Korea has observed National Liberation Day as its biggest holiday, like most other countries de-colonized after World War II.
This year will be no exception _ only the government seems set to celebrate Friday more as the 60th birthday of the Republic of Korea than as the 63rd anniversary of liberation from Japanese rule. So, what's the big fuss? Some people might say indifferently, thinking the figure of 60 is easier to remember than 63.
It's not that simple, actually. The conservatives, who stick to South Korea's birthday, call the day the 60th anniversary of ``national foundation." But the progressives, who seek modern Korea's roots in the declaration of independence in March 1919 and Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai set up a month later, criticize this as a plot to deny their ancestors' independence fight as well as the nation's spiritual identity.
Legally speaking, the conservatives' assertion has some truth in it, as a nation must have three essential elements of people, land and sovereignty. Without the independence movement, however, liberated Korea could not claim its right to establish its own government so soon. In addition, Korea has an ``original" National Foundation Day on Oct. 3, according to its semi-mythical origin of B.C. 2333. Why should we curtail our history from 5,000 to 60 years?
It needs to be made clear, once and for all, that the nation was not founded on this day, but that the first South Korean government was established in 1948. The United States, many Korean conservatives' spiritual utopia, regards the day of its declaration of independence on July 4, 1776 as its national foundation, not April 30, 1789 when it established the federal government.
It is clear what the conservatives have in mind by emphasizing the 60-year version: capitalism and industrialization have made the country what it is today. The progressives, on the other hand, want to see it as the history of democratization by driving out dictatorship.
How long should we remain mired in this consumptive ideological battle, however? Can't we just recognize both industrialization and democratization? This is one of the few ― if not the only ― countries that won independence after World War II and attained both in just two generations. It would be funny if we keep overly boasting it, but this is nothing to feel disgraceful about, let alone torment ourselves over.
There can of course be no future without the past. But by dwelling upon the days gone by too much, one cannot go forward. President Lee Myung-bak was right when he stressed national harmony and a joint march to the future.
The problem is, the reality ― and his administration's policies ― are far from the rhetoric. Only a few years ago, South and North Korea jointly celebrated the Aug. 15 anniversaries. Now, even opposing ideological groups in the South are holding separate ceremonies. This is doubly deplorable, as China is reemerging as the global power, while Japan is recovering its political voice on the international stage.
If ideological confrontation is unavoidable, the nation should focus on its future aspect, not the past one. The only way Korea can secure space between its two giant neighbors is to not stick to petty nationalism but instead to grow up as real global citizens, who put logic ahead of emotion as well as the rule of law ahead of the rule by men.
It's also time to replace the nouveau riche-like slogans of ``advanced" country, ``first-rate nation" or ``another takeoff" with calm pledges to be reborn as a country of reason and common sense.