Park Tae-geun (38), head of BOSS. [Photo = Reporter Lim Yo-hee]

Even in the biting cold below zero, BOSS was on the asphalt.

We met Park Tae-geun (38), head of BOSS, referred to as the 'boss of bosses,' at a rally site near Hongik University, known as the street of youth, on the 27th. In response to the reporter's comment about the cold, Representative Park said, "The reality of South Korea, which doesn't know where it's heading, is more difficult than the cold."

BOSS, along with Liberty University (Representative Park Jun-young), is a youth organization representing patriotic conservatives. Representative Park Tae-geun founded BOSS at the end of May.

Comprised mainly of office workers in their 30s, nicknamed 'Liberty Night University'

"Initially, it was more of a gathering name than a formal organization. When I participated in various rallies during the impeachment period at the beginning of the year, I started communicating with youth communities. Rallies that used to focus on Gwanghwamun were expanding to Gyodae and Hannam-dong during the impeachment period."

BOSS, along with Liberty University, is a youth organization representing patriotic conservatives. On the far right is Representative Park Tae-geun. [Photo = Reporter Lim Yo-hee]

At the 'BOSS' National Enlightenment March commemorating the first anniversary of the December 3rd martial law. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

However, despite their earnest cries against the impeachment, President Yoon Suk-yeol was eventually impeached on April 4th. The patriotic conservatives of this land had their knees buckled that day.

Representative Park stated, "The sense of futility that day was beyond words," adding, "But three days after the impeachment, seeing Liberty University start the 'Yoon Again' march, I thought, 'It's not over yet!' and decided to participate in the Hongdae rally."

At that rally, Shim Jae-hong, then Senior Deputy Spokesperson for Liberty University, said, "We need to move from passive rallies to active ones. Let's hold rallies in our respective regions." Representative Park agreed and made Hongdae the main venue for BOSS's activities. Recently, they have also been holding rallies in Yeongdeungpo on weekdays.

While 'Liberty University' is primarily composed of young adults in their early twenties, BOSS is mainly comprised of men and women in their 30s and 40s. Hence, its nickname is 'Liberty Night University.'

The support BOSS receives is fervent. Regarding this, Representative Park replied, "We are very grateful. Many people seem to appreciate that we are proactively voicing our opinions without being swayed by money or political organizations in a situation where they feel a sense of crisis politically and socially."

Most are office workers, operating on membership fees without relying on donations

In the early stages of its founding, activities were funded by members' voluntary contributions. This was possible because most BOSS members are office workers. Representative Park himself is currently employed in production.

His guiding principle is, "(If you) don't have money, you can hold (rallies) with what you have." Nowadays, they have started receiving some donations following the 6-hour march commemorating the first anniversary of the martial law on December 3rd.

"Since we raise funds voluntarily, our equipment is not high-end. However, we generate strong engagement at the scene by creating witty picket slogans. What defines us is achieving things one by one through the combined efforts of colleagues and supporters, without external interference."

BOSS creates picket slogans and banners that are sometimes witty and sometimes unconventional, capturing the attention of passersby. The main themes of the pickets include 'Defend the National Security Act,' 'The Justification of Martial Law,' and 'Criticism of Diplomacy Related to China.'

Picket slogans used by BOSS at rally sites. [Source = BOSS]

BOSS's target audience is the politically apathetic. Their 'modest' goal is to get them interested in politics by encouraging them to search online and listen to YouTube through rallies.

The goal is to elicit a single click from the politically apathetic

"The most important thing is to break the frame. This is not a left-right confrontation. It's a matter of Korean survival. In reality, South Korea is a pro-China country. The government and media are continuously promoting pro-China policies while producing anti-Japan and anti-US frames."

A rally will be held in Gimpo on December 31st, the last day of the year. [Poster = BOSS]

In Korea, anti-Japanese sentiment is so high that even the 'Midang Literary Award,' the highest honor, has been abolished. On the other hand, they are lenient about the increasing encroachment of Chinese culture and industry. Representative Park states that this is a result of losing the frame war.

"We are in an era of frame wars. What has been the result of the long-standing anti-Japan frame? The media led the charge in calling the treated water from Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, which the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concluded to be safe, 'contaminated water,' causing damage to Korean fisheries. Aren't the nuclear wastewater from China and North Korea actually polluting the waters around the Korean Peninsula?"

BOSS is also raising its voice against the Democratic Party's proposal to abolish the National Security Act.

"What is the reason for advocating the abolition of the National Security Act, which was amended not long ago? The problem is that those who seek to remove the shield protecting the Republic of Korea are continuously creating frames that benefit the enemy."

The fact that BOSS uses Hongdae as its activity base is likely due to the particularly high influx of Chinese people, given its characteristic as a transfer station for the Airport Railroad.

Breaking the rigid frame and moving forward

"Although the effects may not be immediate, I hope that many people will gain courage and participate with BOSS. This is not a fight that will end in a day or two. Their frames are that solid. Suppressing the voices of young people is also part of their frame. We aim for at least a 20-year movement."

Rallies led by BOSS this weekend in early January. [Poster = BOSS]

Finally, Representative Park emphasized, "If the pro-North Korean student activists of the 1980s were fake activists who moved according to directives, then the current patriotic youth movement, which began with voluntary motivation, is the true democratization movement, and we are the real activists."

Hongdae, famous for its youth, art, and excitement. BOSS is turning Hongdae, a street filled with buskers, graffiti, restaurants, clothing stores, and cafes, into a street of patriotism. With BOSS, the shield protecting Korea, our future is bright.

Schedules for patriotic conservative rallies, including BOSS, are being uploaded in real-time on the Kukmin Universe (kukmin.libertysocial.co.kr) website.

Support BOSS: 33333-560-86-763 (Kakao Bank · Park Tae-geun)

Reporter Lim Yo-hee