Editorial
“Aemakaeeo Manggukmin (There Is No One Sadder than a Ruined People)”
There is no one sadder than a ruined people.
August 29, 4243 (1910) is a day when our mother country bade her last farewell to this world. We are now a people with no country, no history, no freedom, and no sovereignty. What great sin had we committed in our previous lives that we became a ruined people of all things? Having known this would happen in the first place, why did heaven give birth to us and why did our parents give birth to us? When we go south, the southerners point their fingers at us as a homeless people, and when we go north, the northerners do the same. Now, where should we go to avoid this disgrace? Even if swords touch our necks and guns are pointed at our chests, we will fight against that terrible robber Japan for our freedom. If we do not return home, we cannot see our parents and siblings, and if we are to return, we cannot put up with the vicious acts by the enemy. We cannot just disappear from the surface of the earth.
Even if swords touch our necks and guns are pointed at our chests, we will fight against that mortal enemy: the Japanese. Our venerable Emperor has become a vassal of the Japanese Emperor, and the latter has become our step father. Nevertheless, we will not do him vassalage as vowing to the north four times, if not shattering him, the ring leader of our enemy. Even if swords touch our necks and guns are pointed at our chests, we will fight against the Japanese invaders from Samdo. Even when hazel trees have openings and even swallows have nests, is there no place in this vast world where we, who consider people as the most precious, can stay?
Even if swords touch our necks and guns are pointed at our chests, we will fight against those robbers of our territory. The indignity and disgrace are no small matter when hundreds or thousands of people are enslaved by one to two or two to three people. Still more, we will be jointly enslaved by the foe whose number runs 40 to 50 million and have to serve as masters even those with dishonest faces. As such, even if swords touch our necks and guns are pointed at our chests, we will fight against those villains who plundered us of our rights.
Taegeukgi, the national flag! Where did you go and leave us behind? The fourth year of Yunghui (1910)! Where did you go after abandoning us? The beautiful land of Korea! When can we see you again? Even if swords touch our necks and guns are pointed at our chests, we will fight against that enemy to restore our mother country.
As we have not lost all senses like trees and stones, will we dishonorably seek to keep on living under these circumstances? There are times to be patient and protect our lives, but this is not one of those times. If we are willing to risk our lives and act collectively in any way, even the souls in Lushunkou and Tsushima will help us. Even when we fail and die, at least there will be fewer slaves for the Japanese. Compatriots, Compatriots! Let us put forth exertions.