hankyoreh

One year ago today, the citizens of this nation watched the victory of Lee Myung-bak in the presidential election with high hopes. He won by the largest margin in South Korean history. It was the first time a Grand National Party candidate obtained overwhelming support in Seoul and the capital region. This was an expression of their expectation that he would heal conflicts in Korean society, split by region and class, and save the economy by embodying in his policies what the people were really hoping for. He too said that he took these feelings of the people very seriously. As he reflected on his election, he said, “Our divided society must achieve social unity and citizen unity.” At a press conference, he said, “The people have chosen practicality rather than ideology. I will usher in an age of citizen success, wiping their tears and sharing their hopes.” Even people who did not vote for him expected at least that the new administration would go in this direction and thought that even if it didn’t go as far as an “age of citizen success,” they could share in the fruits of a slightly improved economy.

Now, exactly one year later, those expectations have been ruthlessly shattered. The economy has plunged, the working class is being driven to the edges of survival, and yet the government is in fact reducing the social safety net. In the National Assembly, a violent physical brawl took place between ruling and opposition party lawmakers over a highly controversial ratification agreement bill for the South Korea-United States free trade agreement and certain ideological legislation dressed up as “reform.” In the schools, a demonstration took place among students and parents protesting the dismissal of seven teachers, and antagonism between the capital region and the provinces is racing to the brink of an explosion. The people who did not support Lee Myung-bak are even more afraid of the next four years than the year that has already gone by, while even those who supported him are abandoning their hopes in disappointment and despondency. The excitement and expectations have melted away, and only rage and hatred stoke the fires of fierce ideological conflict raging throughout the society.

What is even more frightening is Lee’s arrogance and complacency, as he merely blames others and goes his own road. This is the man who said, “I will become humble. I will serve the people.” He blames the difficulties now on “the last ten years of progressive administrations” and on “domestic stagnation accompanying the stagnation in the global economy,” but he refuses to look back on how far astray he has gone from the words he said to the people in his election campaign and the promises he made right after his election victory. While the economic situation has changed completely with the worldwide financial crisis, he has shown no thoughts of adhering to his election pledge and making new adjustments and changes to the tenor of his policy and the people carrying it out. His erstwhile trademark, “pragmatism,” has lost its luster within an ideological fixation more obstinate than that of any other leader in South Korea’s history. He has assumed a position not as one who unites, healing conflict, but as the worst kind of “leader of division,” and this is the unfortunate reality faced now by him and the people.

But we cannot abandon all expectations for the next four years simply because the last year has been horrible. President Lee must remember once again the expectations and hopes the people must have had for him as they entered the voting booths on December 19 of last year. What they wanted from a “President Lee Myung-bak” was flexibility and an open mind. They wanted an attitude of finding and using capable individuals without regard for political faction, of accepting what is right without hesitation, whether it be conservative or progressive. They wanted the humility of a man who should not hesitate to correct any mistakes he might make and find a new road. When President Lee looks back and considers these feelings of the voters, he can find a way to break through this severe economic crisis. The answer is not far away. It is contained in the words he said to the people one year ago today.

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