by the efforts of others. Because of these "dignified" citizens who consider the struggle to protect the nation as something only a few "lowly" people do, the Taegeukgi protests have been lonely and thus unsuccessful.

Secondly, the Taegeukgi protests by patriots are lonely and less effective due to the individuals who only find fault from behind the scenes without ever attending.

There are too many people around us who only talk about patriotism. These people only find fault with the Taegeukgi protests from the sidelines. "Even 100 years of Taegeukgi protests like this are useless." "Protests without violence are unnecessary." "Jeon Kwang-hoon has many flaws." Those who only find fault are truly bad people.

Everyone knows that violent struggle is effective. However, when the leftists have tied up the hands and feet of patriots and imprisoned all patriotic leaders, who will incite the public to engage in violent struggle? And who will risk their own lives to engage in violent struggle? It is only those who demand others fight while they themselves do not.

Those who only patriotize with their mouths hope that others will fight and bleed. Furthermore, the "masters" sit idly by, hoping the United States will help them for free. Koreans who only desire freebies cannot even compare to the people of Hong Kong or Nepal.

Then, are the Taegeukgi protests truly a hopeless struggle? I believe they can absolutely succeed. There is only one path: the entire nation must awaken and rise up. If not even 0.2% of the population, meaning 100,000 people, participate in the current Taegeukgi protests, who will be afraid, and what can be changed? 

Think about it. If out of 100 people, 99 remain seated and only talk, while only 1%, just one person, tries to do something, what will happen? If even 2% of the population, meaning 1 million people, rise up simultaneously across the nation, heaven and earth will likely shake, and heaven will help.

Keep in mind that only by rising up now can we protect the Republic of Korea. Unless the masters of this country make an effort, neither the United States nor God will help Korea. 

Advisor of Hanmi Ilbo, Former Representative of North Korean Trading Company in the Czech Republic