[Deputy Director Column] Lee Nak-yeon Needs a 'Story'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] What moves people is the heart, and the heart is often captivated by stories. A story is a world in itself and a force that has driven human history. In the 'forward direction' from barbarism to reason, and from self-interest to understanding and consideration, the empathy that stories provide must have played a special role. When encountering incidents and accidents in the news for the first time, they may be perceived simply as numbers, but it is only after engaging with the stories contained within that one experiences a chilling sensation in the heart.

In an era where stories are integrated even into buying and selling products, it goes without saying that in politics, where winning people's hearts is paramount, storytelling is essential. The basics of a story that provides fun and emotion are subversion and twists. The fight between David and Goliath is etched into humanity because the victory of the underdog and the thrill it brings contributed to it. After all, the majority are the weak and live oppressed lives. Stories that are unlikely to happen in reality are all the more attractive.

In politics, the term 'wind' is often used alongside stories. The case of former President Roh Moo-hyun is dramatic. Although he was a lawyer, he was a dirt spoon who did not graduate from university and had a weak political base; his comeback drama clearly demonstrated the power of storytelling. Simply put, the public cheered for a game that was not predictable.

Lee Nak-yeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, maintains an 'unshakable first place' in polls measuring suitability for the next presidential election. His serious voice and demeanor, along with logical coherence, provide a sense of stability. During his time as Prime Minister, his calm yet strong responses to opposition party lawmakers earned the trust of Democratic Party supporters. Within the party, many perspectives likely focus on how to maintain and develop Lee’s dominant position.

The problem lies in the story. It is often summarized as "born in Jeonnam, graduated from Seoul National University’s law school, and a former Dong-A Ilbo reporter." His first job was at Korea Investment Trust. His life path, like his style, appears stable. However, the public desires not only stability but also novelty and vision. So far, there have not been many new stories from him that inspire dreams.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung stands in contrast. A brief sentence describing his past is: "He worked in a factory, obtained his high school equivalency certificate, and then became a lawyer." Despite various personal allegations and political attacks, he ultimately survived, and his approval ratings have risen to the point of threatening Lee Nak-yeon. His seemingly tumultuous life story and his boldness toward the future, regardless of personal likes or dislikes, are reasons why people pay attention to him. He continuously creates topics by proposing basic income followed by basic housing.

On the 27th, during a meeting with former lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum, Lee Jae-myung said, "It seems like the path that President Roh Moo-hyun took. Personally, I really respect him," and Kim responded, "Thank you for continuing to nurture seeds of hope for the people and residents who are facing difficulties due to COVID-19." They reportedly discussed 'Roh Moo-hyun’s path' and 'hope for the people,' and also noted "a commonality in starting politics in Gyeonggi Province despite being from Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK)." Some speculate about the possibility of an alliance.

Lee Nak-yeon’s path is shrouded in fog. It is natural that being ahead now does not guarantee crossing the finish line first. He is likely reflecting deeply on how he is perceived by the world. The public wants a vision that will change the harsh reality. If they have been watching 'sternly,' now they can hope for stern but powerful decisions and execution. From the Democratic Party’s perspective, competition is necessary for excitement. Above all, productive competition among ruling party presidential candidates will benefit the people. We wish them good luck.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.