Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, conducted a filibuster for 24 hours from the 22nd to the 23rd, breaking the all-time record for the longest filibuster. [Photo=Yonhap News]

Shim Gyu-jin, Professor of Digital Media, IE University of SpainKing Taejong was an extremely suspicious person.

Therefore, he almost completely purged his close associates.

King Sejong also had to endure personal and political sacrifices to gain King Taejong's trust. King Sejong had to resist King Taejong's repeated provocations of "I will abdicate and step down as the retired king" until the very end, which led to three prostrations of apology.

Sejong was truly innocent. Nevertheless, he humbled himself before Taejong and pleaded for him to withdraw his decree to step down as the retired king.

This was, in fact, a trial that was close to a mere formality. By doing so, Sejong reaffirmed his loyalty to Taejong and completed the political ritual to no longer be an object of suspicion.

Despite this, Taejong did not trust Sejong 100%. Although he handed over the authority for the overall state affairs, he never let go of military power.

When Kang Seong-heon, his closest confidant, reported a military matter to Sejong without going through Taejong, Taejong was enraged and had him dismembered. In short, it was a case meant to serve as a warning.

Interpretations of this incident are still divided. Was such severe punishment necessary? It is unclear whether Kang Sang-in intentionally tried to bypass Taejong. However, what is clear is that he violated the protocols and procedures of power that Taejong had established.

Dr. Im Han-yong, an expert in military history, evaluates this incident as a potentially unavoidable choice. He explains that power is inherently ruthless, and once the cracks of control appear, a dam can collapse in an instant.

In this context, the recent filibuster (unlimited debate) by Representative Jang Dong-hyuk can be seen as a kind of trial, a modern-day prostration of apology aimed at restoring trust.

For 24 hours, he endured extreme hardship and stood at the forefront of the struggle against the ruling party, directly denouncing President Yoon Suk-yeol's so-called 'rebellion propaganda' and the danger of judicial takeover. In the process, he voluntarily took on the path of asceticism, enduring all the criticism directed at him.

Then, who is the King Taejong of today?

It is the supporters.

Today's politics is not a politics led from the top, but a politics that is lifted from below by the supporters.

And the supporters, like King Taejong, are ruthless rulers who are suspicious and seek to clearly distinguish allies from enemies.

This filibuster was an event where Jang Dong-hyuk, by enduring hardship himself, placed himself on the altar of the struggle against the ruling party, and furthermore, a struggle for the system. As a result, he regained the trust of the supporters and was selected.

A historical turning point. It would not be an exaggeration to call it that.

University Professor & Author