A Journey to the Peak Amidst Political Suppression
Immediately after the lifting of his first house arrest (a legal measure where authorities confine a person to their own residence), former President Kim Young-sam (YS) headed straight for the mountains. On June 9, he hiked a trail on Mt. Bukhan (then known as Mt. Samgak), starting from Segeomjeong and ending at Jeongneung.
He was joined by 10 of his closest political allies, including Kim Su-han, Choi Hyeong-woo, and Kim Dong-young. In an era where political gatherings were strictly forbidden, this hike was more than just physical exercise; it was a defiant act of solidarity.
The Dawn of the 'Democratic Mountain Club'
History records this specific hike as the unofficial launch of the Democratic Mountain Club (Minju Sanak-hoe). During a time when formal political activity was banned, hiking served as a clever way to bypass surveillance and organize movements under the guise of a hobby group.
- Key Participants: 10 close aides including Kim Su-han and Choi Hyeong-woo.
- Locations: Mt. Bukhan (June 9) and Mt. Dobong (June 13).
- Legacy: The group grew into a central pillar for South Korea’s democratization movement.
Freedom on the Heights, Reality in the Valleys
Following a second hike on Mt. Dobong on June 13, YS shared his complex emotions. The stark contrast between the freedom he felt at the summit and the oppressive political atmosphere waiting for him below caused him great distress.
"I feel so good when I am on the mountain, but as I descend, it feels like I am returning to a strange and distorted world. I feel depressed. It is difficult to find the right words to express this feeling."
Turning Melancholy into Movement
This sense of depression did not lead to despair; instead, it fueled a new will to fight. The Democratic Mountain Club eventually evolved from a small group of hikers into the most powerful opposition organization against the military regime. Each step taken on those mountain trails paved the way for modern democracy in South Korea.
