Posted May. 30, 2003 22:03,
A special presidential advisory board held a symposium. In the symposium, participants severely criticized the Roh administration and its handling of the nations priorities. It conveys a very significant meaning to us. It is indicated that even intellectuals are considered to have the same "code" as the Roh administration in viewing the current crisis in the administration seriously. Korea University professor Choi Jang-jip, who once served as presidential advisor in the Kim Dae Jung administration, threw a question of how we could sever the chain of enthusiasm and disappointment. His question presupposed another chain had already started.
Professor Choi pointed out that, if the Roh administration had intended to pursue the political reform to overcome regionalism, it would have been wrong. His criticism warns the possibility that the lousy reform drive might end up where it started. The Roh administration blames the press for all the wrongdoing occurring in this democratic society. Experts believe the blame-attribution has arisen out of incompetence and wrongful understanding of the role of the press on the part of the Roh administration.
In addition, Korean Labor Institute researcher Lee Jang-won proposed that the Roh administration has tried to resolve various social issues through political means, rather than tools for policy, due to the lack of a crisis-management system. His analysis pointed directly to the core of social problems endlessly being reproduced in society.
We have seen over and over again President Roh and his administration attempting to resolve social disputes through political power. President Roh, for example, sat with prosecutors to ease their anger over the promotion. Recently, a presidential aide talked directly with the teachers` union to appease their opposition over adoption of the NEIS. Under these circumstances, it is no wonder why Deputy Prime Minister of Education, without any hesitation, talked about political decisions.
Professor Cho Chung-kwon argued for reshuffling of the cabinet to shed it of incompetent ministers and Blue House staff members, and was quoted as saying, "We can`t practice forever." His remark compresses the conclusion of the symposium. The Roh administration should listen to the friendly advice of its own men.