Achievements from President Park`s China visit

South Korean President Park Geun-hye has received respectful treatment from Chinese President Xi Jinping during her visit to China. President Park observed the military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the Second World War on the Tiananmen tower where North Korean leader Kim Il-sung stood 60 years ago, and came back to Korea yesterday. President Park attended a reopening ceremony on Friday for the Provisional Government Building of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai and looked back on footsteps of the independence movement that Korean patriots had left under the Japanese colonial rule. China has covered all the expenses for remodeling and construction of the building. It would be a gesture to promote friendship by reflecting the past where the two nations stood together to overcome a common challenge.

According to Gallup Korea’s survey conducted between Tuesday and Thursday, President Park’s approval rating jumped to 54 percent. President Park is praised for her prowess in diplomacy as her approval rating has rebounded nine times out of 13 overseas trips. It’s been the way that Park’s performance rating dropped by failed administration inside and rebounded by diplomatic achievement from the outside. President Park didn’t look comfortable while seated on the tower to observe the military parade. As South Korea is getting closer to China, many raise concerns about getting away from the U.S., South Korea’s long-time ally, and Japan, which has a lot to collaborate with. Many South Korean citizens are wondering what President Park thought about while observing China’s parade to impress other nations with its military power.

President Park needs to give answers to such concerns and questions. It is required for her to fulfill the public’s right to know by explaining to the press what diplomatic strategy South Korea will exercise to establish a new landscape in Northeast Asia. Delivering speech at a Cabinet meeting or a meeting with chief secretaries does not make true communication with the public. One month ago, President Park just read a written statement to inform the public of her plans in state affairs marking the second half of her term in office. President Park hesitates to have a meeting with the press as evidenced by the fact that she has had no press conference since the New Year’s press conference last January. If it is not available to hold a press conference, she can invite and explain to the leadership of the ruling and the opposition parties, who represent the public.

President Park may have many plans on how to complete the reforms in four key areas such as labor, public, finance and education, and how to revive the economy which does not show any sign of recovery. These tasks are not something that the president can address by struggling alone. President Park must persuade the public and the opposition party, and ask for their cooperation. The first step of all this is communication. Now is the prime opportunity to start open-hearted communication as approval rating went up high.