[Opinion] Promise of President Kim Dae-Jung

President Kim`s Promise not to intervene into the party politics and the party`s decision of the Presidential candidate, distancing himself from the partisan politics, has received a positive responses. Many citizens share same thoughts as President that he can concentrate his best attention to the 3 major projects (strengthening the economic competitiveness, stabilizing the civil welfare system, and improving the Inter-Korean relationship) and the 4 major events next year (World Cup, Asian Games in Pusan and the Asia-Pacific Paralympics, Local government election, and Presidential election).

Such decisions made during his resignation from the party`s presidency are in fact a promise to the people. If he keeps the promise, he will be President who completes his presidency with an honor, leaving a lesson to the people that "while political regime is short lived by a term of office, but not for a motherland." he stated.

However, in terms of `promise` President Kim has failed to obtain the people`s trust. It is certain that the political machinations and attacks against him might have influenced his credibility. But it cannot be ignored that his political attitudes have provided the reasons for such distrust. It is of no use to mention his political history here again. However, many people who still cannot trust President raise questions about his promise.

They question; "Will he really keep his promise?" or "Can he possibly keep his promise?" The first is a question about his intention and decision and the second is about his political circumstances surrounding him. We have heard of so many excuses from the politicians that they could not keep their promise due to the political circumstances or situational obligations. Therefore, people are questioning what is the true spirit of President, watching over the surrounding situation.

To keep his promise, President Kim, first of all, has to free himself from the temptation to extend his regime. He must make himself as an `administrative President` rather than a kind of an `imperial President` who controls all the political matters. He needs to be a mediator and a coordinator for non-partisan national administration by disconnecting his old political connections. It may not be easy but it is the only way to keep his promise.

However, what is the state of current situation? Is it possible for President, who has gone through all the thorny roads to reach the top of power with one more year to go, to empty his mindset now? Could he let go of his power without reluctance, calmly looking back at his fading authority? The political attachment of President Kim is extraordinary. To change his mind is never an easy task.

Furthermore, President Kim is not free from the political situations surrounding him. The royal races to acquire of so-called `Kim`s attention` have not change at all before and after his resignation from the party`s presidency. There are some people who argue for the total de-colorizing of DJ from the party or for alternative measures to overcome DJ but every group including Donggyo-dong circle, the reformists groups, and the mid-reformists recognizes that nothing would be possible without having `Kim`s attention`.

Even if President tries very hard to stay calm and concentrate on the national administration, the lures from the party`s sectarian groups to call attention of President and the basic will-to-power of President Kim may not allow him to maintain. Hence, his regency from behind the veil is anticipated even after his resignation of his party`s presidency.

In addition, the Grand National Party will stimulate President Kim. The reformist policies that the DJ administration has concentrated on are already tripped up by the opposition parties. The local government and the Presidential election may drive the ruling and the opposition parties to a zero sum game. What would President do then?

Frankly speaking, chances are much high that President reappears on the political stage at the season of the local government and the Presidential election. If this scenario is played out, his promise will turn out to be another lie.

The road for President Kim to keep his promise is thorny and long. Nevertheless, Korean people hopes to see President survive through the thorny path.

chansoon@donga.com