[Editorial] Presidential Excuses

President Roh clarified his stance on state affairs, including the bipolarization of society, during a recent internet forum, but said little else, to the disappointment of many.

The president did not present an accurate understanding of reality or a new state affairs agenda. Frankness and self-reflection on his part were nowhere to be found. The forum was more like a chat, with the president busy making excuses instead of having a discussion.

Regarding the economy, the greatest concern of the people, the president pointed to the fall in the number of people blacklisted by financial institutions and the rise of stock prices as evidence that the economy will be all right. “I cannot say when the economy will get back on track, but I can tell you that it is okay to spend money,” he said.

But he did not utter a word on sluggish growth, which is far below the potential growth rate, job shortages, outsourcing of manufacturing industries and other issues that are of great concern to the people. Was he merely trying to avoid controversial issues with his eloquence, or is he really optimistic about the economy?

Real estate prices are rising despite the government’s big talk on the end of real estate speculation. On this issue, however, the president merely urged the people not to underestimate the August 31 real estate measures.

The president seems to be the only one unaware of the fact that it is time to recognize that the measures were wrong, and that we must drastically increase the supply of housing. Experts are arguing with one voice that the real estate issue cannot be resolved if the government views it as a fight between speculators and the government.

Typical populism politics could be seen from the president’s words that the top 20 percent of income earners would be paying for the increase of taxes. An adequate tax burden corresponding to the level of income, based on effective fiscal management, does not seem to ring a bell with the president. Although the president stressed the need to reduce economic bipolarization, he cannot be free from criticism that he himself instigated bipolarization, dividing society.

He also justified the government’s plan to increase the number of government officials.

The people have asked the president to reduce the size of our government, and to use the excess money from downsizing to reduce bipolarization. But when the president answered, “ What do you mean by our government is too big? The size of our government is not even half that of other countries,” people were aghast. Dealing with extravagant budget spending, overlapping administration projects, and the reckless management of public corporations should come before increasing the number of public servants.

The president was not shy about criticizing the media and those who oppose his policies. Regarding the failure of the August 31 real estate measure to produce substantial results, he blamed the media by saying, “It seems that the media wants the measure to fail.” This is hard to understand. Before blaming others, the president should think about whether the Korean people found hope for the future in the debate.