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The Cornerstones of South Korea: Legacy, Democracy, and Future
By Byung Kee Park
Seoul, South Korea — The People Power Party (PPP) has announced the formation of its Innovation Committee, comprised of 13 members, with the chairperson of the Innovation Committee John Linton included. Notably, out of the 12 committee members, 7 are women. The PPP is expected to confirm the composition of this committee in its high-level party meeting scheduled for later today.
I offer the following suggestions to the members of the Innovation Committee.
Photo by NJT.
Harmony in History: Recognizing South Korea's Foundational Forces
South Korea, a country known for its meteoric rise, is deeply rooted in its history and the sacrifices of its people. The three pillars that lifted the nation from its ashes were President Park Chung-hee's leadership, its workers' tireless efforts, and its mothers' selfless dedication. These pillars reflect the country's collective spirit and determination that drove the nation forward.
Delving deeper into the nation's history, figures like Hong Beom-do and Kim Jwa-jin played instrumental roles in establishing South Korea's identity as an independent nation. Their relentless efforts during the Japanese colonial era set the foundation for the country's future. However, these leaders have been sidelined by some factions, like the People Power Party, based on their political affiliations. This disregard overlooks their profound contributions to the nation's identity.
The People Power Party, President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Defense Minister Shin Won-sik must recognize and respect the sacrifices of these leaders. Their perspective on history should be more inclusive. By embracing a comprehensive view of the past, they can shape a more united and progressive future for South Korea.
President Park Chung-hee attends the Cheonho Bridge completion ceremony.
Beyond Rhetoric: The Youth's Search for Genuine Leadership in South Korea
President Park Chung-hee's vision and commitment to the Saemaul (New Village) Movement transformed South Korea's economic landscape. His belief that "We can live well!" resonated with the citizens and instilled a sense of hope and determination. Fast forward to the present, and the younger generation seems to be grappling with challenges that overshadow this belief. Many are hesitant to marry or have children, reflecting a stark contrast to the optimism of the past. A reported 80,000 youths, dubbed the 'NEET(Not in Education, Employment, or Training)' generation, remain unemployed and unengaged in education for years. This is further emphasized by South Korea's record low birth rate of 0.7%.
Politicians today seem more embroiled in power struggles than in providing solutions. It's worth noting that figures like Lee Jae-myung and Lee Jun-seok gained traction among the youth by offering glimmers of hope through policies or their persona. The younger generation seeks leaders who provide tangible solutions, not just political rhetoric.
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Redefining Learning: Bridging South Korea's Educational Past and Future
Education is another critical component that requires immediate attention. Historically, education played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's identity. However, the current system is failing many students, pushing them towards intense competition and draining their spirits. There is an imminent need to incorporate a more innovative philosophy into our educational structure. Education Minister Lee Joo-ho, a renowned expert in futuristic education, currently grapples with the challenges of the existing college entrance examination system. While it's impractical to overlook the established examination framework, it's lamentable that the expertise of a futurist like Minister Lee needs to be fully harnessed.
From an early age, education should instill a sense of identity in individuals, reaffirming the belief that the world is worth living in and that diligent efforts will lead to prosperity. Regrettably, the present educational environment pushes many students towards disillusionment. An education system that relentlessly promotes competition, compelling students to perpetually strive for victory, risks eroding the very soul of its learners.
Futuristic Economy
In the economic sphere, areas of interest for young people, like blockchain and cryptocurrencies, should be nurtured rather than stifled. The Yoon government's stance on these industries, through such as the Kim Nam-gook incident, has disillusioned many. The current administration needs to align its actions with its promises to the public.
Picture by Alexander Gardner. Portrait of Abraham Lincoln.
Bridging Political Divides: The Lincoln Lesson for South Korea
Americans have buried the mistakes of President Abraham Lincoln deep in the ground. If you go to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Lincoln is portrayed as the most remarkable person after Jesus. Most leaders have their merits and demerits. Lincoln had many demerits. However, he remains a great president. The People Power Party should judge the Democratic Party representative Lee Jae-myung by the same standard. Of course, his legal issues should be rightly judged through trials. But at least he should be respected as a representative of the opposing party. The People Power Party needs to step up its political game. Let the judiciary handle the legal matters and meet Lee for the public's welfare. Both the leader of the People Power Party and President Yoon Suk Yeol should meet Lee with an open heart. People who voted for Lee knew of his flaws and still supported him, believing he could prioritize the public's welfare. The public wants a leader like President Park Jung-hee, who prioritizes the public's interest. The current administration and the People Power Party appear not to be doing that, and by refusing to meet with Lee, this image intensifies. Aren't you aware that most U.S. presidents often met with majority party members even when their party was in the minority?
BTS. Photo by NJT.
K-Culture's Global Triumph: A Call for Political Alignment and Advocacy in South Korea
The most popular gift for North Korean customs officers is a USB with South Korean dramas. This highlights the power of culture. Thus, appropriate treatment and respect for cultural figures are essential. The current government and the People Power Party seem closed off to culture by trying to silence even slight criticisms of the president and the ruling party and limiting cultural figures' activities. Unfortunately, someone like Yu In-chon was appointed Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Previously, he attempted to determine the thoughts and activities of cultural figures. Actions like the appointment of Lee Dong-gwan as the Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission and Han Dong-hun as the Minister of Justice further tarnished the image of the People Power Party and President Yoon Suk Yeol. It paints them as prioritizing their political survival and personal safety over freedom of expression, culture, and the media. It's unfortunate for the public that these individuals became ministers. The People Power Party needs to establish a system where excesses can be pointed out, which would earn them public approval.
Currently, K-pop, K-dramas, K-movies, etc., are globally recognized. The People Power Party needs unified support for them. When Ha Tae-kyung, a congressman of the PPP, mentioned the military benefits for K-pop stars, there wasn't unanimous support within the party. After enough internal debate, the People Power Party needs to lead the way in providing military benefits for influential K-pop stars. Arguably, K-pop stars contribute more to national prestige than sports stars. Offering alternatives like deferred military service after age 30 might be worth considering.
During tough times, President Park Jung-hee led South Korea to prosperity, but now K-culture does. Thanks to K-culture, foreign visitor numbers are up, Korean products sell well, the country's image improves, and there's a surge in people wanting to learn Korean. Those who contribute significantly to K-culture should be given more opportunities to represent the nation.
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Need to offer and implement policies about the future through futurists.
Globally recognized futurists and Korean futurists should be recruited to research and provide policy recommendations for future societal challenges. Regular meetings with them would be beneficial to understand how to prepare for the future. While the past is important, the future is more so. It's essential to predict the future our children will face, determine what's needed, and provide relevant policies. Making it mandatory for aspiring members of parliament to attend these lectures may be unpopular among politicians but would surely be applauded by the public. The lack of interest in preparing for the future among those drafting laws is a source of frustration.
Unprepared parliamentary candidates.
There are many unprepared members of parliament. It's challenging to exclude them. List ten essential books on which politicians and parliament members must read and then write reflections.
Furthermore, the party could assign a book every month, ensuring that they read it and share related discussions.
Good policies and pledges are needed before winning the general election.
Foreign policy and pledge experts could be invited for lectures, after which attendees could submit reflections. Good policies could emerge from this. Although only six months are left, which might seem short, it's crucial to start now when the need is most apparent.
Recruiting young politicians who don't just nod to superiors.
As the above initiatives progress, promising young politicians will emerge. They will have ideas, courage, and conviction, not just yes-men. Encouraging young politicians with fresh perspectives will undoubtedly benefit the party's future.
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