[Editorial] Urging a Dramatic Gov`t Reshuffle

Tomorrow will mark the 100th day of the Lee Myung-bak administration. As the days pass by, social turmoil is mounting. President Lee’s approval rating is down to 20 percent, and protests against the resumption of U.S. beef imports show no signs of waning. Around midnight yesterday, protesters tried to march toward the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, but disbanded in the face of police water cannons. Originally ignited by the decision to resume U.S. beef imports, the protests are now criticizing the failures of the administration. But no one in the government has come forward to assume responsibility.

It seems imperative for President Lee to overhaul his top lieutenants for a fresh start. Why the entire nation is engulfed in this turbulence is not understandable. Had the president’s top aides and Cabinet members done the jobs they were supposed to do, would the country be in this situation? The answer is no. Basking in the power they enjoy and lacking the abilities their jobs require, they failed to handle the situation in the proper manner. All senior aides and ministers including Prime Minister Han Seung-soo should resign to offer President Lee an opportunity at a fresh restart.

Prime Minister Han, for example, has never publicly given an explanation to the people despite the worsening situation triggered by the public announcement of the beef import conditions when the president was in China on a visit. Senior presidential aides reportedly started inspecting the rallies in person to understand the protesters’ demands, which unfortunately came way too late. Protesters began to demand President Lee’s resignation from May 2. But the aides apparently failed to report this reality to the president, showing they are cowardly, irresponsible and incompetent.

The objective is not just to appease public anger. The future looks gloomier with them in office assisting the president. Without rooting out those whom the people consider immoral, incompetent and arrogant, the administration will not regain public support.

But lack of leadership is not limited to the ruling party. Opposition leaders are focusing only on partisan interests. The situation is instable in this transitional period. If the public demand for the entire Cabinet to resign is granted, who will take responsibility for the ensuing chaos? The leaders must take responsibility and share the burden. They have to minimize the country’s turmoil, or Koreans will not forgive their politically motivated actions later.