Friday marks the start of the Year of the Tiger. It is also the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century. It is natural for people to have high expectations for a better life in the days to come. Therefore, it is more than important for the nation to live up to public aspiration for prosperity and happiness. Most of all, every member of Korean society is required to join hands with hope and courage to reinvent the nation.
The nation went through many twists and turns last year amid the unprecedented global economic crisis, outdated local politics and escalating tensions with North Korea. However, it is safe to say that the country has so far shown a better-than-expected performance to get out of the economic turbulence. South Korea is expected to become one of the world's fastest-recovering economies with its growth increasing 4 to 5 percent in 2010. Its current account surplus was estimated to hit a record high of $43 billion in 2009.
Most economic statistics indicate that everything looks fine ― even though it couldn't be better taking into account the worldwide crisis. The consumer price index has stabilized at the 2 percent level and the jobless rate is still low in the 3 percent range. But the figures are often tricky enough to ignore the stark reality in which people are under mounting inflationary pressure for their daily necessities with massive job losses. In other words, the economy is rapidly recovering but people's living conditions are not taking a turn for the better.
Thus, it is necessary for the nation to adopt a new economic paradigm to take a new leap forward and bring real benefits to the people. For this, the political leadership should present a new vision for the nation's future. President Lee Myung-bak has often vowed to implement policies to improve people's living standards, especially the poor and underprivileged. This is easier said than done. But he must pay more heed to public criticism that he has only talked too much and taken little action. We urge him to do his best to make good on his people-oriented pledges.
In December, a consortium led by the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) snatched a $20 billion deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to construct nuclear power plants in the Middle East country. The contract has raised hope for the nation that it can make another success story with its technological breakthrough in nuclear power generation. Seoul is scheduled to host a G20 summit of world's major economies in November. The nation can take advantage of the event to elevate its international status and move toward becoming an advanced country.
There are growing calls for the politics of dialogue and compromise as the nation suffered from a political setback last year due to ever-intensifying confrontation between governing and opposition camps. It is no exaggeration to say that violent clashes between rival political parties have become the order of the day at the National Assembly. The standoff over President Lee's four-river refurbishment project and his bid to scrap his predecessor's plan on a new administrative town has only divided the nation sharply. It has fostered political and social conflicts among different parties and groups.
The real problem is that all members of our society don't know how to communicate with each other. Since his inauguration, President Lee has been under attack for his inability to communicate with opposition leaders and the people. Sticking to his bulldozer-style leadership, Lee has not done well to humbly hear the voices of the people. Politics has long been far behind the economy and other fields in Korea. The nation can never have a bright future without political reform. Local elections are scheduled for June to elect governors, majors and council members. The polls must serve as a catalyst to usher in a new political culture which will promote social cohesion and national unity.
People are also urged to actively work together to usher in clean politics by kicking out corrupt politicians. They need to heal the wounds arising from ideological confrontation between the right and the left, social conflicts and regional antagonism. Besides, they have to respect such values as forgiveness, tolerance and sharing to make the country a better place. And then, they should do more to tackle many social problems, including the widening gap between the rich and the poor, rampant corruption and raging crimes against children and women.
The inter-Korean relations have rapidly deteriorated since the installation of the conservative Lee administration in 2008. Of course, North Korea is totally accountable for escalating tensions on the peninsula by launching long-range missiles and conducting a second atomic bomb test early last year. But now, the government had better make its utmost effort to help mend ties with the North and solve a dispute over the isolated country's nuclear program. Where is the spirit of national reconciliation and cooperation that had culminated following the historic summit between leaders of the two Koreas in 2000 and a subsequent one in 2007?
We have too many things to do in 2010. And we have to bring significant changes to the nation so that we can create a better future. People's support and active participation are essential to rebuilding the nation in the globalized world.