Public rage, as expressed in the candlelight protests, is reaching a critical mass. “Out with Lee Myung-bak” was the most common slogan shouted out at the protest that went into the early hours of the morning on May 31 and June 1. Protesters and police stood in confrontation with each other at three places in front of the Blue House well into the morning. It reminded you of the April 19 Revolution 48 years ago. The situation is growing and is getting more heated.

It has to be because people see President Lee Myung-bak as the source of the issue and the one who needs to resolve it that the candles headed towards the Blue House. It is also because of anger at how the president is not listening to the people.

The response of the Lee government has been to send in water cannon vehicles and riot police arrest teams. This is what it came up with as the first action since the president pledged to be better at communication with the people. Reportedly he is furious, and demanded that his advisers find out who is paying for all the candles. His thinking, in which he measures everything by money, is shocking enough, but it’s dumbfounding the way he tries to keep his eyes closed to the country’s anger. Apparently he does not see that the mothers with children in their arms, the mothers and daughters holding hands, the white collar professionals and lovers and others of all ages and professions are all of the same mind. This is the Korean people, who gather unarmed and of their own volition.

Right now, Lee is trying to turn the people into his enemy. The result will be tragic. Unlike the April 19 Revolution and the June Struggle, this is a “pan-national” thing, with mothers and teenagers taking the lead. It is university students, unions, and politicians who are following along, and the explosiveness is growing. The trucking union and various other unions are set to go on strike. The situation will become uncontrollable if the many people disappointed with socioeconomic disparity, the collapse of small businesses, unemployment, and low quality jobs decide to act on that disappointment. If the government uses coercion to suppress the candlelight protests, how will it then block the outrage? It will at that point become a struggle, one splattered with tears and blood, instead of the festival-like gatherings we have now.

The way to get a hold of the situation is not complicated. The president needs to surrender to the will of the people. Changing a few ministers or advisers is not going to solve the situation. He needs to demonstrate that he has changed and is listening. The first step would be to announce that he is withdrawing the decision to import U.S. beef and that Korea will seek a new deal.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]