[Editorial] Passing the Buck

In the aftermath of its painful defeat in May 31 local elections, numerous analyses and solutions for bitter failure were proposed from the ruling Uri Party. The party’s former chairman Moon Hee-sang suggested that the party be disbanded, if it is the public’s will. Lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan, former Home Affairs Minister and close aide to President Roh Moo-hyun, said that both the president and the party are to blame. Some called for a coalition with former Prime Minister Goh Kun, and others urged for President Roh’s withdrawal from the party.

Amid the ongoing charges, no one was willing to do sincere soul-searching and take responsibility for the loss. All were irresponsible as much as crews on a wrecked ship rush to be saved first with no regard for passengers’ safety.

The Uri Party still remains a strong force with 142 seats in the National Assembly, only nine seats short of the majority. Only one month ago, it pushed ahead with new real estate bills in association with the Democratic Party and the Democratic Labor Party. Such a powerful party has not offered any public apology for its mismanagement. Only Chung Dong-young issued his statement when stepping down from his chairman post after the complete defeat. Even a meeting to decide a succeeding leadership was deferred to June 7.

If the “crews” are reliable leaders, they will look after their passengers first in case of emergency. Crews must stop the captain, i.e. president, from going on the wrong course, even if he absurdly insists on doing so. However, the crew of the Uri Party failed again to show their stewardship at a party representatives’ meeting yesterday. Discussion in search for substantial changes came to nothing, though they hinted at possible reforms in real estate and tax systems.

Reform and accountability were their mantra. However, their commitment to good governance fell fatter than under the dictatorship in the past. Back then, ruling party lawmakers stayed up all night soliciting public opinions and seeking better ways to deal with state affairs in times like the third constitutional revision in 1969 and the democratic movement in June 1987.

Not knowing what its real problem is, today’s ruling party is busy with passing the buck to each other for their own survival. This comes as a bigger disappointment and a source of resentment to Koreans. The party cannot expect to win the hearts of the public no matter how many political reforms it pursues.