South Korea, a nation that has long prided itself on its hard-won democracy, now stands at a crossroads. A coup d’état, the ultimate betrayal of democratic principles, threatens to dismantle everything that past generations have fought to build. In moments of crisis, the greatest danger is not only the forceful seizure of power itself but also the narratives that enable it—chief among them, the theory of both sides, or "both-sidesism."
It is not enough to condemn a coup with words alone. We must understand that a coup is not just another political event or ideological conflict—it is an absolute evil in a democracy. It is the first and greatest blackmail of dictatorship, a blatant act of violence against the people’s right to self-governance.
The Danger of Both-Sidesism: False Neutrality as a Shield for Tyranny
Both-sidesism thrives in moments of uncertainty. It disguises itself as reason, as an appeal to moderation, but in reality, it serves only one purpose: to protect the perpetrators of injustice.
When a coup occurs, its architects often seek to justify their actions by claiming that the government was weak, corrupt, or illegitimate. They argue that they were forced to act for the "greater good." Supporters of both-sidesism, whether out of fear, ignorance, or self-interest, amplify this rhetoric, suggesting that "both sides" bear responsibility for the crisis. But this is a false equivalency—one side is defending democracy, while the other is destroying it.
History has shown us that neutrality in the face of tyranny is nothing more than complicity. When fascists rose to power in the 20th century, it was not because their ideas were superior, but because too many people stood by and said, “both sides are at fault.” We cannot afford to make the same mistake.
A Coup is a Direct Path to Dictatorship
No dictatorship in history has begun with open declarations of oppression. It always starts with the same tactic: seizing power by force and justifying it with claims of necessity. A coup is not a temporary deviation from democracy; it is its outright destruction. Once the military or a faction takes control by force, they will never voluntarily return power to the people.
Make no mistake: a coup is the first and most dangerous blackmail for dictatorship. Those who seize power through violence will continue to rule through violence. Every suppression of freedom, every restriction on the press, every unjust imprisonment will be justified as "necessary measures for stability." This is how democracy dies—not in an instant, but through a series of gradual compromises made by those who failed to resist when it mattered most.
Korea’s Bleak Future if We Do Not Stand for Justice
If we allow a coup to succeed, we will not just be sacrificing our democracy—we will be sealing our fate as a nation with no future.
Korea has already been burdened with the disgrace of being number one in areas we should be ashamed of:
- The highest suicide rate among developed nations
- An economy increasingly dependent on unfair labor conditions
- A society struggling with distrust, division, and an eroding sense of hope
A nation that tolerates a coup cannot hope for economic growth, social stability, or international respect. Investors flee from unstable countries. Human rights abuses scare away talent and innovation. Countries ruled by dictatorships do not thrive—they stagnate, decay, and collapse under their own corruption.
If we do not defend democracy now, we will be condemning future generations to live in a nation without dignity, justice, or hope.
Pursuing Happiness and Righteousness Over Blind Loyalty
Democracy is built on the pursuit of happiness and righteousness, not on unquestioning obedience to power.
History has shown us that those who blindly support an unjust leader, refusing to question their actions, are not patriots—they are traitors to their own people. Unconditional support is not loyalty; it is betrayal.
The reason why the naked king became naked was not because he lacked power, but because those around him were too cowardly to tell the truth. They told him he looked "cool," that his imaginary robes were beautiful, and in doing so, they enabled his downfall.
The same applies to those who support a coup or defend its leaders with empty rhetoric. They are not protecting the nation; they are deceiving it. They are enabling the destruction of democracy with their silence, their false neutrality, and their blind allegiance.
The Time to Act is Now
We stand on the edge of history. What we do in this moment will determine whether Korea remains a democratic nation or falls into the abyss of dictatorship.
This is not a time for silence. It is not a time for neutrality. It is not a time for excuses. It is a time to choose between justice and tyranny.
- We must reject both-sidesism and call the coup what it truly is—an unforgivable attack on democracy.
- We must demand accountability for those responsible, ensuring that they do not escape justice.
- We must support institutions that uphold fairness, justice, and human rights, refusing to let corruption and violence dictate our future.
- We must encourage free speech, independent journalism, and education that teaches future generations the value of democracy.
Most importantly, we must never accept the lie that dictatorship is an alternative to democracy. It is not. It is the path to ruin.
Democracy is not a given—it is a responsibility. If we do not fight for it now, we may lose it forever.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." – Edmund Burke
Let us not be the generation that stood by and did nothing. Let us be the generation that stood up and said: "No more."