Two leaders who represented Korea have left us. They are Roh Moo-Hyun, the former president whose suicide shocked the nation, and Dae-Jung Kim, the former president who passed away because of disease. They made mistakes like previous presidents. But their contribution to the people and the nation will keep them as the most memorable presidents.
How did they govern our country? Let's check out some appraisals of their policy through interviews with professors.
Prof. Jae-Ryoung Lee, College of Humanities
President Kim achieved the change of a regime with public power. He overcame the IMF and made a foundation for the knowledge of an information oriented society that will become a growing power in the 21st century. Even if there were complications in South and North Korea's relationship, through meeting with a North Korea's leader, he made an important result as removing the threat of war between the nations and reduced the negative term of "Red Complex" (called North Koreans people as communists).The Nobel Prize that he received was recognized internationally. So, Korea's global credit rose and recognition of Korea also rose rapidly. However, there was an insufficient aspect concerning communication with the anti-north conservative power. Although the financial disadvantage of North Korea was a problem with the reciprocity principle, it needed to be paid as a necessity in the long-term view. Also there was a loss of national wealth because of too excessive neo-liberalistic economic policy.
President Roh broke away from authoritarianism in Korea. He also re-evaluated the mistakes of the past and made an effort to improve South-North Korea's relationship. But there was confrontation with the conservatives and the gap between rich and poor increased. Besides, because the political inclination flowed toward popularism, the political agenda did not appear clearly. In an overall view, Kim's and Roh's governments have founded democracy under the long-term centralizing system after liberation and they accomplished a qualitative improved period. Therefore, I think their 10 years aren't just the 'Lost 10 years.'
Prof. See-Jun Han, Dept. of History
President Kim improved the relationship of South and North Korea through his 'Sunshine Policy.' However, the present government thinks that the Sunshine Policy just helped North Korea to develop nuclear weapons. Actually, the nuclear problem has existed since the 1970's. In other words, it's meaningful that he was the leader who thought his nation's first priority was the relationship between South and North Korea. But during his term, he couldn't resolve the conflict between the provinces in fact it became even more excessive . Nevertheless, I'm sure he was a qualified person as a national leader.
President Roh was also a great leader like president Kim. He tried to make an Equal Policy and Local Equilibrium Policy too. Furthermore, he made an effort to communicate with young people through the Internet. But it's a pity that he couldn't convert his policy into action, as it was rejected in the National Assembly and he couldn't pass national policy. Of course, it's not that he couldn't join forces with the Grand National Party, but that he was really concerned about his country. He could have taken a step backward to achieve a big gain. But it is sure that leaders like president Kim and Roh appeared for the first time in Korean history and they were true leaders who sacrificed themselves for the nation.
Prof. Sang-Wan Shim, Dept. of Spanish
President Kim's main policy was the 'Sunshine Policy.' In the past, our country wanted to have a relationship by oppressing North Korea. He approached North Korea with this new policy. Thanks to this, the relationship has softened, but from my point of view, this policy has failed. Pointing out the error, we treated North Korea ingeniously. We've been investing around 1 trillion won, which means we just helped them to develop the nuclear weapon. If there was a present, there should been a present given in return, but we just gave things away. I think if the Sunshine Policy were put into action according to North Korean's attitude, it would have brought a better result.
Former president Roh propelled the 'De-Authoritarianism.' But this brought conflict between parties and did not solve local feelings. He also tried to move the capital administrative to another city, but it caused the opposite effect. The KTX metro is an example. In conclusion, former president Roh had good aims in his mind, but he couldn't impalement them as he had planned.
You can recognize that the appraisals about two presidents have pros and cons. However, we must know that they sacrificed themselves for the nation and the public. We lost the two stars which drew the attention of history. We must not forget their death as just a moment of condolence. Thinking about their life, we should open a new page.
Dae-Seung Go dkherald@gmail.com