By Lieutenant General (Ret.),Columist, Mr. Choi Hyun-guk
“This time, we must elect a president who will finally restore historical truth.”
During a recent campaign visit to Daegu by presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea, I had the opportunity to meet with individuals who represent the living spirit of Korea’s independence struggle and patriotism. Though Daegu has long been known as the symbolic heart of Korean conservatism, I encountered in its quiet corners the enduring roots of what one might call ‘authentic conservatism’—deeply committed to the Republic, its history, and its honour.
Among them were Mr. Woo Dae-hyun, Chairman of the Daegu Dalseo Chapter of the Liberation Association, and Mr. Choi Bong-tae, a prominent human rights lawyer and head of Law Office 31.
Chairman Woo, son of independence hero General Woo Jae-ryong of the Daehan Gwangbokhoe (Korean Liberation Association), has dedicated his life to preserving the patriotic legacy of his forebears through civic education and commemorative action. At the gathering, he and fellow attendees expressed their belief that the events surrounding the attempted martial law declaration of December 3rd revealed the urgent need for a change in leadership. For many, Lee Jae-myung represents a figure capable of healing long-standing grievances in Daegu.
Speaking with reverence, Chairman Woo said,
“Daegu must reawaken to the spirit of independence. This election must serve as a turning point to restore our national integrity.”
As a descendant of a family steeped in patriotic sacrifice—my great-grandfather, General Choi Seong-chil, served under General Jeon Bong-jun during the Donghak Peasant Revolution and was executed after the Battle of Ugeumchi; General Choi Gyeong-hoe died in the second Siege of Jinju during the Imjin War; my father, a Korean War veteran, was recognised as a national merit recipient—Chairman Woo’s words deeply resonated with me.
Also present was Mr. Choi Bong-tae, who has led the movement to recover the remains of 139 Korean labourers who perished at the Josen coal mines in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Holding up a photograph of recently discovered remains, he shared plans to travel to Japan to verify their identity. His determined expression reflected the unyielding dignity and devotion that define the Daegu many have long misunderstood.
During the meeting, I proposed that the spirit of the independence movement and Korea’s resistance against Japanese imperialism be enshrined as part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. I argued:
“The essence of our historical education lies in pride. The legacy of our independence fighters deserves global recognition.”
This idea was met with warm agreement, and the moment offered a rare convergence of memory, mission, and hope for future generations.
Daegu’s citizens are now asking once more: What does it truly mean to be conservative? What was the purpose of politics—to serve power, or to serve the people?
Perhaps, quietly but unmistakably, the answer is being rediscovered in Daegu itself. Not through slogans, but through remembrance. Through justice. And through the enduring spirit of a people who never gave up on the dream of a just and independent Republic.
