A scene from the movie adaptation of George Orwell's ‘1984’.

Author Kim Gyu-na has voiced criticism via Facebook regarding the current government's excessive linguistic control and frequent punishments. 

In the 303rd installment of ‘Kim Gyu-na’s Novel-like World,’ posted on the 9th, Kim asked, "While wars are breaking out in the Middle East, this country's government has declared war on 'fake news.' Are they planning to create a semi-wartime situation under martial law?"

Government Threatens Citizens by Labeling Dissent as ‘Rebellion’

She expressed regret that on April 6th, during a State Council meeting, the head of state designated the spread of false rumors as a 'rebellion,' issuing specific directives such as 'Don't wait for a response, detect it before it's spread' and 'Establish a preemptive screening system,' thereby issuing a threat. 

Kim Gyu-na stated that rebellion refers to 'the act of an armed group attempting to overthrow a regime or incite civil war against the government,' questioning, "Are we currently in a civil war, holding guns?" 

Furthermore, she pointed out, "Although they added a clause limiting it to clearly false facts, the threat that the state will monitor the movements of the tongue before the public even opens their mouths is an overt intimidation of those who voice criticism of the government." 

She argued that the government's stance is a declaration to replace the foundations of liberal democracy—discussion, persuasion, tolerance, inclusiveness, individuality, and diversity—with lawsuits, accusations, crackdowns, and punishments. 

"Already, under the guise of various issues, innocent citizens are being subjected to police investigations, indicted by prosecutors, and dragged to court. We have entered a society where the very act of existing as an individual, thinking for oneself, and expressing oneself has become an object of punishment."

As author Kim Gyu-na suggests, defining dissent from the government as 'rebellion' is a command to meekly repeat only the answers dictated by power, and it signifies an intention to identify and suppress political dissidents. 

He interpreted the statement, "To punish judgment and opinion means to criminalize thought itself," as meaning, "Do not think. Do not express. Your opinions are not needed. Only consume, listen to, and speak the information distributed by the government."

What Big Brother Wants is a Blank Slate Human Stripped of Thought

Kim Gyu-na used George Orwell's novel ‘1984’ as an example, stating that Winston, after excruciating torture, comes to believe that 'two plus two equals five.' "At that moment, he is no longer a resistor. He is a completely remolded being, a human who does not think for himself," she emphasized. 

Furthermore, Big Brother does not want individuals who merely pretend to conform to save their lives. Kim pointed out, "The government's ultimate goal is to create 'blank slate humans' who have lost the ability to judge for themselves, who believe only the information provided by the authorities as truth, and who send tearful praises to Big Brother." 

Kim Gyu-na added that this serves as a model, where the public, without being forced, all say the same thing and conform to the government; this, she said, is the completion of control. 

"He returned to the Ministry of Love, where he was forgiven everything and his soul was cleansed like a white snow. He sat in the dock at a public trial and confessed everything, implicating everyone. He was walking down a corridor with white tiles, feeling as if he were walking in the sunlight. Then an armed guard appeared behind him. The bullet he had longed for pierced his skull." - From George Orwell’s ‘1984’

Selective Allowance Is Not True Freedom

According to author Kim Gyu-na, freedom of expression that is selectively allowed is not freedom. If only certain lines of thought are considered safe and other thoughts are punished, that society is already a communist society or a totalitarian state that has predetermined the outcome and allows only that single correct answer. 

"Why does someone's opinion become a sacred sanctuary, and someone else's opinion a crime? Why are some opinions respected, and others subject to punishment? Why are some interpretations protected, and others forbidden? Why are people dragged to trial and punished for saying 'two plus two equals four'? Why are only those who say 'five' as dictated by power safe?"

Author Kim Gyu-na proclaims that what we need now is not grand discourse. It is simply to protect the humble freedom to boldly state that 'two plus two equals four.' If this freedom is taken away, she warns, the next one will be you, and you too will be dragged to court for having thought. 

As a result, she warns, "Ultimately, like Winston, your soul will be destroyed, and you will come to love Big Brother. And at that moment, with an empty head and heart, you will be eternally removed from this land."

Wake up, individuals!

Arise, free Republic of Korea!

‘Kim Gyu-na’s Novel-like World’ can be found on Facebook. Voluntary subscriptions are 10,000 won. 

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