Conservative Leadership School Opens

The “New Right Mokmin School of Politics” held its opening ceremony on February 2 at the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) building in Yeouido, Seoul. The school’s goal is to nurture conservative leaders in Korea.

“Conservatives have been criticized by the public because they have only enjoyed benefits without giving anything back to society in return,” said Reverend Kim Jin-hong, the school’s principal and the chairman of the National New Right Association (NNRA). “Through the Mokmin School, we can now nurture conservatives to serve the public.”

Founded by the NNRA, the Mokmin School of Politics is a permanent educational institution modeled on the “Leadership Institute,” an institution for fostering conservative leaders in the United States.

From February 3 to February 5, the Mokmin School of Politics will hold special lectures by four Americans, including Dan Hazelwood, who served as an electoral advisor to Republican candidates in three U.S. presidential elections. Starting next week, it will start courses such as “Leadership for Local Government” (class limit: 60; fee: 900,000 won), “New Right Leaders” (class limit: 70; fee: 300,000 won), and “Campus Leadership” (class limit: around 60; fee: 300,000 won).

Some 100 “New Right” activists, including Director Kim Jung-ho of the Center for Free Enterprise (CFE), Professor Na Sung-rin of Hanyang University, Professor Lew Seok-choon of Yonsei University and Lawyer Lee Suk-yeon, will be giving lectures there as well.

The school’s inaugural ceremony was attended by lawmakers Kim Mun-soo, Park Jin and Kim Ki-hyun of the Grand National Party (GNP), Director Lee Dong-bok of the North Korea Democratization Forum (NKDF), other social activists, and some 150 college students. Deborah Fikes, the founder of the “North Korean Human Rights Center” in Washington D.C. was also present.

weappon@donga.com