Professor Shim Kyu-jin of IE University, Spain

I heard unbelievable news right at the start of the new year.

It's about the plan to make the standing chairman of the Korean Teachers' Union a suspect and refer him to the prosecution as part of the effort to 'sanctify' the May 18th Democratic Uprising. Is this even possible?

The content in question is none other than the description related to the May 18th Uprising included in South Korea's social studies textbooks. The very idea of making someone a criminal based on the content of a state-approved textbook is already beyond the realm of normal rule of law.

The problematic expression was neither extreme criticism nor definitive denial. It was an extremely cautious and academic statement, quoting content from a state-approved social studies textbook, suggesting that the evaluation of the May 18th Uprising could be subject to future historical review and re-evaluation.

How can a statement that says, "Let's leave room for other possibilities," which is neither a confirmation nor incitement, become grounds for criminal punishment?

Has South Korea now become a society where even △criticism is not allowed, △definitive statements are not allowed, △and even cautious questioning is defined as 'false information'?

Does it mean that now, speaking differently about the May 18th Uprising, or even mentioning uncomfortable facts, automatically becomes false information and is subject to punishment under a special law?

What's even more baffling is that people who normally cry out for 'freedom of expression' remain silent on this issue or even take up arms.

Those who defended even the Rodong Sinmun as freedom of expression, those who saw no problem with broadcasting Kim Jong-un and Kim Ju-ae's visits and activities as main news for regime propaganda, why do they insist on allowing only one interpretation and one narrative regarding the May 18th Uprising?

This is not a problem of democracy. It is a problem of the monopolization of power surrounding history and the control of freedom of thought. Even if legal action is taken, the playing field is already severely tilted.

Nevertheless, I cannot help but ask. Is history no longer a subject of debate in this country? Is education no longer an area of freedom of thought? Is a society where even quoting a textbook becomes a crime truly a 'fruit of democratization'?

We must remember that this silence and inaction will someday come back to haunt us all.

◆ Professor Shim Kyu-jin

Assistant Professor at the Department of Digital Media, IE University, Spain. He previously served as a policy advisor for the Ministry of National Defense and as the head of the Data Lab at the Yeouido Institute. He also worked as a full-time professor at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and as an assistant professor at Singapore Management University. His books include 'K-Drama Yoon Suk-yeol' and 'Hyper Gender'.