[Editorial] Politics not for Chong Wa Dae but for the people

The Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) had its national convention on Thursday to elect members of its supreme council through a free, intra-party competition. The new members of the party`s ruling hierarchy will be formed with the resolve to become the driving force for the second phase of President Kim Dae-Jung`s tenure. Under ordinary circumstances, we would certainly not hesitate to extend our congratulations to them together with our hope for their initiation of new politics. Regretfully, however, our present political realities make us ill-disposed to congratulate them.

There are mounting criticisms against the ruling party because many people regard that the present total failure of our state affairs, as well as social paralysis and uncertainties, were originally generated by the problems inherent in the ruling party. Although the MDP tried to assure the nation of its chivalrous, fresh start, the people are cynical and ignore such gestures. The people even do not hesitate to make sarcastic remarks by asking: "What is the use of holding the national convention when the MDP as a ruling party has rendered itself utterly incapable of resolving the political stalemate?`` The opposition Grand National Party`s silent protest march to Chong Wa Dae on the MDP`s convention day can be viewed in part as a reflection of the people`s cynical attitude

toward the ruling party.

Why is that so? It is due to the ruling party`s lack of courage and resoluteness to lead politics and to preside at its center. The party`s every endeavor was fraught with flaws by making things worse and more complicated. Yet, it appeared unconcerned about resolving the situation. Rather, the party has given us an impression that it is indulging in partisan bickering as well as winning insignificant political quarrels.

The party is also failing to show its concern to reflect the people`s opinions in its policies despite the fact that the public opinion is turning against it because of its failures to settle the medical strikes, economic uncertainties, and heightened distrust over the government`s moral transparency. The party has given only lip service to political reform, but it resorted to old, underhanded politics by railroading a legislative bill without any feeling of remorse. It ignored the public`s demand to apologize for the blunder of its railroading legislative passage. The last straw is that the party has given the general public sufficient grounds to suspect that it has unlawfully intervened in the National Election Commission probes of campaign spending. The party`s brazen attitude was its resort to a partisan strategy to attack the forces critical of its unlawful intervention.

The general public has now come to think that the MDP, since the 16th National Assembly election, has become a party without any sense of right direction, in a state of confusion and that has no will for reforms. The MDP is exclusively managed by a few powerful elites within the party. Its intra-party democracy appeared remote with its sole goal, so it seems, to gear party politics toward Chong Wa Dae instead of the people`s interest.

This may sound rather harsh for the MDP as it sets to make a fresh start in the wake of the national convention by electing its new leaders. It`s logic of excuse for the political failures may be, "It takes two to tango," in its attempt to put the blame to the opposition party. This will, however, get the ruling party nowhere but only denotes its shortsightedness. A ruling party in a democracy is presumed to assume unconditional and unlimited political responsibilities. It also has the political obligation to maintain the political system, law and order through rightful ways and means.

The excruciating and painful repentance of the ruling party must come forth if it is serious in its intent to resolve our political stalemate which is so entangled and complicated as to defy any easy solutions. In no way will this political standoff be resolved unless the ruling party is prepared to apologize for its mistakes and to thoroughly investigate any suspicions connected with the ruling powers, no matter how steep a price it may have to pay. The MDP`s new leaders must bear in mind that no reforms will be possible without the party first completing the process of self-reform.