"Government control is shaking the foundation of the economy, extending beyond culture and daily life." [Kim Kyu-na's Facebook]

Author Kim Kyu-na sharply criticized the government's attitude of treating citizens like toddlers in the 302nd installment of 'A World Like a Novel,' currently serialized on her Facebook.

“Reduce shower time, charge your phone during the day, use the washing machine and vacuum cleaner on weekends.”

Regarding the government's '12 Guidelines for National Energy Saving Actions,' Kim stated, "The government is trying to interfere with even the most trivial daily habits of the people," comparing it to "rules for 'well-behaved children' found in kindergartens or elementary school newsletters."

She further commented that "the government is recommending guidelines that are detached from reality under the grand and moral justification of energy conservation," questioning whether people don't typically use their mobile phones during the day and charge them at night while sleeping.

Kim firmly asserted, "How long one showers or when one cleans is a matter of freedom for which individuals pay and enjoy," adding, "While it is said to be a consequence of the war in Iran, such ridiculous guidelines could not be issued in the name of the state unless the people were viewed as toddlers incapable of independent judgment."

Moreover, she criticized that this "overly solicitous" control, disguised as control, reached its peak at the BTS concert held in Gwanghwamun last weekend, stating, "Behind the glittering figures of 18.4 million people worldwide watching through Netflix, there was control akin to a massive 'fish farm.'"

BTS concert in Gwanghwamun. [Photo: Yonhap News]

"High fences were erected around Sejong-daero, and the city center was sealed off for 33 hours starting the day before the concert. There were also disaster-like safety warning texts, metal detectors, and bag checks."

What was the result? Kim pointed out, "Ordinary citizens did not come anywhere near Gwanghwamun," adding, "Instead, the square was filled with less than a tenth of the expected number of audience members and over 10,000 safety personnel."

Author Kim Kyu-na questioned the President's self-assessment that "it went well without accidents due to good planning," and commented, "The image of Seoul shown on screen was bizarre."

"The buildings in the Gwanghwamun area, which is densely populated with government offices and media companies, had their lights turned off early, making them dark. The audience area, confined within orderly control, felt more like a well-managed exhibition hall than a free festival."

As a result, the world was shown not Korea's dynamism, but a rigid society perfectly controlled by the state.

Kim Kyu-na identified the problem as "this control shaking the very foundation of the economy, going beyond culture and daily life," stating, "When the President worried about the price of sanitary pads, '99-won sanitary pads' appeared, and when he instructed to check sugar and bread prices, companies uniformly lowered their prices." She expressed concern about the reality where even gasoline prices falter at the President's word.

She further argued, "This is not the market moving, but corporations reading and sensitively reacting to signals from power," and declared, "Although it may seem beneficial to consumers for a while as prices seem to be controlled, a society where prices begin to be adjusted by the will of power, a system where corporations move and prices are determined by the word of the powerful – we call that a socialist or communist society."

"The excessively friendly 안내문 (information signs) overflowing in subway stations and on the streets are the same. Instructions at a kindergarten level like 'Be careful on the stairs' and 'Go left' condition the public into being unthinking beings. They steal the freedom to think and take responsibility. This is a massive gaslighting campaign, telling us the state will decide everything, so just do as you are told."

Author Kim Kyu-na stated that freedom is not a ration distributed within the scope permitted by the state, and expressed concern that "this country is excessively controlling the people under the guise of protection." She warned that a society that treats its citizens as toddlers and atrophies their thinking muscles inevitably drifts towards totalitarianism.

"The state must protect its citizens. However, the more friendly the state becomes, the less free the people become. What is frightening is that the public is slowly becoming accustomed to this excessive control."

She then introduced a passage from Ray Bradbury's novel 'Fahrenheit 451,' where firemen, instead of firefighters, appear.

Ray Bradbury's novel 'Fahrenheit 451' was also made into a film.

"He drove the pumper truck fast around the corner, leaning close to the wheel, and he looked like a bat with his great black fireproof suit rolling and flapping." "Well, Montag, here we are, going to protect the happiness of the world!" Beatty's slick, greasy cheeks flickered in the darkness."

Responding to a report, they set out and search houses. Their job is to find banned books hidden in every nook and cranny, pour kerosene on them, ignite them with a lighter, and turn the books, the houses, and sometimes even the people trying to dry them into black ashes.

Captain Beatty claims the act of burning books is 'protecting the happiness of the world' and is filled with a sense of mission. However, fireman Montag has long felt doubt about his profession. Finally, with a troubled heart, Montag arrives at the house he must burn. To his horror, he recoils. It is his own house.

Author Kim Kyu-na asks, "What about ducks? Quack! What about pigs? Oink! Like kindergarteners on a picnic, where are we heading now, and whom are we following? Are we perhaps rushing to annihilate our freedom?"

She raises her voice, warning that a country where the state dictates shower times, the president decides bread prices, and even festivals are held under strict inspections, will ultimately lead to " a massive prison where freedom and individuality are annihilated."

"Citizens are not toddlers, and the state is not a giant kindergarten. It is time to firmly reject the state's excessive care, which is a form of tyranny."

Wake up, individuals!

Arise, free Republic of Korea!

'Kim Kyu-na's World Like a Novel' will continue with your encouragement and support. We await sponsorship from those with good intentions. Kyu-yak Fighting! Thank you for 10,000 won.

Shinhan Bank 110-072-537351 (Kim Kyu-na)

Reporter Lim Yo-hee