By Bernard Rowan
The Korean presidential election went off without a hitch, thanks be to Tangun! With his convincing victory and high voter turnout, Moon Jae-in has a clear mandate to carry out his platform and a welcome beginning in these first weeks of his presidency. The public shows relief and joy in the results of this important exercise in democracy. Moon also claims a Korean version of the Kennedy effect. Korea's political culture reflects a maturity beyond its years to have overcome the impeachment and related turmoil. The interim presidency also showed much courage, as well as the transition in power now completed. Dedicated citizenship reflected the faith of Korean people. Leaders showed restraint and maturity. South Korea continues to impress students of constitutional democracies. Today a new moon rises.
The Moon presidency encourages progressives to hope for several changes. Economically, the best policy for reform and control of conglomerates awaits writing. Most voters hate the corruption and skirting of laws showed by too many magnates. However, Koreans depend on income and wealth from chaebol. Control of transactions, transparency of accounts, and rules on interlocking companies and directorates should occur for the 21st century Korean context.
Moon has promised also to reform the Korean constitution to create an American-style presidential term and possibility for a second. Five years versus eight years? I'm not sure this matters a great deal, but it's for the Korean people to decide. One reason I'd dare to mention is that of late, American presidents spend too much time in their first term campaigning and preparing to campaign for the second. Something's wrong when presidents campaign and substitute rhetoric and style for proven results. Beware this pitfall of reelection possibilities. What of a single six or seven-year term?
About North Korea and security relations, Moon suggests a wish to talk with and to engage North Korea. Good luck with that. I'm sure he can succeed, but Pyongyang uses such overtures for its own benefit as a short-run strategy. Moon will reaffirm a more mature, as in evenly regarded, alliance with the United States. The South is ready to assume more command and control for joint military matters. He should press Trump to allow that creative space to come to pass. I fear that his presidency also will see the need for even further investment in offensive and defensive weapons. Nothing in the wind predicts detente with the North.
Most progressive candidates wax on about the importance of improving welfare for the poor, women's interests, and next steps for the elderly. Most end with window dressing. Here's hoping the Moon government takes a hard look at the conditions and needs of these key Korean demographic groups and has the initiative to follow major policy proposals about them.
Even more so, Moon must address the needs of Korea's young adults. Many commentators point out that young people face high expectations, but little happens to improve their possibilities. A more competitive society and narrowing opportunities discourage those who will carry South Korea to the latter part of this century. Their prospects are for less income in real terms, less wealth, and fewer children, just for starters, unless conditions change.
The Moon government needs to aim for next generation technologies for clean and renewable energy. So far, too little of the advanced world has done anything much to anticipate replacements for dirty and expensive fuels. Start the investment in Korean research for technologies that will form the basis for a new set of industries, companies, investors, and businesses. Lead the region and world in this important area of concern.
I'd like to suggest Moon pivot between China and Japan, developing trade policies and relations of peace with each that address Korean interests but also recognize the interests and needs of China and Japan. Doing so takes nothing away from Korea's partnership with the United States. The pivot to Asia wants more South Korean leadership, since under Trump there will be a greater need to approach two-way relations with an open and practical spirit.
A new moon is rising. May its light continue to remove the recent night of doubt and despair and shine a path to even greater peace and prosperity for the people of South Korea. Fare thee well, Moon Jae-in!
Bernard Rowan is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University. Reach him at browan10@yahoo.com
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The Moon presidency encourages progressives to hope for several changes. Economically, the best policy for reform and control of conglomerates awaits writing. Most voters hate the corruption and skirting of laws showed by too many magnates. However, Koreans depend on income and wealth from chaebol. Control of transactions, transparency of accounts, and rules on interlocking companies and directorates should occur for the 21st century Korean context.
Moon has promised also to reform the Korean constitution to create an American-style presidential term and possibility for a second. Five years versus eight years? I'm not sure this matters a great deal, but it's for the Korean people to decide. One reason I'd dare to mention is that of late, American presidents spend too much time in their first term campaigning and preparing to campaign for the second. Something's wrong when presidents campaign and substitute rhetoric and style for proven results. Beware this pitfall of reelection possibilities. What of a single six or seven-year term?
About North Korea and security relations, Moon suggests a wish to talk with and to engage North Korea. Good luck with that. I'm sure he can succeed, but Pyongyang uses such overtures for its own benefit as a short-run strategy. Moon will reaffirm a more mature, as in evenly regarded, alliance with the United States. The South is ready to assume more command and control for joint military matters. He should press Trump to allow that creative space to come to pass. I fear that his presidency also will see the need for even further investment in offensive and defensive weapons. Nothing in the wind predicts detente with the North.
.jpg/dims/resize/84/optimize)
Most progressive candidates wax on about the importance of improving welfare for the poor, women's interests, and next steps for the elderly. Most end with window dressing. Here's hoping the Moon government takes a hard look at the conditions and needs of these key Korean demographic groups and has the initiative to follow major policy proposals about them.
Even more so, Moon must address the needs of Korea's young adults. Many commentators point out that young people face high expectations, but little happens to improve their possibilities. A more competitive society and narrowing opportunities discourage those who will carry South Korea to the latter part of this century. Their prospects are for less income in real terms, less wealth, and fewer children, just for starters, unless conditions change.
The Moon government needs to aim for next generation technologies for clean and renewable energy. So far, too little of the advanced world has done anything much to anticipate replacements for dirty and expensive fuels. Start the investment in Korean research for technologies that will form the basis for a new set of industries, companies, investors, and businesses. Lead the region and world in this important area of concern.
I'd like to suggest Moon pivot between China and Japan, developing trade policies and relations of peace with each that address Korean interests but also recognize the interests and needs of China and Japan. Doing so takes nothing away from Korea's partnership with the United States. The pivot to Asia wants more South Korean leadership, since under Trump there will be a greater need to approach two-way relations with an open and practical spirit.
A new moon is rising. May its light continue to remove the recent night of doubt and despair and shine a path to even greater peace and prosperity for the people of South Korea. Fare thee well, Moon Jae-in!
Bernard Rowan is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University. Reach him at browan10@yahoo.com
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