[Opinion] Vote of Confidence Must Not be Matter of Formality

It is only right that Democratic presidential nominee Mu-Hyun Roh take responsibility for the landslide losses suffered by his party and seek a vote of confidence for the presidential candidacy. It is the promise he made during the campaign for the party nomination for the presidential candidacy. Roh said, “I will accept the decision of the people with respect and shame,” and “The process of vote of confidence will be up to the party officials.”

How they will conduct the vote of confidence is entirely up to the Democratic Party. People will only watch and judge how the Democratic Party handles this issue. What is important is that it must not be a matter of formality. Unless it reflects the will of the people evidenced in the election, people will be once again disappointed.

The clearest message from this election is that the people have rendered harsh judgment on the corruption of the Kim administration such as scandals involving President Kim’s sons. If so, presidential candidate Roh must demonstrate how decisively he can deal with such issues. Roh disappointed voters by not making his stance clear during the election campaign. It cannot be denied that his position was ambiguous, as he remained sidelined at times and critical at another.

In addition, he must look back on the campaign that he ran a spotless campaign as the presidential candidate of a major party. He must examine whether he ran a fair campaign according to his political belief of campaigning on policies. Based on this, Roh must return to beginning in the process of vote of confidence.

This is not only for Roh. Hwa-Gap Han and other Democratic Party leaders must show with action not merely repeat their rhetoric of reexamination and self-reflection. Within the Democratic Party there are demands of seeking responsibility of the leadership or the second party reformation, but they are not interested in the problem within the party. What is important is that they must show the people that the party is, in fact, changing in order to win another chance with the people. Not political rhetoric but true change can change the mind of the people.

It is also important for President Kim to clearly deal with the corruption, including those involving his sons, during his term of office. If Chongwadae and the Democratic Party reverberate that the President has given up his party membership, then the two may not learn from the lessons taught in the regional election and face another misfortune.