[Editorial] Time for a New Start for Lee Administration

A massive number of Koreans have turned their back on the Lee Myung-bak administration, almost reaching a critical point. The streets of downtown Seoul are bustling with people participating in candlelight vigils day after day. Those who took to the streets in protest against U.S. beef imports have begun to chant anti-government slogans. According to a survey conducted by research firm Realmeter, the approval rating of President Lee Myung-bak has nosedived to 16.9 percent. Some 64 percent of the respondents said that the candlelight vigils should continue. The ruling Grand National Party suffered a crushing defeat in Wednesday’s local by-elections, clearly showing the level of upset of the public with the Lee administration, not to mention its beef policy.

However, Cheong Wa Dae is absolutely ignorant of the reality. Even though the administration may need more than a major reshuffle of the Cabinet to appease growing public fury, it is rather busy denying the possibility of a major shake-up. The administration appears to be goofing off because it has to do things it doesn’t want to do. Perhaps it has deluded itself into believing that the decreased number of protesters over the past few days indicates the government’s regaining of public trust, when in reality it was mainly due to heavy rains. All of this raises grave concerns about the government’s ability to recognize problems and overcome crises.

Lee Myung-bak must fully accept the current situation which is headed not only for confusion in state affairs, but also for a possible collapse of government. The people have shown their distrust in Lee’s leadership itself. Unless he overcomes this situation, it will be impossible for him to lead the country properly. Lee is the one who has to change first. He should show his improved leadership by drawing out measures that can revamp the government and win the hearts of the public.

The current crisis was triggered by the beef issue, but the origin of the problem can be traced to the president’s personnel decisions. In the eyes of the people, the majority of Cheong Wa Dae’s high ranking officials are rich, lucky, unethical and incompetent people. Take a close look at them. Do they deserve respect from an ethical point of view? Are they reliable enough to be entrusted with state management? The people are clearly saying “No.” The public’s lack of trust in top government officials is leading to distrust in the government. It is essential that public servants place priority on national interest before their job security or career. However, the public have not seen one presidential aide risk their post to speak plainly to the president.

Governance requires the leader to convince the people that he or she can lead the state in a desired direction. This process may inevitably result in conflicts and confusion. However, it is important to note that Cabinet members and Cheong Wa Dae officials are the ones responsible for preventing such conflicts and confusion from occurring and for solving or alleviating them when they do occur. However, the current crisis clearly illustrates that they have failed to do their duties. Lee has avoided taking full responsibility, calling the situation “a drill.”

If the president cannot be changed, at the very least his personnel network should be amended. The prime minister is the first Cabinet member that should step down and all of the problematic ministers, as well as the chief presidential aides, should be replaced. Although this will incur a considerable cost, this is a time when the cost must be paid.

The question is who will replace outgoing officials. If the current situation is deeply rooted in opposition to the Lee administration and his policy lines, Lee should find people who can help the government reach a consensus with the people through dialogue. He should appoint people who are not only competent and ethical, but who can also draw public trust. He should also appoint top professionals in each field on major posts in order to build trust on state management. He should distance himself from his loyalists. Lee Bang-ho and Park Hyung-joon, who were rejected by the public in the April parliamentary elections, are rumored to replace the agriculture minister and chief presidential secretary for political affairs, respectively. If this is true, the Lee administration is still unaware of the seriousness of the current situation. Those who have recommended them are the ones who should be removed from their posts before anyone else. Haven’t they learned a lesson from working with the irresponsible, incompetent and idle people around them? If the new shakeup fails, the Lee administration will have no more hope of being rescued.

The GNP should also seek a change and throw away its outdated way of thinking. From the people’s perspective, the GNP is a group of overprotected high class citizens. Its lawmakers are seen as irresponsible, lazy, and visionless. Although GNP Chairman Kang Jae-sup said that he will humbly accept the outcome of the by-elections and take this setback as an opportunity, he cannot move people with such a cliché. It is time for Lee Myung-bak and the ruling party to make a completely new start.