I Wail Bitterly Today (; 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, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper.[1]
Around the time of the newspaper's publication, the Empire of Japan was moving to absorb Korea. The editorial was written in direct response to the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905, which placed Korea under the indirect rule of a Japanese Resident-General.[2] The editorial criticized the treaty, the ministers who signed it, and Japanese politician Itō Hirobumi, who had contributed significantly to the treaty's creation. It was widely circulated and is considered representative of the Korean reaction to the establishment of a Japanese protectorate.[3] [4]
The text was originally written in mixed script (Hangul and Hanja).
The editorial was hailed in Korea. It was republished by other newspapers of the time, including The Korea Daily News and even the Japan-based, English-language publication Japan Chronicle. The editorial caused the newspaper's publication to be forcefully ceased for a period of three months, as Chang was arrested and imprisoned.