Criticism Mounts Over Roh’s Remarks

“I am worried about next year,” President Roh Moo-hyun said on Thursday during a meeting of the National Unification Advisory Council.

President Roh’s speech, in which he expressed his worries for 70 minutes, created a stir in political circles, raising concerns over his remaining one-year tenure.

President Roh was furious when he mentioned former defense ministers and a few presidential-race hopefuls. At times, Roh clenched his fist to hit the podium and used strong words to condemn them. For instant, he said, “They are imprudent,” and “my appointment of him was a failure.” Meanwhile, quite a number of the public who learned about the president’s remarks were at a loss, saying President Roh may trigger a major crisis.

“I’ve realized that the one who has conviction and consciousness always loses in the political arena. However, I will do what I have to do to make a change, even if it brings retaliation,” President Roh said. Experts say that his remark heralds rough sailing for the remaining tenure.

President Roh clearly expressed on the day that he will handle the administration without compromise, even though the public opinion is against his decisions.

An increasing number of politicians, scholars, as well as the general public are raising their voices, saying that President Roh must stop making remarks that cause split in national opinion and quietly carry out his administrative duties.

President Roh Moo-hyun’s approval ratings were 5.6 percent, according to a recent survey by a media firm. President Roh must humbly accept the fact that a majority of the people oppose his management of state affairs.

All former presidents suffered from the “lame duck” phenomenon in the last year of their tenure and do not fully engage in politics. However, President Roh is stubbornly trying to handle state affairs all his way until the end.

“President Roh Moo-hyun says that he respects Abraham Lincoln. But his government is opposite to the “government of the people, by the people and for the people,” said Eo Soo-young, honorary professor of Ewha Womans University. “President Roh must get rid of his self-righteousness and stubbornness during the remaining one year and realize a democracy that listens to the public opinion,” Eo added.

Meanwhile, senior members of the Korea Retired Generals and Admirals Association gathered in downtown Seoul to express strong regret against the president’s remarks and demanded explanations. President Roh said, “Former defense ministers should be blamed for the absence of the army’s command control. They were pleased with their title or stars, but didn’t do anything,” President Roh said.

Goh Kun, former Prime Minister, also struck back at President Roh, who called him a “failure of personnel management.” Goh, who made a statement Friday, criticized the president, saying the remark is “mired in self-contradiction.”

In this regard, Yoon Tae-young, the spokesman of Cheong Wa Dae, said, “President Roh’s remarks did not specifically target at Goh. He did not judge about Goh’s personality, ability or his achievements at that time.” In addition, a presidential secretary for public information said, “President Roh’s frankly talked about difficulties in integration and dialogue between conservative and progressive groups in our society on Thursday. It’s nothing more or less.”

yongari@donga.com