Matured political culture is expected more than ever

Rep. Kim Sung-gon, a four-term Democratic lawmaker, urged the opposition lawmakers that “even if the contents of the President’s remarks were not satisfactory, please show at least some minimal respect to the president because it is a matter of our national prestige.” Preceding President Park will deliver her parliamentary speech next Monday, this is a refreshing statement. He asked lawmakers to stop political stifles and be respectful to the president who were elected by earning votes from more than half of the Korean people, at least during the speech.

The issue of not being respectful to a president is not just a matter of the current opposition parties. The situation was not that different when the Saenuri Party was the opposition. Back in 2003, when former President Roh Moo-hyun came to the National Assembly first time after his inauguration, only few then-Grand National Party lawmakers rose from their seat. In 2008, when then-President Lee Myung-bak came into the National Assembly, Democratic lawmakers neither applauded nor rose from the seat. Opposition lawmakers’ being disrespectful to the president is not an indication of clear mandate.

Democratic lawmakers had fierce debate Wednesday at the party’s general meeting over how to respond to the president’s parliamentary speck. Some suggested wearing a black suite or black tie or scarf in the session. However, Rep. Yoo Ihn-tae, who was a senior presidential secretary for political affairs during the term of President Roh, prevented a collective action by saying, “It is common courtesy to rise when a state leader comes to the room. It is ridiculous to wear a black tie or something. It should be done on a voluntary basis.”

The Democratic and Republican Parties in the U.S. conflict with each other for every single issue, but they act in a bipartisan manner when the president comes to the Congress. When President Barack Obama addresses the Congress, both Democrats and Republicans welcome him with applause. During the State of the Union, the Congress hall erupts in applause. The president is applauded by lawmakers from both parties while walking to the podium. Rep. Joe Wilson was severely criticized by the Republican leadership after he said “liar” to President Obama when he reiterated the importance of health care reform bill during his congressional speech in September 2009. Even a resolution was passed in a bipartisan manner to condemn his disrespectful remark.

If the ruling and opposition parties rise altogether and welcome the president in the National Assembly next Monday, the Korean people will be able to see the matured aspect of Korean parties. For people who are fed up with the never-ending political stifles, this will become a piece of good news.