The Kaizhou InquirerThe Kaizhou Inquirer is northern Indrala's leading periodical, reporting on politics, culture and economicsJune 4381Indrala celebrates death of Dranian dictator Taeyang Sang-ahSpontaneous street parties erupted across the nation as the government confirmed Dranian state media reportsA dragon dance is performed during one gathering in Tian'anNATIONWIDE: Within half an hour of the Indralan government's confirmation of the death of the 103-year-old dictator, thousands of people flocked to streets and plazas across the nation to celebrate.
"Taeyang Sang-ah will be remembered as the leader of a totalitarian regime which has violated the basic rights of the Dranian people for nearly a century," said Chief Counselor Gao Yifen in a press conference, "While Taeyang is gone, sadly the oppression that was the hallmark of her era is not. We hope that with the death of this despicable despot, Dankuk will be able to turn a new leaf and ensure each of her citizens can walk the flower path."
In 4297, President Hong Seon-ki led a coup against the Federalist Party and the constitutional monarchs in Dankuk, declaring himself "God Emperor." The Indralan government refused to recognize his title, reaffirming their support for the constitutional monarchy, led by the House of Ryeo. Eventually, politicians within the Federalist Party and Democratic Progressive Party were able to purge Hong, restoring democratic rule to Dankuk. However, the wealthy and charismatic Taeyang Sang-ah, utilizing her connections, was groomed by Hong's party, the National Conservative Party, and eventually ran for and won the Presidency. Historical revisionism has emerged from Dankuk in recent years which claims that Taeyang lead a rebellion against Hong's leadership. In reality, Taeyang continued nearly all Hong-era policies, including constitutional amendments which weakened Dranian democracy.
During her administration, Taeyang again led an assault against her political opponents. Tens of thousands of Dranians went missing during her first administration, many of who have never been heard from. Taeyang won her second term amid an election which widely was viewed as "problematic." Following her second victory, hundreds of thousands of Dranian refugees began an exodus to Indrala. The House of Ryeo, Dranian monarchs for nearly a thousand years, were deposed and persecuted, eventually being extracted by members of the Ministry of State Security while in hiding.
Prominent Kyo-Indralans, popstar Jinsoo (left) and Lotus Party President and Foreign Affairs Minister Sung Hyo-rinAs a result, the death of Taeyang has been deeply emotional for many Kyo-Indralans. One of Indrala's top pop stars Jinsoo, a second-generation Kyo refugee, spoke at one street party in Kaizhou wherein he struggled to hold back tears.
"My ancestors fled under Taeyang's brutal rule," said Jinsoo, "I hope that young people in Dankuk will seize this moment and help write a new chapter in history; that of a Dankuk which is free, democratic, and prosperous."
Another prominent Kyo-Indralan, the Lotus Party President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sung Hyo-rin responded to the news alongside the Chief Counselor, before responding to comments from Dranian Foreign Minister Marian Lohmille.
"Our government took a justified and righteous stand against the Dranian dictatorship with the Dankuk Act and we will continue to do so," Sung said, referring to the wide-reaching sanctions legislation passed in 4348, "should Ms. Lohmille choose to enter Indrala she will be arrested swiftly in accordance with article 7."
When asked whether the government would consider closer military ties to Dankuk, as suggested by the Dranian Minister, Sung laughed before saying, "you're joking, right?"
In a rare public expression, the Imperial Palace joined in the festivities, launching fireworks from a bridge turret. The Emperor is a direct matrilineal descendant of the deposed House of Ryeo and as such has many ties to the former Dranian monarchs.