[Editorial] The President Who Ignored National Opinion
President Roh Moo Hyun expressed, at a meeting to greet the New Year held in the Blue House yesterday, that he once desired to rise in the people’s opinion, but completely abandoned such a wish last year. He also thinks it will be better not to be so concerned in 2007. He added that the last thing that is left is his pride. This statement indicates a new resolution and mixed emotions of the president whose approval rating hovers around 10%. However, it is possible that different interpretations can be made on the authenticity of the disregard for national opinion that was revealed by the president himself.
First, it can be viewed as expressing the president’s intent to carry out the national administration according to his convictions, without caring for the public voice one by one for the rest of his tenure in office. In other words, it means that he would not pursue a vote-catching policy that takes advantage of the trend of the times, and not become now optimistic, now pessimistic depending on the changes in the national approval rating. Such point of view on abandoning the ratings is not to be criticized. Nevertheless, the dramatic expression is such a disappointment considering the weight and the significance of the words ‘the national evaluation.’
On the other hand, the president’s comment can be interpreted by the nation as going his own way, ignoring public criticism. In that sense, discounting national opinion is not much different from ignoring the nation. It also implies the exclusion of communication with the people, which is a source of concern due to the president’s insolence, which has been pointed out, and his self-righteousness. If the president, who was elected by the people, decides to disregard the national evaluation, the current political system, the presidential system, results in skepticism.
The president stated that he wishes to do his best during the last year of his tenure in office and would exercise legitimate authority until the end. This is certainly reasonable. However, national administration and the exercise of authority should not be something that is estranged from the desire of the people. The evaluation of the nation is the popularity.
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 / 입력시간: 2007. 01.05. 08:14
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