[The Typing Baker] US Presidents Returning to the Public... Meet Them at the Library

Visit to 13 U.S. Presidential Libraries
The Source of American Democracy: 'Presidential Culture'
Thorough Record Preservation and Sharing for Achievement Evaluation and Verification
Our Presidential Culture Must Also Change Through Benchmarking

[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] When asked what comes to mind first when South Korean university students hear the word "president," negative words such as "dictatorship, illicit wealth accumulation, impeachment, coup d'?tat, imprisonment" pour out. In contrast, American university students respond to the same question with positive and hopeful words like "honor, respect, love, dedication, courage." Where does this difference in perception of former presidents stem from?

Former presidents of the Republic of Korea have all left office under dishonorable circumstances, with investigations and imprisonments involving themselves or their relatives, continuing to receive intense media scrutiny even after their terms. On the other hand, many former U.S. presidents actively continue political activities or consistently engage in community service after their terms, fulfilling their roles as elder statesmen or leaders devoted to the nation.

Across the United States, it is not uncommon to find cities, counties, buildings, roads, natural landmarks, and historic sites named after former presidents. This signifies that former presidents who have relinquished power and returned to the public sphere are deeply loved and respected by the people.

In 1955, the U.S. enacted the "Presidential Libraries Act," designating all records of a president during their term as national property and establishing presidential libraries nationwide for systematic management. The funding for establishing these libraries is raised by the presidents themselves, while operation and management are handled by the federal government. These libraries preserve all documents, memos, videos, and photos related to the president’s tenure, as well as materials about their personal and family life from childhood through retirement.

Author Professor Ra Yoon-do emphasizes that presidential libraries, as archives and educational institutions, have become the source of the "presidential culture" that has rooted American democracy. By understanding America’s long-standing presidential culture, future generations come to realize the true value of democracy, which in turn forms the foundation of patriotism and pride.

This book is a travelogue written by the author after personally visiting 13 presidential libraries scattered across the United States. As a professor with a background in journalism, the author carefully researched and documented the stories of past U.S. presidents in an easy-to-understand manner. It includes lesser-known anecdotes, childhood personalities, and episodes, providing a three-dimensional view of each president’s life. Interviews with local library staff and residents add vivid on-site impressions, making it feel like reading a reportage article. Additionally, objective presidential performance evaluation indicators from presidential studies researchers are included, allowing readers to see how each president is assessed within the U.S.

As the Moon Jae-in administration enters its final year, South Korea has also entered a full-fledged presidential election phase. By benchmarking the U.S.’s "presidential culture," known as a democracy pioneer, we hope to elect presidents who are respected and trusted in our history.

(Presidential Culture and Democracy ? Visiting 13 U.S. Presidential Libraries / Written by Ra Yoon-do / Joeun Ddang / 15,000 KRW)

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