By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak needs to replace ``troublesome'' deputies and become more flexible in both his leadership style and political decision making if he is to regain public confidence.
That is the advice from Professor Hahm Sung-deuk of the Department of Public Administration at Korea University, a respected expert in presidential studies.
President Lee has been unable to prove himself during the early stages of his presidency, and so needs to redouble his efforts to gain public trust, the professor said in an interview with The Korea Times, Friday.
The performance during the first 100 days following inauguration is regarded as a bellwether on the future accomplishments of the presidency, he said.
The political scientist said that the first 100 days in a presidency is pivotal in shaping the people's perception of the leadership and that this initial perception tends to remain until the presidential term ends.
``I would not say it is impossible for leaders to make up for initial drawbacks or weaknesses, but doing so is very tough,'' said the professor.
Lee took office on Feb. 25, and Tuesday marks his 100th day. So far, his score sheet appears discouraging.
His most recent support rate hit a record low of 29.2 percent, the lowest 100 day rating since the 1990s ― former President Kim Dae-jung's rating stood at 81 percent and Lee's predecessor Roh Moo-hyun commanded 57 percent in polls taken after their first 100 days in office.
Prof. Hahm observed that the government's decision to resume U.S. beef imports, which drove activists and citizens to the streets in protest, is not an immediate cause of what the opposition is now calling a leadership crisis.
``It would be more accurate to say that the contentious beef negotiations triggered the explosion of public disappointment,'' Hahm said. ``Before the beef negotiations, the presidential transition team and Lee's secretaries had made several blunders and mistakes, which had already made the public disheartened.''
The professor said three factors ― the presidential transition team's announcement of an array of half-baked policies such as the plan to implement English immersion classes in high schools, questionable wealth accumulation of a few Cabinet members and Cheong Wa Dae secretaries, and Lee's heavily reliance on top-down leadership ― have let the public down.
``Lee appears to lack flexibility, and I personally believe it is this personal trait that is the root cause of his troubles during this initial stage of his presidency,'' he said. ``Lee could become a trailblazer in global construction giant Hyundai as well as a successful Seoul mayor mainly due to his unrivaled personal strengths such as a speed-dominated and efficiency-oriented management style. But these traits can do more harm than good when you are the president.''
Hahm said that former presidents often revealed maverick styles and overconfidence shortly after completing state visits to the four powers ― the United States, China, Japan and Russia.
``Overconfidence often grows following these meetings with global leaders. They would often show little respect for the National Assembly and not see the parliament as a partner,'' he said. ``I am concerned Lee will make the same mistakes his predecessors have upon his meetings with the four powers.''
He said it was time President Lee to think about virtues such as compromise, the benefits he could gain by working more closely with the National Assembly and opposition parties, as well his relationship with one-time rival Rep. Park Geun-hye.
Asked what options the President had to become an effective leader, Prof. Hahm said Lee should first reshuffle the Cabinet and presidential secretaries.
``Along with a Cabinet reshuffle, Lee needs to learn that going slowly is a virtue not a drawback as a national leader. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton was considered an ineffective leader in his early presidency, but he showed strong leadership after faithfully following advice from his secretaries. Clinton is a good role model for Lee,'' said Hahm.