[Editorial] Time to finally let Roh go

Posted on : 2012-05-23 13:33 KST Modified on : 2012-05-23 13:33 KST

Three years have passed since the death of former president Roh Moo-hyun. Since then, Korean society has changed a lot. The Lee Myung-bak government has almost reached the end of the line. Not even the ruling party would object much to the assessment that this has been a horrible administration in every way, considering its governance of the country and its moral standards. The Lee government has been stunningly corrupt, enriching itself at the expense of the general public, which has grown considerably poorer.

There have been big political changes. Driven into a corner, the ruling party went as far as changing its name. In the opposition camp, followers of former president Roh have come to occupy a central position. This is the so-called “pro-Roh resurrection.” Within this political maelstrom, the former president has resurfaced as a potent symbol, prompting reflection on the present and future of Korean society.

Nobody now disagrees with the values associated with Roh’s spirit, such as communication, participation, post-authoritarianism, balanced regional development and distributive justice. On the contrary, the true value of this spirit is growing more obvious by the day.

When faced with the question of how Roh’s spirit is actually being realized today, however, we experience frustration. The name “Roh Moo-hyun” above all symbolized resistance to entrenched privilege, but the political situation today is one where the upper class is growing stronger.

For the past three years, the dominant emotions among those promoting the continuance and development of Roh’s spirit have been pent-up anger and rage. The results of the April 11 general election, however, showed that there is a limit to the political approach that puts forth only these emotions. Ultimately, the best way of judging a sitting administration is to show a much better one.

Realizing former president Roh’s dream must, paradoxically, begin with denial of Roh himself. It involves moving beyond the taxidermized Roh Moo-hyun, the deified Roh Moo-hyun and the thoroughly beautified Roh Moo-hyun. We must infuse Roh’s spirit with new life and make it into a foundation set firmly into the ground of reality, rather than floating in the air. In order to do this, we must start by adopting honest and modest mindsets. We must not be afraid of admitting the failures of Roh’s policies. We must not attempt to avoid responsibility through excuses and sophistry. We must clearly admit the achievements and limitations of the past, seek new alternatives for the future and prove them in the present.

Roh left us with the words, “The organized strength of enlightened citizens is the last bastion of democracy.” The strength of enlightened citizens is the keyword that will determine the direction of politics this year, and by extension, the future of the state. The opposition must hold on to a deep awareness, however, that awareness and spontaneous political participation on the part of citizens can never occur through self-righteous assertions or emotional appeals alone.

Now is the time to send Roh Moo-hyun on his way. We must cut away the imagined Roh and create a new one. A longing for change may in fact be the most important element of Roh’s spirit. Let us put our hands together and pray that the deceased can lay down all the baggage he carries and rest peacefully in the next world.

 

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

 

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