Differing views on former presidents by candidates

Ahn Cheol-soo, a former IT guru who announced his bid for the presidency this week, visited Seoul National Cemetery as his first official schedule and paid his respects at the graves of former presidents Rhee Syng-man, Park Chung-hee and Kim Dae-jung and former prime minister and POSCO founder Park Tae-joon. This is in contrast with Moon Jae-in, the presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic United Party, who visited only Kim`s tomb four days ago. Park Geun-hye, the candidate of the ruling Saenuri Party, went to the graves of Rhee, Park Tae-joon and Kim as well as that of former president Roh Moo-hyun in the latter`s hometown of Bongha, a village near Busan.

Ahn said he is running for president to achieve “new politics.” The first task of new politics, he said, is overcoming the politics of disintegration and hatred. Pledging to wage a different type of campaign, he said, “It is hypocritical to call for integration while turning half of the people into enemies.” Korean society is divided into a group that represents the country`s foundation and industrialization and another that stands for democratization. They create a confrontation that causes disintegration and hatred instead of harmony. Former presidents Rhee and Park represent the foundation of Korea and industrialization while Kim and Roh stand for democratization. Ahn showed that embracing them all is part of his plan for integration and new politics in his visits.

Candidate Moon commented on Park Geun-hye’s visit to the graves of former presidents Kim and Roh, saying, “It is desirable for this country’s integration.” He has often urged a change to the country`s culture of hatred and competition into that of co-existence and integration, but snubbed going to the graves of former presidents Rhee and Park. “Integration is possible only if the perpetrators express sincere regret over the past, and if so, I’ll visit their graves anytime,” Moon said. There is a big difference between Park Geun-hye and Ahn in their views on national integration and former presidents. The people should decide who is right.

Ahn said, “If history has achievements and mistakes, we should try to make succeeding achievements and correct mistakes.” This reflects his philosophy of history and ideology. All of history has a bright and dark side. So do the histories of former presidents Rhee, Park, Kim and Roh. People have a different take on the share of their achievements and mistakes, but to highlight mistakes only and exclude opponents is wrong.

The Republic of Korea has experienced the national foundation, industrialization and democratization. Though not perfect, the country has achieved freedom and democracy and its economy is among the world’s top largest economies. Had Korea been missing of the three elements of foundation, industrialization and democratization, its unprecedented development would have been impossible.