July 15 is one of the most important days in Turkish history. It is called Democracy and National Unity Day due to its valuable and honorable meaning for the democratic world.

On July 15, 2016, a military coup was attempted in Turkey by a small group of soldiers in the Turkish Armed Forces, who are members of Fetullah Terror Organization (FETO). The democratically elected government and democracy supporters were targeted by the coup perpetrators. The attempt couldn’t be successful due to a strong public reaction. It started with raids in military zones as well as the occupation of the intercontinental bridges in Istanbul. It proceeded with sudden attacks on municipalities, public institutions, and media organizations. The National Assembly, Presidential Palace and headquarters of the Chief of Staff were also bombed and the military coup declaration was announced on the national TV channel, TRT.

The coup attempt failed because of a strong opposition from political, business, media and civil society circles. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced via FaceTime application that all people should take the streets and airports of their cities to show their anti-coup will and support for democracy. The coup attempt has been finalized after several local clashes in different regions of Turkey. A group of soldiers was surrendered at Istanbul Ataturk Airport and the Bosphorus Bridge. Two hundred and fifty innocent citizens were killed by these perpetrators during the coup attempt.

After the coup attempt, Turkey has shown big solidarity against the coup. Political parties, civil society organizations, and business groups stood against undemocratic and illegal groups which aim to destroy law and order.

FETO ― Fetullah Terror Organization is the name of a terrorist group which has tried to keep critical positions in the state bureaucracy for several years. Many years before the coup attempt, the organization was called a “parallel state” because of their secret and illegal intentions. As an international organization, this group has involved itself in NGO activities around the world and gained amazing power in a short time. Using huge networks abroad made the organization one of the most powerful groups in Turkey. Their early activities were based on education and their aim has changed in a short time after involving itself in Turkish politics. In this way, the group has opened numerous schools in Turkey and other countries and showed themselves benevolent people in front of the world media. Although their leader Fetullah Gulen who escaped to the US in 1999 has no proper educational background, he has been accepted as a big scholar by his followers. This made everything easy to commit unbelievable crimes against their own country and people. The organization has tried to seize important positions in the armed forces and the police till 2014. Their secret struggle against the Turkish state became overt after this time until the 2016 coup attempt. Gulen still lives in the U.S. and refuses to go back to Turkey although the Turkish authorities claim his extradition.

Turkey has taken serious measures to stop the danger of military coups and other types of bloody initiatives. Firstly, all of the activities of FETO have been stopped in the country and abroad. Their schools have been closed or given to the Turkish authorities. An education foundation named Turk Maarif Vakfi has been established to fulfill educational activities around the world. The foundation declared that their main mission is to educate the younger generations to stop the badness in the world. Thus, Turkey has shown that the best way to struggle against terrorism starts with education.

The country has already experienced dramatic results of military coups some decades ago. So, July 15 became a new turning point in Turkish history as the success of defending democracy. Democracy stands as a core element of Turkey and it has a long historical period from the 19th century till today.

South Korea has supported Turkey’s position with a condemnation statement and pointed out the importance of saving democracy with the support of people. Brother countries helped each other in their difficulties and strengthened their brotherhood as a good example in the history of the world.

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2018/07/137_252493.html