[Editorial] Promise For Reformation Should Be Carried Out

The utterance of Kim Joong-Kwon, the chairperson of the ruling New Millennium Democratic Party, reveals his lack of understanding on the national situation. Mr. Kim reportedly said at the meeting with the district chapter secretariats of the 386 generation, ``Do not confuse the public opinion with the people`s sentiment. It is the public opinion [not the people`s sentiment] currently against the ruling party because the press does not stand for us.``

Of course, the politicians must not simply follow the Populism. However, the worse is to ignore the public opinion that reflects the sentiment of the people. The point of Mr. Kim is `the people`s sentiment is Ok but the public opinion is against the ruling party.` Is it true?

At the congressional workshop of NMDP on May 31, the party`s lawmakers poured out: ``Due to the bad sentiment of the local residents, I am reluctant to go to my district.`` ``The bad sentiment is not because of the economic situation but because of the repeated mal-administration during the past three years.`` ``The local residents criticize that the human management of the government looks like a childish play.`` ``The staffs [of the President] are all `Yes-men` and they distorted the people`s sentiment.``

A recent poll shows that only 18.6 percent of the answers picked ``Very good job`` for the national administration of President Kim Dae-Jung. The chairperson of the ruling party seems to close his eyes and ears from the voice of the party`s lawmakers and the public opinions.

The people worry about whether all leaders of the ruling party share the same lack of understanding. If it is so, rightful reformation can not be expected.

It is understandable that the President postponed the pre-scheduled announcement of the reformation measures to concentrate on the matters of the severe drought. However, the postponement should not end up in smoke. The young caucus has specifically insisted the reformation of the human resource pool. The demand is not only of the NMDP young caucus. And, of course, it is not of the distorted public opinion by the press. It is the desperate demand of the people.

The government would rather set a timetable for the announcement of the reformation than postpone it indefinitely. The government also has to provide the reform measures responding to the demand of the people. First of all, the government should read the people`s sentiment correctly and humbly accept it. Even when the rain comes, the people would not support the government, if the measures of the national reformation do not come out.