“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” It is not a phrase which is talking about the real aspect of life. It is a part of a novel, “1984,” written by George Owell, which presented a nightmarish vision in 1949.

This negative utopia is just an imagination in the novel which the power of its admonitions seems to grow, not lessen, with the passage of time. Same to our reality, it seems not so far with the contents and atmospheres of the novel, which the character of “1984,”as a “Ministry of Truth,” restraining citizens’ thoughts, favors and operating almost perfect surveillance system. In our reality, “Ministry of Truth,” so-called “Big Brother” is activating to control over people and even neglects them.

For example, on September 13, the Defense Ministry has ordered to pull down 90 of the dwelling houses in Daechuri, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi province, designated as the area for the U.S. military base expansion. Because of fierce protest by residents, activist and other civic groups, the government had only reached to remove 50 houses.

In this situation, the media focuses on the violent confrontations which they say it is all residents fault. Rather an oppressive attitude of the Defense Ministry, its hard stance is concealed. They say requirements will be taken only about emigration and compensation matters. Actually, the authorities have no regard with the Daechuri people’s living.

What is getting worse and making lamentable, the possibilities are getting lower for further dialogues. Also, the Korea-U.S. FTA, one of the biggest issues is in chaos with growing oppositions. It is getting controversial whether it is negotiating in equal positions and pursuing the real meaning of free trade.

Yielding a slight step, the U.S. negotiatory committee asks for unacceptable conditions such as opening the gambling market. Though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trades (MOFAT) say it is important for an economic take off of Korea, they show lack of efforts in conversation. The growing oppositions may come from the one-sided decision making system by the authorities that blinds and separate the public from the issue.

It seems that the MOFAT has less concern with the total life and coexistence of people. In conclusion, the government would likely to control over the life of people rather than gather public hearings and attempt for conversations. The Defense Ministry and the Daechuri people, the MOFAT and the public, the authorities are caught in deep rooted beliefs that the public is not for handling with conversation nor to serve.

This is a new type of violence which strengthens their authorities, neglects the democratic rules to solve problems with conversation and discussion. They are positioning as a new Big Brother, sometimes reminding the physical, psychological oppression at the time of military dictatorship.

Hence, the hopeful road is to resist and keep an eye on the policies of the government. The media, civic groups, activists should point out the phantom menace, which is tightening the life of people especially the weak, neglected.

Mun Jung-hyeon, a priest who constantly resisted on the top of a house in Daechuri, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, which is a civic group always supervising the possible corruptions, absurdities in governments are commonly showing a role model as an individual and organizational move to the hopeful road.