(EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Dec. 3)

dailies-editorials (1)



Better communication

In a meeting with the ruling Grand National Party leaders Monday, President Lee
Myung-bak is reported to have said that he finds the single-term presidency
better in that it allows him to act on his convictions.
Lee pointed out that it would be difficult to act in this way and not be
constrained by different interests of the many players in a system that allows
consecutive terms, since one would work with reelection in mind.
Here, Lee seems to fail to grasp the notion that that the possibility of
reelection is what makes elected leaders answerable to the people. In systems
that allow consecutive terms, leaders try to remain popular by accommodating the
interests of as much of the electorate as possible. Such accountability is one of
the hallmarks of a democracy. When the possibility of a reelection is removed,
the incentive to work for the interests of the electorate is diminished. And this
is what Lee apparently prefers - to act on his convictions, unfettered by the
need to meet different interests.
This preference is part and parcel of Lee's autocratic-paternalistic leadership
and also a manifestation of his open disdain for politics. Faced with
controversial issues such as the revision of the Sejong City plan and the project
to clean up the country's four major rivers, Lee's approach has been to squelch
dissenting voices by claiming that these are historic projects, projects that
will determine the future of the country. By invoking history on his side, Lee
portrays himself as being above politics, while those who oppose his plans do so
for political reasons.
Lee is fond of saying that people may oppose at first, but they will be satisfied
when it is completed, citing the example of Cheonggyecheon restoration which was
undertaken while he was Seoul mayor. Indeed, Lee seems to have a sort of "father
knows best" attitude - do not question me because I know what is best for you.
However, democracy is all about questioning, listening to different voices and
working to accommodate differences. Lee says he wants to better communicate with
the people, but his attempts often end up being one-sided affairs with him doing
most of the talking.
The failure to listen to the people with an open mind was on display during the
nationally televised town hall meeting last Friday. Commenting on the opposition
to the four rivers clean-up project, Lee said that he believes many of those who
are opposed to the project oppose despite knowing better. On the Sejong City
revision, Lee emphasized the need to act with a sense of historic mission.
Dismissing those who oppose as opposing just for the sake of it and calling upon
history on his side, Lee effectively shut out opposition voices.
At Monday's meeting with the Grand National Party leaders, Lee went further,
saying that the four-rivers project cannot be a subject of political dispute or
controversy. However, controversial issues must be debated and discussed, not be
removed from the public discourse.
It is well-known that Lee harbors contempt for politics. However, the office of
the president requires that Lee be a politician. One of the first steps toward
becoming a good politician is to listen - to really listen to what the people are
saying with an open mind. Lee should also bear in mind that that he was elected
to office and remains duty-bound to the electorate, regardless of whether he can
seek reelection or not.
(END)