[Choi Kyung-pil's Book Column] To the Next Presidential Candidate Ahead of the Election

As the presidential primaries of both ruling and opposition parties begin for next year's presidential election, what policies will be proposed to the next presidential candidates?

The sharp critique of writer Kim Jae-rok, who played a crucial role as a strategic planning special advisor to President Kim Dae-jung in 1997, stands out in (Moa Books). What exactly does Kim Jae-rok want to say to the presidential candidates?

South Korea is experiencing a decline in its national prestige alongside the values of liberal democracy and market economy.

Moreover, amid the unprecedented global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, family, society, and national order are rapidly descending into chaos, and the dreams and hopes for a life pursuing survival and values are fading.

With the world's lowest birthrate and ultra-rapid aging, precious values in politics, society, education, national defense, economy, diplomacy, and security are being shaken to their roots.

As another election approaches, the new generation of presidential candidates must present potential and vision for the future of the nation and people, and realize this through the values and philosophy of liberal democracy and market economy.

It is now essential to go beyond old stereotypes and outdated politics to promote and complete fundamental changes and political reforms that transcend the times.

While candidates running for the presidency stand on the edge, where public support and verification must be decided by voting, the people cannot relinquish their sovereignty.

This is a critical time that requires concrete perspectives to verify candidates and solutions and strategies to approach the public. Now is the time to envision Korea's future through the theory of the next presidential power.

For the prosperity and happiness of this land, it emphasizes what and how the next presidential candidates should do, along with the fact that only the people hold the power of public support and judgment.

This book presents various policies, starting from Korea's future and the story of the next presidential power, to the survival and freedom crossroads on the Korean Peninsula, strategic diplomacy to find the path for the peninsula, and rebuilding the nation through media reform. In particular, it does not hesitate to propose quite radical ideas in education reform.

Kim Jae-rok’s conviction stands out to the extent that he argues the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) evaluation should be limited to qualification conditions, and that principles should be established so that all students, including those in natural and social sciences as well as arts and physical education, do not need to receive relative or absolute evaluation scores.

Born in Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, Kim Jae-rok was deeply involved in large-scale corporate restructuring during the IMF financial crisis and was even called the "Midas touch."

He played a leading role in establishing Woori Financial Group and KB Kookmin Bank, and was known as a key figure in the financial sector, leading the resolution of non-performing loans at Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation and Korea Asset Management Corporation.

North Korea columnist, Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters guest reporter Choi Kyung-pil

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