[Opinion] Forward Constitutionalism Beyond Regionalism

The primary, in order to select Presidential candidate from the ruling party and the opposition was conducted for the first time after constitutional government started.

And it is significant as it showed possibility of advanced democracy.

The ruling party selected Presidential candidate by members, breaking from conventional way, which decided him through inheritance system, and the opposition progressed the primary though the leader`s abandonment of the vested rights, therefore, it upgraded level of our democratic politics one step up.

However, the biggest democratic achievement gained through the primary is, above all else, the possibility of political and regional unification, outgrowing political regionalism by Yongnam, Honam province.

Through this primary, the probability of solving out military culture and ingrained political regionalism, which was dominated by three Kim for nearly 40 years since 1960 was raised.

The first beacon of exploding regionalism was sent up at Gwang-ju primary on 16th March.

Candidate Roh who didn`t have any relation with this region ranked first surpassing candidate Han Hwa–Ghap, who had strong basis and relations in this region.

In primary of GNP in Youngnam province, regionalism lost its power and fell down.

Candidate Lee Hoi-chang, who didn`t have any relation with this region won overwhelmingly from candidate Choi Byeong-Ryul and Lee Sang-hee, who had relations with this region confirmed his position as Presidential candidate of the opposition.

The British historian, Edward H. kar stated in his book, `What is history`, ¡° There is significant failure in history. There are things so called delayed victory in history¡°

Collapsing high walls of regionalism between Yongnam and Honam in this primary, is `delayed history`, what kar said.

Breaking regionalism means that there will not be any disadvantage to some people only because they are inhabitants of particular region.

However we can`t say that our democracy has advanced fully by this only.

Former U.S president John F. Kennedy stated in his inauguration address on 20th January 1961, ¡°if democracy is not able to help major poor people, it can`t keep minor rich, either¡°.

It means that it should not sacrifice minor rich for the sake of major poor people`s advantage, or should nor hurt major poor people for the sake of minor rich people`s advantage.

No matter which political party resumes office there should not be any classes which takes preferential advantage or harm, and social value and opportunity should be given to all people and group equally.

And such equality can be achieved through completion of rational law and establishment of constitutionalism.

When fair `rule` can settle in our whole society through establishment of constitutionalism, we can achieve advanced democracy and economy, based on people`s reliability regarding President and government.

Establishment of constitutionalism that I am stressing here doesn`t mean omnipotence of law which caused the vice of bureaucracy.

Required law for maintaining social order, protecting basic rights and national competitive power is needed at least; however, unnecessary law which can be an obstacle for those should be withdrawn or revised.

Thereby, I am concerned about negligence regarding constitutionalism, which is spreading in our society.

Needless to say about illegal group or powerful individual, frigidity regarding illegal conduct in order to pursue private advantage is spreading even to common people.

Illegal behavior is due to corrupt mind.

If law of one nation becomes subject of fear to the social weak and becomes rubbish to the social strong, conventional corruption and privileged power, preference of our society, can`t settle.

Certain group of economy.labor.interest of today belongs to the social strong group.

Government should do its best in constitutionalism and system so that the social strong group doesn`t disobey major people`s advantage.

Presidential candidates of the ruling party and the opposition should lead meaningful political confrontation with regard to how they can settle democratic and constitutional nation in this land, rather than battling endless disposure or personal attack by disclosing rival`s weak points.