[Reporter’s Notebook] Why President Moon Needs a 'Plan B for State Affairs'

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "President Moon Jae-in is very fortunate to have an opposition party." This saying circulating in Yeouido politics is a bitter criticism aimed at both the ruling and opposition parties.

If the opposition party had presented a clear presidential candidate and raised expectations as a governing party, the leakage in the Moon administration's state affairs might have been even more fatal to the ruling party. The reality that the leading presidential candidate of the pan-opposition is the current Prosecutor General appointed by President Moon is a point the opposition should seriously reconsider.

Although this is somewhat obscured by the opposition's situation, crisis signals toward the ruling party are detected everywhere. It is not merely a matter of fluctuating approval ratings. Following Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, harsh criticism from the ruling party is also continuing against Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung. Whatever the reason, isn't this a symbolic scene of undermining independence? Was the promise to guarantee independence for criticism, checks, and surveillance of power just an empty word?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

What about the recent appearance of the National Assembly? The Democratic Party of Korea, based on the power of 176 seats plus alpha, has embarked on a my-way path. The passage of real estate-related laws such as the Housing Lease Protection Act on the 30th is just a rehearsal.

When the regular session of the National Assembly begins in September, major bills favorable to the ruling party are expected to pass smoothly. Is this the image of a "working National Assembly"? Shouldn't we painfully accept the Justice Party's bitter criticism that it is a "National Assembly that only does what the ruling party wants"?

The ruling party must never forget that it bears unlimited responsibility for state affairs. If side effects such as a rental crisis occur after real estate legislation, all responsibility must be borne by the ruling party. The four consecutive nationwide election victories?2016 general election, 2017 presidential election, 2018 local elections, and 2020 general election?are both a medal and a shackle for the ruling party. The overwhelming election victories mean the "loss of a protective shield." The burden of state affairs has increased, but the momentum is shaking.

Is the Blue House planning to wait defenselessly for the "lame duck fate"? Shouldn't it consider a "Plan B for state affairs" through a bold change of thinking? What if it reflected the opposition's policies and proposals in state affairs to an extent that would surprise them?

A scene never experienced in Korean politics, a president practicing cooperation, naturally moves public opinion. Does the Blue House know that this is the right time to revise the course of state affairs, at a time when keywords like arrogance and unilateral rule of power are spreading?

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