[Editorial] If Only Those with the Same Mind Get Together

Some people are attracted to President-elect Roh Moo-hyun’s straight and not sophisticated speaking style, while others feel worried about that. When a person makes a speech without a script, it could be full of life, but sometimes, it could create a stir.

As for the advice to include those with different opinions in his fold, the President-elect made remarks at a debate on national policy held in Daegu that it could be difficult to put in practice. These remarks were made in line with his typical rhetoric. It is interpreted as being intended to stress the new government’s reform-mindedness. As Mr. Roh said, to put those with different opinions, whose interests are different and who come from different political background, in a government could contribute to decreasing administrative efficiency. However, at the same time, we should take precautions against collective thinking, which could occur when people with the same mind get together. Korea’s modern history of politics shows a lot of cases in which those from the same political spectrum and with similar way of thinking discussed policies and made mistakes because of lack of inside verification.

When the president declares that he will not induce those with different views into his camp, cabinet members cannot dare to suggest ideas different from those of his. At an atmosphere where government workers cannot but remain silent not to be branded as those with different views, the "Debate Republic" which Mt` Roh declared, cannot be established.

The analysis is that even within the conservative Bush administration, hawks like Vice President Dick Chaney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and doves like Secretary of State Colin Powell coexist for a balance. The same goes for President-elect Roh’s transition team, in which those with administration experiences support reform-minded professors. Mr. Roh and Goh Gun, candidate for the premiership, who did not have walked the same political line, can be good partners to mix reform and stability well.

We hope that as he said, Mr. Roh play "big politics" by selecting figures with expertise among those with different opinions and listening to them.