By Kim Heung-sook
Welcome back, Mr. President. Though your vacation was short and marred by a string of unfortunate events that forced you to make phone calls to officials from where you were supposed to be resting, you've at least had it. There are thousands of others who couldn't get away from where they live and work, and I'm one of those unhappy creatures stuck in Seoul. I hope you will consider this if and when you find my lines disturbing.
You may be aware that the planned visit of U.S. President George W. Bush to Seoul, Aug. 5-6, and your meeting with him is already causing jitters among many of your compatriots. What nasty news will follow the upcoming event, they wonder, and you can't blame them as their concern is well-grounded. If you are upbeat about the U.S. Board on Geographic Names' decision to return ``undesignated sovereignty" of Dokdo (Tok-to) to ``South Korea," you are naive at best. The lukewarm correction is just one of the numerous rectifications needed.
Think about April when you created a heartwarming scene of friendly get-together with Bush, which was ruined by its beefy side-effects within a few days. Early last month, you were ardently shaking hands with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda at the G-8 forum in Hokkaido amid mounting expectations that Seoul-Tokyo ``shuttle diplomacy" was coming to life again. Your predecessor Roh Moo-hyun had kept distance from Japan, displaying displeasure over the neighbor's claim of Dokdo and lack of sincere repentance about its atrocities on Koreans in the first half of the last century.
Stopping over in Tokyo in April from a U.S. trip, you proposed that Korea and Japan build a ``future-oriented relationship." It was hailed as ``pragmatic diplomacy" by what small number of supporters you had, while being sneered at by the majority of your people who knew better. Shortly after you came back home, the East Sea began to billow as Japan defined Dokdo as part of its territory in educational guidebooks.
You must have learned by now that a warm heart alone can't make friends. You may have also realized that there is nothing like friendship in international relations but a case-by-case adjustment of partnership. Though the cost of your education was quite high and brought uncountable damage to the country, I don't blame you. I know you meant well and were true to your heart in your dealings with Bush and Fukuda.
Nonetheless, it is every Korean's wish that you won't repeat your mistakes, and that's why I offer you a couple of tips here.
First, the handshakes. When you are cheering construction workers, no doubt you met hundreds as CEO, your passionate handshakes may be regarded as expression of camaraderie. Hands of manual laborers are usually tough and they don't mind forceful shakes. Politicians' hands, however, are probably the softest among all professionals. Moreover, they hate being overwhelmed by others; they don't like someone who moves their hands up and down in public. I hope you will stop excessive handshakes with foreign dignitaries.
Second, think twice before you say something other than empty comments. You can freely say, ``I like your necktie" or ``You look good on red" but you may need seconds or minutes of silence when your foreign counterpart talks about something serious. Your silence will be especially rewarding as your counterparts are used to your animated reaction. Spend your energy on listening to your interpreter no matter how good your English capability is. Use your interpreter, as it will be safer and more diplomatic that way.
Third, don't try to touch all national or international issues. There are nearly 1 million public servants who are paid to tackle problems or tasks. You are like the conductor of an orchestra. You don't have to play the violin or the cello when the sound of the string is needed. You will just see to it that the instrument is played by the capable hand. There are times when you yourself have to perform up front, but such occasions should be limited to the minimum. When your men or women do foolish things or create confusion, we will turn to you. If you err publicly, we have no one to turn to.
I hope you will pleasantly surprise Bush next week by acting a little differently than last time. Changes are good even for friends sometimes.