Nonetheless, people’s despotism can never be justified or tolerated under any circumstances.

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The Yoon Suk-yeol administration was fraught with instability from its inception. The fact that Yoon was perceived as a “mercenary” and the elitist, insular image of his “prosecution-based government” only reinforced this instability.

In reality, his leadership has been built on a weak power base, relying heavily on bureaucratic elitism and close-knit circles of trusted associates. Political strategy and effective communication with the public seem to have been largely absent.

One politician noted that efforts to encourage cooperation with the opposition party were met with resistance, as Yoon reportedly said, “How can I cooperate with criminals?”

Through publications and commentary, I repeatedly advocated for strategies to consolidate support from the base while expanding outreach to broader groups, but none of these suggestions were adopted.

Even so, many conservative supporters refrained from criticizing the administration, believing that a collapse would lead to something worse—perhaps even a descent into people’s despotism. Instead, they urged the administration to succeed and proposed continued strategic adjustments. However, these strategies were ultimately abandoned amidst internal power struggles within the conservative political sphere, rendering them meaningless.

Many citizens supported the Yoon administration, thinking it was better than a “criminal regime.” Yet now, it appears we may be entering an era of people’s despotism.

The prosecution has historically been a target of public distrust and resentment, and under this administration, signs have emerged that Yoon pursued major actions based more on instinct and momentum than on thorough internal consultation or planning.

The prosecution’s traditional investigative style mirrors this pattern. Decisions were often based on the intuition and judgment of its leaders, with the media following closely and using public sentiment to generate momentum for investigations. To be fair, this approach was sometimes effective in exposing the corruption of powerful figures.

However, when the prosecution transitioned from being the “watchdog of the people” to becoming a central force in governance, internal divisions emerged as individuals began pursuing their own interests. Coordination broke down, highlighting the fundamental difference between investigation and politics.

When the prosecution became the leader of a conservative administration, the already left-leaning media landscape ceased to cheer for or support their investigations as they once had.

In the past, the media actively highlighted the prosecution’s efforts to expose corruption and conduct fair investigations, rallying public support. Today, however, the prosecution’s role has shifted. It is no longer seen as an independent watchdog but as part of the ruling apparatus, fundamentally altering how it is perceived by the press.

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Many people feel deep disappointment and anger toward President Yoon Suk-yeol. These feelings are entirely understandable.

Regardless of the president’s intentions or resolve, a failed leader in real-world politics is, by definition, a failure. Yoon misjudged the political landscape, lost control over the prosecution, and attempted to wield an unsteady military to address criminal elements—a move that has been widely criticized.

This can be seen as the structural and historical collapse of the prosecutorial administration, which launched with figures like Yoon Suk-yeol, Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, and Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok, aiming to use investigations into Lee Jae-myung as a political driving force.

Yoon is a tragic leader who, like the last king of a fallen nation, refused to be a mere puppet and sought to rule with authority.

However, the justification of people’s despotism or its excesses under the guise of dismantling prosecutorial despotism cannot be tolerated. South Korea is a nation founded on democracy and the rule of law. It must remain a society that guarantees freedom of expression and conscience.

History shows us that no era has ever achieved perfect peace or stability. When one form of despotism is eradicated, another inevitably rises to take its place, perpetuating a vicious cycle. This is why we must never stop fighting. Even in the face of despair, we must continue striving, uniting, and resisting to build a better tomorrow.

We must persist endlessly in our efforts to uphold democracy and the rule of law.