[Editorial] The Uri Party Choruses “Right, That’s Right”

The Uri Party is one of the pillars that support the current administration’s state affairs. After President Roh Moo-hyun announced “separation between government and the ruling party” last year, the ruling party’s autonomy has expanded, in government-party consultations and in relations with the opposition party.

The Uri Party announced last year, “We should lead the state affairs, and not merely rely on Cheong Wa Dae.” Some call this the “Leading Ruling Party Theory.”

However, these days, the Uri Party says, “Right, that’s right” to whatever the president says. They recite what the president says as if they took notes, and sometimes they even seem like front linesmen.

When the shooting spree happened at the base near the DMZ, the Uri Party’s prevailing response was to hold Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung responsible, and make him resign. However, when Cheong Wa Dae seemed to lean toward having him remain in the office, the Uri Party changed their opinion to “saving Yoon Kwang-ung.” On the issue of Seoul National University’s plan to use essay tests for college entrance exams, the Uri Party seemed to be in agreement until the president said, “It was the worst news,” and then they immediately moved to the stance of “suppress the initial movement” and declared an “all out confrontation.” When the president stated last year that revealing the sales costs of apartments “goes against market principles,” and then recently stated, “The GNP is discussing it, why can’t we,” the Uri Party said they will “actively look into it.” The Uri Party criticized, “The government’s real estate policies have failed,” and have since gone back and forth between expanding supply and restricting demand whenever Cheong Wa Dae seems to change its mind.

National Assemblymen, which is a constitutional institution, seem to have forgotten that their ultimate responsibility is to the people of Korea. They are no different from the ruling party during the authoritarian regime that was ridiculed as “the yes group.” The nation cannot have expectations or confidence in the ruling party, the party that was supposed to lead the state affairs, when they are showing such weak and indecisive attitudes. The Uri Party should fully realize their responsibility for the current administration, which can be summarized into three words: “inept, lazy, and confused.” Under these circumstances, the tired citizens will not be hopeful unless the ruling party uses effective laws and policies to improve the living conditions of the people. The so-called “tour of the livelihoods of the people” will not even be up to par against college students’ rural experience trips when all they do is shake hands, take pictures and pour rhetoric.