The Beat December 2002

The Presidential Election:
Only One Real Choice
By Darcy Lyons

The Korean Presidential election is almost upon us, and by taking a look at the political landscape we can see that there is only one real choice. December 19th should vault Lee Hoi-chang into power and rightfully so. The Grand National Party (GNP) has proven to be an effective and useful opposition to the scandal-plagued administration of Kim Dae-jung. The hardline stance towards North Korea is the focal point of Lee's platform and this is one of the most important issues facing Korea today.

The Sunshine Policy, while well-intentioned, has been an abject failure on the part of Kim Dae-jung's government. A strong stance is needed by the South and only the GNP is talking about this. Roh Moo-hyun has promised to continue the policy of handing out more and more money and aid in return for empty promises. This has got to stop. Although this is the focal point of the GNP strategy, continuation and actually increasing the economic power of South Korea has always been one of the strengths of the more conservative-minded GNP.

Lee Hoi-chang has stuck to his guns and through tough talk and economic policies more and more members form the MDP and other parties have filtered across the floor to join the GNP. Usually in Korean society people stick together through thick and thin, but as more and more lawmakers see the issues and realities, the realization that Lee Hoi-chang is the best choice becomes apparent. Add to this the fact that the big push between the MDP and Chung Mong-joon to combine forces to fight Lee Hoi-chang shows the desperation the current government is experiencing. There is no real ideological similarity between the MDP and Chung, but combining based solely on the effort to maintain power. Is this the kind of leadership that is needed or wanted for the next five years?

Lee Hoi-chang has toiled relentlessly on the need for economic growth, fairness and removing the taint of scandals that has corrupted Korean politics for so long. He has been upfront and forthright about anything involving himself and that displays levels of integrity and honesty that had been sorely missing up in Seoul.

I don't quite understand how two completely different groups with different ideologies and policies can select a single candidate and still maintain a sense of principle. I am going with the candidate who will do the most for Korea and who in my mind has not sacrificed his principles or his policies for the sake of power. Lee Hoi-chang will, and deserves to, go on to a resounding victory on December 19th.

Can‘t Stop the Shining:
Roh for President
By Madison Brown

The most auspicious result of the upcoming presidential election will be a sure win for Roh Moo-Hyun of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP). His intention to continue to spread Sunshine northwards and to establish an investigative agency to uncover the rampant corruption polluting the highest levels of government are loud, clear, and most of all, believable. Party continuity is of utmost importance in light of the recent admission of Northern nuclear capability. With the possible allegiance between the MDP and Chung Mong-joon‘s National Alliance Party 21 (NAP), success is assured in the elections and for the progress of Korea itself.

Lee Hoi-Chang of the Grand National Party (GNP) promotes his counteractive ideas for making peace on the peninsula by suspending all financial aid to the North. How on earth do they expect to make progress if they refuse to help their brethren eat and stay warm? There is little doubt the South Korea must do the spending to re-unify the peninsula, the North clearly is not in the position to do so. While the GNP refuses to help feed and fuel their impoverished kin, the MDP however, will maintain its “Atmosphere of Peace” and continue efforts for inter-Korean summits, negotiations for non-proliferation, while aiding and normalizing the North into the global market.

Undisputedly, peace on the peninsula is the most important matter on the minds of all the people. However, the MDP pledges to take care of Southern interests with political reform and real attention given to corruption. Revising the constitution that gives too much power to the President, while establishing a watchdog organization for the President, his family and all of the high level politicians. All of these people must declare their wealth under a shiny new anti-laundering law as a measure of “transparent, sound financial order”. The people are sick and tired of lining the pockets of tax evading politicians spending state funds at the country club, living in grandeur and making “contributions” to get their sons out of military service. Roh will see to the democratic and responsible use of state funds for the state, not just the political upper crust.

Roh will clean up domestic economic policies by dumping useless government regulations on corporate activities. Too much money is spent subsidizing private corporations for domestic business ventures that produce on paper only. In layman‘s terms, the 80,000 won hammer can now be purchased at wholesale cost but please retain your receipt. Roh will eliminate the connivance between business and politics by reforming regulations on Chaebol while stepping up funding for small to medium sized businesses.

With Roh‘s intention to maintain Sunshine and reform the unenviable political and economic conundrum, he is sure to win with the backing of Chung Mong-joon. As a further step in the progress of Korea, he will promote the development of an East Asian development bank and an organization of peace and economic co-operation. All of his efforts combined will assure Korea‘s bid to become the center of business in the Far East. Peace, reliable, accountable government and business and further economic development are of maximum importance to the people, and Roh Moo-Hyun will deliver.