Dr. Ji Man-won speaking at the year-end gathering of the 5·18 Historical Society (Chairman Lee Yong-sik) on December 26th last year. / Photo by Reporter Huh Gyeom

Dr. Ji Man-won, who has endured various hardships after being inexplicably labeled a symbol of the "far-right" by leftists for researching and publishing on North Korea's involvement during the 5·18 Gwangju Uprising based on his scholarly conscience, has garnered attention by announcing his New Year's message, stating, "I predict that Lee Jae-myung will not be able to last more than three more months."

On December 31st, the day before the new year, Dr. Ji posted on social media (SNS), "Many of you will be interested in the 'Lee Jae-myung vs. Yoon Suk-yeol' frame, but I am interested in the 'psychological warfare through historical war' frame flowing beneath the surface," emphasizing, "In the new year, we will surely win."

Earlier, at the beginning of this post, he remarked, "Tomorrow will be 2026," and then quoted Vivien Leigh's monologue from the movie 'Gone with the Wind' upon recognizing despair: "'Tomorrow is another day,' and her sun held hope."

He added, "Time, on one hand, deceives us, but on the other hand, it gives us expectation and hope," expressing his anticipation, "Last year deceived us, but next year, it might whimsically give us a gift."

Dr. Ji stated, "If heaven gives me a gift, it will be a gift for all of you. What I yearn for is exactly what you are all yearning for," emphasizing, "I believe in heaven's justice. Heaven's justice is simply 'you reap what you sow'."

He continued, "I am always writing books and posting on the website 'System Club.' Just as a silkworm eats mulberry leaves, I am a silkworm that lives by consuming words," offering a concise review of his past life.

He then recalled, "Then, my golden years, from 60 to 83, were exploited by Gwangju. I have been financially exploited by Gwangju to the tune of 400 million won, and even while suffering physical pain, I comforted myself by saying I was happy."

He also stated, "Currently, I am engaged in five lawsuits with Gwangju, and all of them are the '5·18 War.' I advocate for 'history,' but Gwangju advocates for 'the honor of Gwangju'."

Dr. Ji's admonition can be understood as aligning with the pointed jokes that often appear in debates over the interpretation of modern Korean history, which are frequently likened to a "historical frame war." For instance, it echoes the sentiment that "some Gwangju citizens have stronger regional pride than patriotism."

Dr. Ji then reinforced his resolve, stating, "I have a religious conviction and logical certainty that I will surely win as I wage the Battle of Hwangsanbul in the Supreme Court."

Finally, he conveyed his well wishes, saying, "To our precious and esteemed members, I earnestly wish you infinite happiness and good health in the new year. I also sincerely wish to convey my belief that health and happiness reside solely in the mind."

The following is the full text of Dr. Ji Man-won's New Year's message.

Deceived by Time, Living by Time - Ji Man-won -

Time, on one hand, deceives us,

but on the other hand,

it gives us expectation and hope.

Tomorrow will be 2026.

Today marks 10 months and 15 days

since my release from Seoul Detention Center.

I recall the words of actress Vivien Leigh's

monologue in the movie ‘Gone with the Wind’

at the moment she realized despair:

 "Tomorrow is another day."

Her sun holds

hope. The sun also rises.”

Last year deceived us,

but next year, it might whimsically

give us a gift.

Since I was born in the Year of the Horse,

heaven will at least give a great gift to me, a Horse.

If heaven gives me a gift,

it will be a gift for all of you.

What I yearn for is exactly

what you are all yearning for.

I believe in heaven's justice.

Heaven's justice is simply "you reap what you sow."

Heaven does not give gifts

to the lazy.

Therefore, even while wallowing in despair,

I have continuously knocked on the doors of heaven

that betrayed me, never resting.

If they don't open door number one, I knock on door number two.

I never resent heaven.

I believe heaven is busy

turning the wheel of cause and effect relentlessly,

Cause and effect is heaven's promise

that it will punish the wicked and reward the good.

If many good people live in this land,

heaven will take our side.

If many people who are not good or are lukewarm live here,

heaven will hate us.

I have always appealed to heaven.

I asked that my efforts to correct history be reflected as intended.

I am always writing books

and posting on the website 'System Club'.

Just as a silkworm eats only mulberry leaves,

I am a silkworm that lives by consuming words.

There were kind people who opened the door to success for me, and

there were kind people who promised me wealth comparable to Chairman Lee Kun-hee, but

I have lived by creating art with letters alone.

Then,

I was exploited by Gwangju

during my golden years, from 60 to 83.

I have been financially exploited by Gwangju

to the tune of 400 million won, and

even while suffering physical pain,

I comforted myself by saying I was happy.

I flailed about.

"Flailing about" was like the very essence of my roller-coaster life.

Currently,

I am engaged in five lawsuits with Gwangju.

All of them are the '5·18 War'.

I advocate for 'history,'

but Gwangju advocates for 'the honor of Gwangju'.

I have a religious conviction

and logical certainty that I will surely win.

I am currently fighting

the Battle of Hwangsanbul in the Supreme Court.

I have written a book about this.

  "The End of the Sandcastle and the Torn Robes"  

Many of you

will be interested in the

"Lee Jae-myung vs. Yoon Suk-yeol" frame, but

I am interested in

the "psychological warfare through historical war" frame

flowing beneath the surface.

In the new year, we will surely win.

I do not suck up to people.

I only serve the nation.

I predict that Lee Jae-myung

will not be able to last more than three months.

To our precious and esteemed members,

I earnestly wish you infinite happiness

and good health in the new year.

I also sincerely wish to convey

my belief that health and happiness

reside solely in the mind.

Thank you very much for always staying by my side!

2025.12.31. Ji Man-won

Dr. Ji Man-won's books. There is a common saying that those who criticize the "far-right" Ji Man-won without reading his books end up blaming their own ignorance after reading them. / Captured from System Club / Inquiries: https://www.systemclub.co.kr