It is very worrisome that President Roh Moo-hyun doesnt seem to recognize the seriousness of the ruling partys defeat in the most recent local election. A forum with government officials who are in charge of public information in each ministry was held last Friday, in which President Roh said, The Partys defeat doesnt determine the future of this government. It is not that important. President Roh, who disappointed people by saying right after the election that even though I accept the outcome of this election as the reflection of nations will, the policy direction of this government wont be changed, this time, refused to concede the election defeat.
Some ruling party members see the election defeat as a result of Roh administrations poor performance during its term (three years and three months have been passed). According to a survey conducted by Dong-A Ilbo targeting 37 ruling party members, eight respondents said, The president should be responsible for the election defeat, while 20 respondents said, This is the responsibility of both the ruling party and the president. Despite this, Roh doesnt accept the partys defeat and declares he will stick to his current political direction.
Rohs obstinacy is seriously worrying people, making it difficult to see any improvement in the nations policies that have made the peoples livelihood worse.
When people waited for him to make remarks about his responsibility for his partys election defeat, President Roh, all of a sudden, said, The political structure, culture, institution, and perception determine the nations future. Even though Rohs rhetoric to dodge critiques is his infamous strong point, his point that the peoples poor political attitude caused the partys defeat is completely absurd. Roh is a man who said that people are president, and this is the greatest choice, when voters elected him as president and the ruling Uri Party gained more than half seats of the National Assembly after Rohs impeachment scandal hit the entire nation.
Roh seems to make no effort to resolve conflicts that have escalated since his assumption of the presidency, and he has aggravated such conflicts further now. If the president doesnt concern himself with the outcome of this election, it is almost impossible to see the implementation of any political reform on the basis of peoples intention expressed through this election.
A president who doesnt consider public sentiment cant carry out his duty effectively, thereby increasing the cost the nation will pay. Rather than questioning the peoples political level, it is a time to question the capability of the president.