[COLUMN] Good and Mild Leadership

By Heo Nam-jin Posted : September 12, 2017, 09:55 Updated : September 12, 2017, 09:55
 

[Courtesy of the Blue House]



Trump, Xi, Putin and Kim Jong-un have something in common. Everyone is crafty and has a thick skin. What about President Moon Jae-in? At first glance, he seems to be straightforward and honest. President Moon looks mild and innocent like a sheep. It is far from the image of a muscular wolf or a cunning fox. A columnist commented that President Moon has a sense of honor and keeps his righteousness and selflessness. It is a wonderful heart. But In the age of global upheaval and brutality, when you fight against the tough 'gangsters', it is indeed a fallacy. The column leads us to feel uneasy as if seeing a schoolboy surrounded by neighborhood gangsters.

The government's diplomatic and security policy has been drifting since its inception. The policy of 'peaceful solution through dialogue' has become unfruitful due to Kim's ignorance. Meanwhile, Kim is uncontrollable in his push for missile and nuclear provocations, followed by the sixth nuclear test. The international community, including China, condemned North Korea's behavior and called for sanctions, but its effectiveness remains questionable. It is hard to expect the effect of international sanctions as long as China, which is North Korea's lifeline, maintains a dual attitude. China, on the other hand, has stepped up its South Korea-bashing over the deployment of a THAAD system. The US attitude is also unfavorable.

The government has already abandoned dialogue and calls loudly for pressure and sanctions, but neighboring countries do not pay much attention. In the meantime, the Korean peninsula was in a serious crisis. Nevertheless, South Korea, as a key party, has reached the point where it can not use hands.

The question is whether there is a card we can put out when North Korea is judged to have crossed the red line. I think of a gag that someone is completely robbed after giving up one by one with an empty threat: 'If you cross this line, I will not let it go.'

How could it be? Some blame the government's ideological bias and amateurism while others say that the fragile constitution of the foreign and security team is the cause of turmoil. The situation is becoming more severe. Tactical nuclear weapons are being discussed in South Korea, and tensions in neighboring countries are also rising. From now on, we must line up for battle and show a solid and firm stance. If our diplomatic inexperience is recognized, I think it's time to start a comprehensive reexamination and recruit the men of talent.

The row over a US missile shield called THAAD is attributable to an ambiguous attitude that caused China's misunderstanding and anger. Most opponents are classified as pro-Moon supporters. A dominant theory is that decision-makers missed an opportunity because they were conscious of them. It is a painful error that can not be repeated.

When the challenge from the outside comes to a head, the most important thing to watch out for is an internal struggle. However, there is a concern about a sign that the ideological conflict will be amplified, along with demands for the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons. Political fighting for partisan interests in front of national security should not be tolerated. This is where the president's leadership is desperately needed. President Moon, who pledged politics of dialogue and cooperation at the beginning of his inauguration, should urgently fulfill his promise.

Recently, progressive media, which strongly criticized the deployment of a THAAD system, received an intensive online attack. The interesting thing is that the subject of critical comments is not the conservative group but Moon's fan club called 'Moonpa'. Those who were sympathetic 'comrades' in the candlelight vigil and the presidential election blushed their faces this time.

As fan clubs, they are absolute supporters of President Moon and at the same time they claim to be apostles of justice. Their indiscriminate online attacks are bloody and cause serious damage. It is considered to be the main culprit of social conflict. In 'The Story of the Greeks', Nanami Shiono, a Japanese novelist who is famous for 'The Story of the Romans', said, 'People who admit that they stand on the side of social justice themselves become fanatical and prisoners of attention.' I hope 'Moonpa' will listen.

I hope that President Moon will be able to come squarely with the strongmen of the powerhouses with his fearful diplomacy like a tiger with a mild look, using our public integration as a weapon.

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