[Editorial] Expectations and Advice for Bush’s Second Term

In the inaugural address for his second term, U.S. President George W. Bush emphasized the expansion of freedom and the end of tyranny. He expressed strong determination, stating, “The best hope for world peace is the expansion of freedom throughout the world,” and that, “The United States will not ignore oppression or excuse oppressors.” These remarks raise expectations that as the world’s single superpower, the U.S. will continue to lead world changes in the second term of President Bush.

The world is watching the launch of Bush’s second term closely because the U.S. has had significant impact on the world in the last four years after the September 11 terrorist attacks and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Though the U.S. acted in its best interests, world peace and stability were undermined. Regarding the Iraqi war, weapons of mass destruction, the cause for the war, were not found after all. The new policies of the Bush administration should contain some regret over the trials and errors made on a global level.

It is a positive sign that while stressing the expansion of freedom, President Bush has softened on the offensive, stating, “America will not impose our own style of government on the unwilling.” The U.S. should not repeat the mistake of clinging to its unilateral stance and exacerbating division and conflict in the world. The U.S. should use its power with constraint, and listen to the opinions of its allies.

The policy towards North Korea for the second term should be established in this perspective. Now is not the time to provoke the North. Rather, as both nations have reaffirmed determination to do so many times, the U.S. and South Korean governments should do its utmost to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue through the six-party talks. It is good that President Bush did not mention any specific nations while calling for the end of tyranny. I hope this may provide the opportunity to prevent North Korea from placing too much significance on the “six outposts of tyranny” remark made by Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice.

The most desirable solution would be for President Bush to use his State of the Union address next month as an opportunity for a breakthrough in the North Korean nuclear issue. Most Koreans are hoping for a peaceful resolution of this matter.