Getting with it?

By Bernard Rowan

The second year of President Park Geun-hye's five year term is drawing to a close. Last year, I wrote a frank appraisal ("Get With It," Dec. 24, 2013) in which I criticized the President for sluggishness in leadership, cancellations of campaign promises and "playing it safe" on most issues. I said she had to "get with it," an American phrase meaning to act with focus and vigor. Or more simply said, to stop playing about.

What did we find this year?

President Park, you had a better year. Despite the Sewol calamity and other domestic issues, you marshaled greater focus to do much for the Korean people. Keeping the nation's eyes on foreign affairs played to your strengths. You did well when speaking tall on the North and on cooperation with China. Actions to develop regional leadership in ASEAN and negotiate free trade agreements also counted as successes.

While these actions gained power, you didn't overcome growing shortfalls in many other areas: money matters, income and gender equality, troublesome political partners and reforming conglomerates. President Park, you've too much to do! You're nearly at "midterm" and barely passing. Your popularity has dimmed, and given that conservative style, there's not much you'll do about it unless you adopt greater prudence in political terms.

Looking to foreign policy, President Park, going the way of China shouldn't become too lopsided or overdrawn. After all, America remains Korea's staunchest ally and supporter, and Japan is America's ally ― and yours too. While you gain popularity points by thumbing Abe in symbolic ways, it's a fool's errand to court China against Japan or fail to engage the Japanese economic engine more fully. Neither Korea nor Japan is going to war over Dokdo. I'm sorry. There are much bigger issues of common interest and cooperation to forge.

Economically, it's sadly clear that you won't be a great president. You persistently avoid policies to address economic inequality. Too many young adults have falling expectations. Regional imbalances continue. You don't appear prepared to do much else. Pity that. You turn away nearly half the electorate in this simple way. Not that you're alone. Most recent Korean presidents acted the same. When will Korean mainstream parties understand the need for more robust social democratic vectors in their policy agendas? Banging on about liberal quick fixes hasn't worked for decades because it can't. Korea's income inequality ratings are among the worst for OECD countries. And you try to say "just write it off." Pity that.

You're not serious about reforming chaebol. For every daughter of a magnate who bows her head in shame, most of the leading families continue to collect and reinforce your vision of Korean society and economy, day in and day out.

You faced the Sewol travesty with determination and strength. You continue to unfold reforms and prosecute excesses in sea transport and related industries.

I think Korean leaders, governmental and private, are in a strong position to keep developing free trade agreements with all comers, including China. Your administration deserves praise for working with ASEAN countries. Continue developing this approach of regional leadership.

I also disagree with your critics that it's time for you to engage North Korea. Your unwillingness to accept further military offenses by Pyongyang continues to make sense. Keeping pressure on the North about nuclear weapons may guarantee nothing, but bribing the North never will. North Korea struggles to cover up Kim Jong-un's gout, or whatever it is, and to find Americans stupid or naïve enough to capture or to proclaim their hatred of America for public consumption. Theatrical politics in this case reminds one of a failed version of Nazi Germany. Don't play into it.

Dear President Park, to augment your presidential legacy, you've also got to stop avoiding issues of image about your inner circle. Get your brother to tow the line. His intervention makes you look like a feudal empress who can't control her family. Please stop keeping the leaders of the Korean National Assembly at arm's length. Unless events change, which isn't likely, your power will continue to decrease. Your public image is hurting. Negative trends in image need action, not words.

If bad luck grows, you'll soon face claims of irregularities, perhaps claims of corruption, and calls for investigations. Your predecessors, their associates, and family members all ran afoul of the laws and the law of public opinion. Guard carefully against this trend with the Korean presidency.

Finally, if disunity among your advisers persists, you should turn out some folks. Bring in some more of those who supported your candidacy and still support you as president. Many people in Korean society could easily do a better job for you. Change betters rest.

Getting with it? President Park, has the presidency gotten you? In 2015, don't let obvious opportunities get away. Happy New Year!

Bernard Rowan is assistant provost for curriculum and assessment, professor of political science and faculty athletics representative at Chicago State University, where he has served for 21 years. Write him at browan10@yahoo.com.