Ha Tae-kyung: "The Virtue of 21st Century National Leaders is the 'Courage to be Hated'... Must be Humble to Facts"

Presidential Candidate Relay Interview ⑩ Ha Tae-kyung, People Power Party Lawmaker
"Ending 20th Century Outdated Politics, Firmly Opening a New Conservatism"
The Only Science Background Presidential Candidate in People Power Party
"Appoint a Civilian Defense Minister to Improve Closed Military Culture"

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Lee Hyun-joo] "Democracy is about recognizing opposing forces and compromising. But the current ruling power says they will get rid of them because they are troublesome. 20th-century politics is acting as a shackle that hinders 21st-century progress."

Ha Tae-kyung, Member of the People Power Party./Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

On the 19th, Ha Tae-kyung, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, raised his voice in an interview with this publication at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, saying, "I will end the outdated politics of the 20th century." He criticized, "The major tasks of the 20th century were independence, democratization, and industrialization, but the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party of Korea are still conducting campaigns to eradicate pro-Japanese collaborators," and emphasized toward his own conservative camp, "They keep talking about reds and election fraud. I am determined to open a new era of conservatism."

Among the People Power Party presidential candidates, who are mostly law or economics majors, Ha is the only science major (Seoul National University Department of Physics). He explained that he has internalized humility toward the laws of nature and facts and letting go of his stubbornness. He said that once you let go of stubbornness or inertia, you can see things differently. Perhaps because of this attitude, he does not hesitate to raise controversial issues. For example, the joint military service system for men and women, abolishing ineffective birth promotion policies, and including public officials and teachers in employment insurance are such issues.

Especially vocal about sexual harassment issues within the military, he also pledged, "I will appoint a civilian Minister of National Defense." Ha said, "The Ministry of National Defense is an administrative agency, not a military institution, so a civilian administrative expert should take charge," adding, "Only then can the closed culture and other issues be changed."

Ha Tae-kyung, Member of the People Power Party./Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Having transformed from a former activist to a conservative politician, he revealed that he has "changed sides twice." Ha said, "I recognized the problems of the existing left after observing changes in the socialist camp such as the Soviet Union and changed sides, and after entering the National Assembly, I communicated with young people and admitted that I was an old-fashioned person." He added, "Being able to resonate with the younger generation is also a kind of conversion and innovation," and said, "Through close communication with young people, I know best what the 21st-century challenges are."

Upon running for president, Ha cited "the courage to be hated" as the most important virtue for a 21st-century national leader. He said, "Citizens inevitably have to bear burdens in a rapidly changing environment, so politicians fall into the temptation of populism," and added, "The courage to boldly step forward even if criticized is necessary for 21st-century leaders."

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