[Editorial] Chung Should Clarify What He Thinks

In his keynote speech at a discussion meeting organized by Kwanhun Club, a group of leading journalists, independent lawmaker Chung Mong-joon said, "I want to build a country in which common sense works." His attitudes including this saying at the meeting are difficult to understand "with common sense." His responses missed the intention of questions and his explanation lacked substance.

Though watching the discussion through, we could not understand what he was really thinking of some issues. Indeed, there is a joke parodying his tone of voice. When you listen to what he is saying, which is very vague, you cannot but think that he is not prepared to do the chief executive job or that he has little knowledge about national management.

Even when asked about the Mt. Geumgang project, he irrelevantly started talking about power to recommend cabinet ministers. About the question how Hyundai Heavy Industries` money of 50.9 billion won went into his father`s presidential campaign in the 1992 presidential election, he said, "It was not that too much. That could be right. I remember that the money used was about 30 billion won." Questioned about his plan for the alleged political reform, he gave out-of-the-point answer, saying, "I have no willingness to go hand in hand with those who suppressed human rights and engaged in corruption.

If he did not understand the intention of the questions, he has no brain. If he intentionally missed the point though he understood, he could be not relied upon. Given that he glossed over when he was attacked for his weakness, the latter is more likely.

If he wants to build a country where common sense works, first he should restore public confidence about his words. Mr. Chung should make voters feel that he is saying sincerely. What is required of a presidential candidate is not general ideas but detailed plans and vision for national management and current issues. He should express his own thought, instead of saying what others think.