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Ahn Cheol-soo’s arrogant criticism of President Park

Posted April. 28, 2016 07:26,   

Updated April. 28, 2016 07:31

한국어

On Tuesday when the president held a meeting with executive editors of major news organizations, Ahn Cheol-soo, co-chairman of the opposition People’s Party, reportedly told Rep. Park Jie-won, ”President Park Geun-hye would not know what quantitative easing is? Hahaha, well….” He also told his party’s co-chair Chun Jung-bae that someone who knows nothing about economy is sitting in the presidential office…. (She) does not know economy but is just stubborn. Ahn made the remarks at a workshop with newly-elected party members for the 20th National Assembly. The way he spoke was sarcastic and ridiculing, rather than seriously critical of the president.

This writer does not know how knowledgeable Ahn himself is. An assessment of Ahn by someone who is well aware of both economy and Ahn once described him, “Ahn only developed a computer virus vaccine after working as medical doctor. He can hardly understand economy. I know very well how (little) knowledgeable he is because I had talks with him many times. He is not that honest.” This is what Kim Jong-in, chair of the Minjoo Party of Korea who once was Ahn’s mentor, openly told reporters in February. We wonder what Ahn would have felt upon hearing this comment.

The head of an opposition party is entitled to criticize the president. However, a politician who dreams about becoming president should criticize logically by using words of dignity and elegance. In fact, what Ahn said is closer to talking behind someone’s back at a drinking party, rather than criticism of the president by an opposition leader. Formerly a five-term lawmaker who engaged in parliamentary politics for 14 years, President Park had worked for related standing committees on economy, such as the Strategy and Finance Committee and the Industry and Energy Committee. Ahn has relatively little political experience. He served as lawmaker for four years, but is aiming to run for the presidency. We wonder whether Ahn still remembers people who would criticize him by saying “He knows nothin.”

Ahn, who seemed to be inherently humble, might have become arrogant when he seized power in the 20th National Assembly as his party made great strides in the April 13 general elections. When Ahn faced criticism for the remarks, his party’s spokesman made an excuse for him by saying, “He meant to say (the president) was irresponsible to suggest the measure of quantitative easing rather than accepting a crisis (her administration faces) and taking responsibility.” Wouldn’t it have been better if Ahn apologized by himself by saying, “I was a bit negligent and off guard.” We were expecting Ahn would be somewhat different from other politicians, but what he did this time was disappointing at best.



이진녕 jinnyong@donga.com