[Editorial] Economy Neglected Ahead of General Elections

Although the three-day Lunar New Year’s holiday starts from today, people heading toward their hometown seem to be somewhat worried. It is because the nation’s economy is in a slump and its prospect is not promising.

President Roh Moo-hyun’s has already pledged six times this year to put his utmost efforts to revitalizing the economy. But his words do not seem convincing. All the politicians in power, including President Roh, seem to be only concerned with the upcoming general elections in April. Although President Roh mentions the economy and public welfare during official meetings, he has been revealing his strong desire to win the general elections during private meetings. Rumors also relentlessly raise suspicions that senior officials of the Cabinet and Cheong Wa Dae will resign form their posts to join the general elections. And in the meantime, the Uri Party overtly presumes mobilization of senior figures for the general elections as a definite fact.

Senior government officials should endeavor and concentrate on revitalizing our economy while maintaining stable, consistent, and sustainable policies. But some officials’ heads are apparently up in the clouds as they have already made up their mind to run in the April election, and those officials who have not yet made up their mind must be having a hard time to concentrate on their duties as the ruling party or the president may force them to leave their posts for the election.

We can not say that President Roh’s wish for the ruling party to win the general elections is absolutely wrong, particular at the present time since the opposition Grand National Party has a majority of seats in the Assembly. However, the president should not inordinately cling to the general elections as the president’s involvement in the general elections could escalate controversies and the nation’s pending issues may be overlooked. The president’s excessive involvement would also make the government policies resort to populism due to the elections and likely harm the vitality of our economy.

President Roh should not inordinately put all his energy into the outcome of the general elections. Above all, he must take care of the nation’s pending issue. President Roh should seek to get the people’s judgment based on his performance as the nation’s chief. And the president should be reminded of that the general elections are less important than the nation’s welfare and economy.