[Editorial] What We Hope for New President Roh

Selection of candidate Roh Moo-hyun of Millennium Democratic Party indicates that the majority of citizens want some change. In other words, they want a Korea different from what it had been. The new wave will gulf up the whole society, making a great noise. That is why we show an ambivalent feeling of expectation and anxiety. We do need reforming our nation. At the same time, however, we are not sure at what speed and in what manner the reform should be conducted. In a heated neck-and-neck race, Roh won the victory by a slim margin. What he has to do first is to relieve the anxiety and fear that more than half of citizens have, who did not support him in the election.

There is one thing we should point out to begin with. It is one thing that we supported Roh as next candidate. But it is a totally different matter whether we support Roh as a token of our endorsement of the Kim administration.

Roh`s victory heralds the end of three Kims` era and a new era headed by a president in his 50s. Our demand for a "young candidate" entails a great change in politics. We know that there are certain limitations. For example, this country is proved to have divided itself horizontally out of regional hatred. How would Roh, the president-elect, overcome these limitations, and maintains the relationship with Kim Dae Jung`s avid followers in Roh`s own party? Roh`s reform depends on the answers to the preceding question.

Another urgent matter to be handled by Roh is the cooperation or agreement with Chong Mong-jun, which Roh himself has defined as an agreement with the voters. The fact that the cooperation was terminated on the eve of Election Day does not justify Roh for leaving that matter unattended. Especially Roh and Chong agreed to amend the Constitution in order to share power with each other. With this issue left unaddressed, it might throw the whole nation into a political chaos, if it got involved with the general election that is scheduled to take place in 14 months.

We will also closely watch how his ideas about economics and North Korean policies will take shape. It is necessary for Roh to ponder over the Korea-US relationship that has been soured over two Korean girls killed by US solders. Now Roh is president-elect, not just a candidate. Roh should recognize the real existence of the United States. He might consider visiting US in the near future.

Roh should understand what the nation wants from him. We hope he could heel and seal the wounds and cracks in our society that have been caused by differences between people of different ideologies, regional loyalties, generations and social classes. We are in the middle of uncertainties for future, but are dying to see changes being made. It does not matter who in what class or region supported him. He has become the "supreme leader" of this nation. Thus, it is his duty to brace even those who opposed him, and induce cooperation and harmony with them. In other words, he should coordinate all citizens through offering dreams and visions for the future.

Moreover, he, the winner, should first make himself humble and accommodate the loser to open a new era of harmony. Encouraged by the victory in the election, he should not attempt to artificially change the current political status, nor should he suppress the losers. 5 years are not so long as might feel. Roh should realize his enthusiastic supporters might hinder the fair execution of his duties as president.