Citizens pouring into the streets, shouting for freedom. This evokes the memory of March 1, 1919. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

In 'The Declaration of Korean Independence,' Manhae Han Yong-un wrote:

"Freedom is the life of all things, and peace is the happiness of life. Therefore, a person without freedom is like a dead body, and one who has lost peace is suffering the greatest pain."

I reflect on his words. Why freedom? Because freedom is the most fundamental principle of existence inherent in all living beings.

"Give me liberty or give me death," did he say?

Without freedom, life feels like death, which is why humans risk their lives and resist unfreedom.

Why peace? This is an extension of the principle of freedom. Just as my freedom is precious, so is the freedom of others. Peace is only achieved and maintained when the freedom of others is respected. Only 'non-violence,' where no one oppresses another, can safeguard true peace.

Though I am not a legal scholar, I ponder. How beautiful is our Constitution? Behold.

All citizens shall enjoy freedom of person. (Article 12)

All citizens shall have freedom of residence and movement. (Article 14)

All citizens shall have the freedom to choose their occupation. (Article 15)

The inviolability of the home of any citizen shall not be infringed. (Article 16)

The privacy of correspondence of any citizen shall not be infringed. (Article 17)

The freedom of communication of any citizen shall not be infringed. (Article 18)

All citizens shall have freedom of conscience. (Article 19)

All citizens shall have freedom of religion. (Article 20)

How beautiful it is. Our Constitution declares that freedom is more precious than anything else.

Freedom under Article 21 is particularly important now.

"All citizens shall enjoy freedom of speech and the press, and freedom of assembly and association."

Article 22 is also important.

"All citizens shall have freedom of scholarship and the arts."

Therefore, citizens of the Republic of Korea are not fundamentally suppressed in their freedom to move their bodies, nor in all their words and actions that originate from their conscience. Power cannot arbitrarily infringe upon this.

However, it is reported that late at night, the National Referendum Act passed the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. It is said that those who question the Election Commission's fraudulent elections can be sentenced to imprisonment for up to 10 years.

What are they afraid of that they are trying to silence the people?

I think. What could possibly be so frightening? What are they so desperately pursuing? Are they afraid that their 'illicit methods' of fabricating false majorities will be exposed? Were the numerous evil laws, obtained at such breakneck speed, not enough?

Young people in this land who are willing to shave their heads and go on hunger strikes for freedom. [Photo = Instagram of Cha Kang-seok, Representative of Hwarangdan]

To those who act as the opposition,

Why do you stand by and watch such 'acts'? Is it because you lack numbers? Because it's useless?

Were you truly 'Enchufados,' people plugged into the system? Why do you divert the public's attention from fraudulent elections to the local election campaigns? Do you think a filibuster can hide your deceit?

To the 'judges' of the judiciary,

Have you forgotten the words of that formidable person who said he would give the court one last chance to admit its mistakes, who was willing to sacrifice himself to save this nation? Are you not afraid of his impartiality?

Should you not now gain freedom from the flawed system you have entangled yourselves in? Should you not rescue your last vestiges of conscience from the abyss and take responsibility for resolving the situation?

To my seniors and juniors,

You call yourselves intellectuals. You pride yourselves on being people who contemplate the path forward for the nation and its people. With such 'transparent' reason, you criticize, calling claims of fraudulent elections in this country mere fantasy and delusion.

You believe that freedom in this country is abundant. You assume the media is free, diligently reporting and conveying the truth through their free will. You deem major newspapers and broadcasters reliable, while considering YouTubers as spreading fake news about fraudulent elections and other such matters.

You fail to realize that true freedom of the press today can only be found in independent YouTubers or very small newspapers and broadcasters. You do not see the suffering of people in a nation without freedom. You turn a blind eye to unfreedom with all sorts of excuses.

Have you forgotten that those who are oppressed are closer to the truth? Have you forgotten your younger days? Have you forgotten that the youth are always right?

Can you deny the undeniable fact that those who have usurped power are creating fear through unjust laws to hide their own wrongdoings? Can you deny that today's amendment to the National Referendum Act will lead to an amendment of the Election Law tomorrow, becoming a 'weapon' for dictatorship and prolonged rule?

The freedom of awakened citizens cannot be suppressed

The mention of '10 years' in the National Referendum Act is a clear denial and challenge to the constitutional rights of the people.

"All citizens shall enjoy freedom of speech and the press, and freedom of assembly and association." So decreed! ⒸHanmi Ilbo

With both deep concern and, conversely, exciting anticipation, I consider: Will their objectives truly be achieved? Before the tide of truth engulfs them, can they muzzle the people?

Can they suppress the freedom of already awakened citizens, overthrow this nation's system, and reduce it to a nation without freedom?

Who will be faster in the end? Will it be the victory of oppression and violence, driven by their fear? Or the final triumph of those who seek to uncover the truth?

Their feet, which they think are firmly planted, will hurt. Blood will flow.

Oh, apostates of freedom and democracy. Galileo said the Earth still moves. And that was the truth.

◆ Professor Bang Min-ho

Doctor of Literature, Professor of Korean Language and Literature at Seoul National University. He is currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly literary magazine 'Maeck' (since 2022) and is active as a poet, novelist, and literary critic. His published works include 'Lover Simcheong' (2015), 'The Language of Pain' (2019), 'Re-examining Korean Criticism' (2021), and 'Seoul Literary Journeys' (2024).