[Opinion] Choice and Concentration

It`s already the beginning day of autumn. The hot weather is still scorching the field but it will come to an end pretty soon. While Mother Nature teaches the lesson that everything that blossoms shall decay but the human being are the only ones who never realize it.

Han Kwang-Ok, the Chief Secretary to the President, reportedly said to the officials of Cheong Wa Dae at their monthly meeting, ``A deep well means nothing if water does not spring.`` It seems like a lesson for more efforts, encouraging to dig a little deeper to eventually find water. It sounds good if the little more dig would bring it to the completion.

The koan of the President Kim for this summer vacation was known as `choice and concentration` to give priorities to such tasks on which the government concentrates all its ability as the economic stabilization and the strengthening of the national competitiveness, abolishment of the corruption, educational reformation, harmonious labor-management relationship among many others. It sounds good for the completion.

It seems tantalizing that the old President has to struggle with the koan, `Choice and Concentration` even at his 3 day summer vacation. However, since all the issues are connected to each other so closely, it is difficult to single out a specific issue to deal with. For example, the corruption must be abolished to increase the national competitiveness and, the economic stabilization could be accomplished with the peaceful labor-management relationship. Since it seems too late for the government to set a new koan or to make new choices, the government has to concentrate on the completion of the projects that are still on the process.

Digging little deeper for water would not be blamed. Choice and concentration sounds good. However, it is very questionable whether the little more digging could help for the completion of reformation and whether the choice and concentration would effectively work in the current `hostile division` of the Korean society in sharp two parts. Therefore, the most urgent choice should be the integration of the divided society. It should be a koan to concentrate even though it cannot be accomplished in a short time.

First of all, the President must meet with Lee Hoi-Chang, the president of the Grand National Party. The meeting would not solve every thing but possibly a beginning to resolve the destructive confrontation in the nation. It seems to be a good time to meet with Mr. Lee Hoi-Chang who just finished his summer vacation with a conclusion to mover forward to the national integration rather than the exhausting political aggressions.

If one meeting does not produce any fruit, the both leaders must meet again and again. If they cannot make an agreement, they should compromise. That is politics. If the hard-liners keep saying ``how come we trust them? Isn`t it too passive? We are on right side, just move forward!`` it would be a misfortune not only for the President but also for the people and the nation.

The explanations and the analyses about the current situation have been well made by the disputes of the political circle and lots of polemics. However, one thing is very clear. No matter who won the power at the next presidential election, they would never be free from the hostile conflicts and confrontations. In such case, no matter who becomes the President, nothing would change for most people.

To embrace the divided South is more urgent mission of the President than to change the Prime Minister and some other staffs or to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il.

Without converting the distrust and hate into the mutual respect and understanding, there would be no water no matter how deep the well is dug. Even though the President gave a priority to the government projects and concentrates on them, without the support of the majority of the people, their efforts will probably end without fruition.

The inescapable mission to the President is the democratic integration of the people. That is priceless. The way to the re-gaining of power would be found in the new mission. If President Kim concentrates on the `integrating leadership` for the rest of his duty, that would be the best choice. The Fall is right around the corner.

Chun Jin-Wu (Editor)

Chun Jin-Woo youngji@donga.com