[Opinion] Tears in President’s Eyes

It was in the Kwangju World Cup Stadium. The game moved on to the penalty kick shoot-out, after the long, tough 120 goalless minutes. President Kim Dae-jung showed up on TV at important moments. The moment Lee Woon-jae blocked the shooting of fourth kicker, Joaquin. The moment the winning penalty came from Hong Myung-bo, when red wave engulfed the Stadium in joy. His face was closed up, showing joy and his unique facial features: awkwardness and purity. His eyes seemed wet.

Previous day (i.e.June 21, 2002), his second son was locked up for corruption charges. His third son had already been put behind bars for same allegations. Thus, President Kim apologized through his public statement, “I am the one to be blamed for all of these. I feel responsibility, and feel sorry for being unable to say only ‘I’m sorry.’” Listening to his apology in trembling voice, some felt even petty for him.

He showed two totally opposite appearances before the public. One day, he appeared as a father, whose tears were due to his agony for his two sons behind bars. The next day, his tears came out of joy of victory. All through his life, he has gone through tumultuous times more than anyone else. He had to undergo, yet again, the “trick of life” in just two-days.

People may have found familiarity from his image on the winning day against Spain. On the contrary, when he made the apologizing statement, they may have discovered how humble he looked. His statement was just on time, regardless of its truthfulness and intentions in announcement. The zeal for the World Cup easily put his apology behind all gossips.

In fact, President Kim was not short of numerous historic achievements in comparison with ex-presidents. He successfully steered this country out of the economic crisis. For the first time in history, he visited Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, and had a summit Kim Jung Il, his counterpart in North. And the summit got him the honor of winning the Nobel Prize. In addition, this World Cup has been successful in operation and the Korean team’s unbelievable advance to the semifinal. Any of these events would have been enough to mark him as a respectable president. All of these are literally historic.

But the facts are not in his favor. No incumbent president in the world would have witnessed his two sons put in prison. Tourists from other countries might think high of his determined will against corruption. It’s a real paradox. It is not because he wanted them behind bars. He simple couldn’t help it. He has let corruption spread rampant in society.

For the past four years, President Kim has thought only of greatness of his presidency. He engaged his mind solely in becoming the “reunification president.” That goal blinded his eyes to common affairs in life. The aim also dulled his alertness against corrupt guests frequenting his own house. As a result, his post-presidency life is far from that of glory. His figure as an elegant, prepared president at inauguration was a story in past tense. His charismatic power faded away, too. All we can make of him is an old man, for whom the daily operation of a country is far beyond his ability like when an old man climbs up a high hill. No energy or enthusiasm seems left in President himself and his administration.

Think about the World Cup again. Why is the whole nation is crazy about it? In short, the Korean Team has not let down the public. Expectation and fulfillment of it pours out, in harmonious synergy, unthinkable volume of energy.

If we could expect something out of President and this government! President Kim will have to put behind all of his historic achievements: the summit, the World Cup and the Nobel Prize. Nonetheless, it is his duty to make endless efforts in planting hope in people’s mind. Also should be followed his performance up to the expectation.

The game for President Kim is yet to be over. The Korean Team laid foundations for victory when it was just before the end. Against Spain, the longed-for victory did not come even at the end of the periods. Victory came in the penalty kick shoot-out. The remaining 8 months in his presidency may not be long, but enough to give him a second chance.