Dear editor,
This letter is in response to the language used in the articles describing the passing of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and tolerance shown toward illegal behavior.
I understand that Korea is a very young democracy. However, with the volatile language being used in the media, such as “rammed” and “railroaded,” it is obvious that far too many people misunderstand what a democracy is and how it is supposed to function.
In 2008, the majority of the electorate gave the Grand National Party (GNP) the political mandate to enact their agenda. In a unicameral system, when one party has a supermajority, they are easily able to control the legislature. The GNP are not “ramming” or “railroading” anything or anyone. Rather, they are effectively representing their constituents by exercising the full authority of their democratic system, majority rules. Those in the minority don’t rule. It is that simple.
It is regrettable that some of the elected officials are unwilling to conduct themselves properly within the confines of their own unicameral system. Though debating skills, diplomacy, and democratic principles were not part of Korea’s curriculum when some of these elected officials attended university, every legislator has been provided training and orientation on how to legislate with integrity and engage in civil discourse. In other words, they know better.
When a few of their members act out, the rest of the legislature needs to swiftly and decisively take action. By doing nothing or having the audacity to actually support the premeditated act of someone like Rep. Kim Sun-dong of the minor opposition Democratic Labor Party, a terrible and dangerous message is being sent around the world.
I would like to feel proud of Korea, but I find it quite troubling how an elected representative is allowed to obstruct the work of the legislature and remain free to incite more violence in the streets of Seoul, even leading to a police officer being attacked.
Regardless of Korea trying to clean up its international image and prepare for a brighter future, how can any logical, rational, thinking person defend these actions, especially from a legislator?
When anyone, whether it be an elected official or a some random person resorts to violence when their views are dismissed and abdicates responsibility for their actions, claiming others forced them to act foolishly and break the law, the government and its people need to hold these individuals accountable.
These actions are not democratic, but serve only to undermine true democratic principles and the rule of law.
Steven Austin
austininsk@gmail.com