[Editorial] Best Way to Achieve Reform Lies in Governance

President Roh belatedly scolded his cabinet members for their lack of impetus in the face of the truckers` strike. This should have happened earlier though `better late than never`. President Roh snapped, "It`s not what a minister is expected to do! I think all government workers are doing nothing but idling around!"

His statements reveal to us the reality we wish to avoid. Not long before, President Roh expressed his concern that his administration was repeating the same mistakes that held back the previous Kim Dae Jung administration. This case demonstrates that his concern is becoming true.

In fact, the previous two administrations chanted "reform" all throughout their terms. Now, however, the Roh administration is repeating the same, meaning that the past decade failed to enact reform, or merely ended up in total failure.

South Koreans do not see any accomplishments made from past reform drives. Among others, one factor lies in botched-up prioritization of national agendas, and the other in the gap between goals and reality. This time, government ministers did nothing until the President pointed out the seriousness of the problem. This is an example of the former. The latter shows government workers idling around.

Failed prioritization leads to confusion in governance and overall non-performance. Right now, the nation is facing its largest problem in the economic sector. Nonetheless, the Roh administration cares and worries less about it. We see the warnings everywhere. For example, every college graduate has to beat out 83 other competitors to get a job. In addition, the Roh administration is showing a lukewarm attitude toward resolution of the North Korean nuclear crisis and teachers` union activities. Watching this attitude, South Koreans are uncomfortable and at ill ease.

The gap between goals and reality is causing the the reform drive to drift away from us. Politicians are busy with their own agendas. They just care about who will take intra-party power, and who will be included in the new party.

Under these circumstances, the sounds of empty chanting for their participation can be heard all throughout parliament. In addition, "ordinary" government workers are not volunteering for reform efforts. How can we expect reform to plant itself in society?

Everyone understands we need reform in this nation. Reform, however, will never be a reality when "national management" fails. Successful governance suffices to bring about successful reform. Reform should start with correcting all disorder and ill effects that currently run rampant throughout our society. This is a lesson the Roh administration might want to take a look at.