[Opinion] NYD = Self Substitution

After column, `debt of Rhee In-je`, that requested apology for disobeying primary to candidate Rhee In-Je was published in Dong-A newspaper (30th January, 2002), many letters and phone calls for encouragement came.

There was only one phone call that protested on the above.

I presented those facts after receiving protest from candidate Rhee In-je side.

I added that it would be better to accept the opinion as it is advice for candidate Rhee In-je.

The opposite person answered, “only some particular person think like that”.

I reached to conclusion that it will be difficult for candidate Rhee to win in the primary as he doesn`t know people`s mind.

After all, he became the main person who raised Roh wind more by plotting theory, colorist, which didn`t earn consensus of people.

The reason why politicians can`t read people`s mind well is not only because of politician himself but also because of the Press.

The press is field of public opinion.

Candidate Roh Moo-Hyun said that if people`s opinion is like wave, public opinion is like a tide.

As there is obvious reason for a tide and we can predict its direction, it means that public opinion is reliable.

And he stated officially that he will seek public opinion on `new democratic unification`, which promotes reconciliation of DJ and YS.

After candidate Roh was selected as Presidential candidate of MDP, the press published editorial and columns to insist unfairness of `re-unification of democratic power`.

It is really right.

The problem is whether candidate Roh will accept public opinion, which was conducted by the press or not.

I am concerned how persuasive the advice of press is, as it couldn`t estimate Roh wind, and analyze its reason too.

Seeing insistence of candidate Roh`s `new democratic unification`, even he doesn`t understand the reason of Roh wind himself either.

Therefore I would like to suggest read `victory with Seoul` which C.E.C Ahn Cheol-soo, who is respected, wrote.

We can find out three common points as there is venture mind behind victory of candidate Roh and C.E.O Ahn.

Firstly, they prepared their future by choosing suffering without adhering to short-term profits, and they were prosperous as they had wise eyes to see future, which is not visible to others.

Secondly, they didn`t compromise on things which were countering their principle as they have strong pride.

Thirdly, they didn`t follow achievement but pursued belief and worth which they believe was right, therefore they succeeded.

Therefore, `new democratic unification` looks far away from such previous behavior.

In fact, local elections are effected by regionalism unlike general elections.

Therefore unification with YS can be helpful to candidate Roh.

However, it is what C.E.O Ahn realized, “temporary victory is always the reason for fatal failure”.

Although he won local elections, it doesn`t mean winning the major elections and extracting some members doesn`t bring preferable result to major elections.

In 1992, general elections after the fusion of three political parties, Mingung party, which was main party of the fusion, was defeated and new party, Kookmin made rapid progress.

Although members were shifted, people didn`t follow them.

C.E.O Ahn says that it is time to change when we feel that enterprise has developed.

And when we change, we should concentrate on the core capacity.

If candidate Roh truly wants political reformation, he should develop his core capacity.

Core capacity of candidate Roh is two.

One is that he kept his belief and the other is he considers progressive stance as compared to other candidates.

People seem to want more progressive policy than protecting policy of MDP members, with regard to issues like welfare, controlling the plutocrats and relationship with the U.S.

Candidate Roh should state what his stance is.

If he conceals his political stance fearing colorist, he can`t maintain support of people.

Currently, support base of candidate Roh is middle class.

He couldn`t attract the populace which in fact can receive advantage by policy of candidate Roh.

Achieving unification between the middle class with the populace persuading them should be kernel of political reformation, which candidate Roh is trying.

There can be mistake in criticism of the press, as it is progressed by people.

However, how they accept and develop the criticism is purely the role of the one who accepts.

Cho Gi-sook (Prof. International Post School of Ihwa Women`s University, Politics)