Korea:”We will eternally document the coup forces”

Under the Ministry of Education, the Academy of Korean Studies is led by President Kim Nak-nyeon, known as a New Right historian. Political science researchers at the academy have issued a declaration on the current state of affairs. On the 12th, six researchers, including Ko Yoo-hyun, expressed their determination in the declaration: “As political science students researching Korean studies, we will study these pro-coup forces, document them in history, and translate our findings to inform the world.”

In the declaration titled “Our Research Has Just Begun,” they stated, “We are ‘reckless’ political science students who have decided to dedicate a part of our youth and lives to studying political science, especially ‘Korean politics.’ We will no longer ‘rage’ against you. Instead, we will ‘study’ you. Through study, research, and scholarship, we will analyze, criticize, and document you.”

They continued, “Our theses, research, and reports will endure forever and will be read by colleagues, seniors, juniors, and future generations. Our research will not remain only in Korean. It will be translated into English, Chinese, Burmese, Uzbek, Vietnamese, Russian, Japanese, and other languages by colleagues who have come from around the world to study Korean politics, spreading widely.”

Finally, as young researchers, they expressed their determination to ‘ultimately prevail’:

“Do not worry. We are young, but you are old. We are full of energy, but you are exhausted. We have ample time, but your time is running out. We will unite, but you will divide. We have courage, but you are cowardly. We have nothing to fear, but you are surrounded by fears. We have colleagues, but you have only enemies. And our research has just begun.”

The following is the full text of the declaration.

<Political Declaration: Our Research Has Just Begun>

At 10:23 PM on December 3, 2024, Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol nonchalantly declared martial law, the first in half a century. With a resolute expression, Mr. Yoon claimed the justification for this action was to “protect liberal democracy” by eliminating the “masterminds of pro-North anti-state forces” who “plunder the freedom and happiness of the people.” His speech contained no language of “democracy” or “politics.” It even fell short of the deliberate rhetoric used to justify “war.” Instead, it sounded like something uttered by a man consumed with rage and despair over drinks. The misfortune lies in the fact that this man, Mr. Yoon, was not an ordinary citizen but the President of South Korea.

The first decree issued by the Martial Law Command was similarly filled with aggressive and violent language. The decree even included threats to “punish” medical professionals under martial law for not returning to work. Did you genuinely intend to “punish” medical workers? In the name of “liberal democracy,” who else were you prepared to “punish”? If not for the swift response and repeal efforts of the people and the National Assembly, further decrees would have followed, and “good citizens” would have lived in fear of an increasingly tyrannical power, while “bad citizens” risked being “punished.”

What shocked us further was the conduct of the People Power Party during this martial law period. Floor leader Chu Kyung-ho and 90 other ruling party lawmakers refused to participate in the repeal, citing their inability to “grasp the president’s intentions.” Instead, they remained at the party headquarters in Yeouido rather than attending the National Assembly. The distance between the party headquarters and the National Assembly is merely 835 meters—a walk of about ten minutes. Surely, the lawmakers did not find this distance too exhausting. Most likely, you refrained from even this slow walk, fearing that the reckless imposition of martial law might succeed.

The actions of the 18 People Power Party lawmakers who supported the repeal on December 7 showed just how arduous even the first step toward constitutional restoration could be. Ahead of votes on the special prosecutor bill for Kim Kun-hee and the motion for impeachment, these lawmakers displayed cowardice by avoiding participation. Whether for or against, the Speaker of the National Assembly implored them to partake in the vote as a plea for democratic recovery. Yet, you stayed in your corners, refusing to engage. We did not hear what you discussed, but we witnessed you hastily leaving the assembly chamber, ignoring the pleas of your colleagues.

Days after solemnly proclaiming the restoration of liberal democracy, Mr. Yoon issued an apology with a smile. The apology contained absurd claims: he would leave “legal and political accountability,” along with measures for stabilizing the administration, to the People Power Party, including decisions regarding his tenure. As if on cue, Han Duck-soo and Han Dong-hoon announced their intention to jointly exercise presidential powers. Is the “liberal democracy” you champion one where unelected individuals can usurp presidential authority? If North Korea were to invade tomorrow, would Mr. Han Dong-hoon, as commander-in-chief, declare war and lead the military? If a foreign leader visits South Korea tomorrow, will Mr. Han Duck-soo represent the nation in diplomatic talks? Neither of you has the authority to do so.

When mistakes are made, those responsible must face the consequences. This is not just a rule of democracy; it is a rule of life. Mr. Yoon, this is not the time for empty apologies like “martial law was an act of desperation.” Mr. Han Duck-soo, it is not the time for belated excuses like “I regret not stopping the president.” Mr. Han Dong-hoon, it is not the time for hyperbole like “I was nearly arrested too.” As president, prime minister, and ruling party representatives, you must fulfill your duties as prescribed by the Constitution and law for a prompt and democratic resolution. We will not spell out what these duties are; for the sake of your remaining dignity, we trust you already know.

We are students of political science, particularly “Korean politics,” who have chosen to dedicate our youth and a portion of our lives to this field. We will no longer “rage” at you. Instead, we will “study” you. Through study, research, and academia, we will analyze, critique, and document your actions. Our theses, research, and reports will endure forever, to be read by colleagues, predecessors, successors, and future generations. Our work will not remain solely in Korean. It will be translated into English, Chinese, Burmese, Uzbek, Vietnamese, Russian, Japanese, and other languages by our peers from around the world who come to study Korean politics.

Do not worry. We are young; you are old. We are full of energy; you are exhausted. We have ample time; your time is running out. We will unite; you will divide. We are courageous; you are cowardly. We have nothing to fear; you are consumed by fear. We have allies; you have only enemies. And our research has just begun.

The East Asia Research Association of Unjung-dong, Social Science Division, Graduate School of Korean Studies, The Academy of Korean Studies
Ko Yu-hyun, Kim Sung-jin, Pyo Ji-young, and 3 others
December 12, 2024