Page 59 - NAKS MAC 2026 EBook

2026년 독립기념 ‘코리아 리뷰’ 에세이

The Ambiguity of Freedom

By: Lily Hwang

Among the countless expressions that fill the broad extent of modern human language, the
notion of “freedom” has yet to rest on one singular meaning. Although it is widely classified
as a simple term, it is a restless concept that holds immense power. It exists as the
unlimited function of not only substantial actions but also the infinite capacity of a
boundless psyche. Dating back centuries, “freedom” has been proven to be a necessity in
our lives, as it is the ultimate core of individuality. If “freedom” is the inner spark that
contains the expressions of human originality, “independence” is the external pillar that
protects and sustains this belief when achieved. And to achieve independence requires
freedom of one’s mind, despite the confinement of one’s physical state.

Forced under military coercion of the Japanese, the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905 (Eulsa
Treaty) made Korea a protectorate of Japan, which led to the complete annexation of Korea
in 1910. For thirty-five agonizing years, the citizens of Korea were forced to endure the loss
of national dignity, and universal human rights, including their cultural and linguistic
identity. During this period, colonial authorities placed mass emphasis on teaching the
Japanese language, in an attempt to annihilate Korean language and culture from history.
As Japanese became the official language, the mere act of speaking or using Korean in
schools or publications became heavily restricted, before eventually becoming outlawed in
the late 1930s. To resist these conditions was to face serious punishments ranging from
severe beatings, public humiliation and even imprisonment for adults. In other words, the
usage of our native tongue had once become a crime and a sin.

Despite these consequences, a group of courageous native scholars rose among society as
a symbol of resistance. Later known as the Korean Language Society, these scholars served
as a study-research group with one sole mission in mind–to preserve the deteriorating
Korean language. The sole act of actively participating as a member was an
nacknowledgment of putting their lives at stake, showing their true determination to
sustain and protect Korea’s native language and culture. Their actions serve as proof that
even under severe physical limitations, their mental sovereignty was not altered and
remained completely independent.

The struggle for survival was not limited to domestic cultural preservation, however, but
rather extended to become a universal resistance against oppression. Published in 1919 by
Philip Jaisohn, an early Korean-American activist and reformer, The Korea Review served as
an international voice, aimed at shattering the heavy propaganda and exposing the harsh
colonial oppression to the Western world.

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