I Wail Bitterly Today

I Wail Bitterly Today (Korean: 『시일야방성대곡』; Hanja: 『是日也放聲大哭』; alternatively 『이 날에 목놓아 통곡하노라』) is a historic Korean-language newspaper editorial.

It was originally published on November 20, 1905 in the Hwangsŏng Shinmun, and written by Chang Chi-yŏn [ko], the editor-in-chief of the newspaper.

But the Ministers of our Government, who are worse than pigs or dogs, coveting honours and advantages for themselves, and frightened by empty threats, were trembling in every limb, and were willing to become traitors to their country and betray to Japan the integrity of a nation which has stood for 4,000 years, the foundation and honour of a dynasty 500 years old, and the rights and freedom of twenty million people.

Our people have become the slaves of others, and the spirit of a nation which has stood for 4,000 years, since the days of Tun Kun has perished in a single night.

It was republished by other newspapers of the time, including The Korea Daily News and even the Japan-based, English-language publication Japan Chronicle.