Communicating with people
Going against public opinion backfires
The presidential office ruled out changing the projects for the four-river refurbishment and Sejong City. For the time being, President Lee Myung-bak will not accept the resignation of Prime Minister Chung Un-chan and Chief Presidential Secretary Chung Jung-kil.
President Lee will not reshuffle the Cabinet and presidential secretaries to tide over the current situation. President Lee does not think a surprise personnel change is necessary following the election defeat on June 2. Lee will review whether his policy direction has something to be desired but ruled out a sudden U-turn from what he has been doing.
The presidential office said Sunday the governing party, not the President, was responsible for the election loss. The reshuffle will be made after the July 28 by-elections for legislators. Despite the changes, the scope will be limited. It indicates the election result will not affect the personnel change. President Lee believes the defeat should not sway the government as opinion polls follow the whims of the times.
Cheong Wa Dae said that the former President Roh Moo-hyun did not change the Cabinet lineup following his election defeat four years ago.
The 23 rookie lawmakers of the governing Grand National Party, however, urged President Lee to take decisive action. They said the presidential office should change first to soothe the anger of the voters. They said a change in policy direction would be possible by changing the presidential secretaries.
Cheong Wa Dae is defensive. It pointed to a seven-year high 8.1 percent growth rate in the first quarter. It boasted the cool and restrained measures to cope with North Korea's torpedoing of the naval ship.
A wide perception gap exists between President Lee and the people.
It is apparent that the ruling party's defeat was partly attributable to a lack of communication between President Lee and the people. Voters showed they have no confidence in the governing camp as Lee snubbed the criticisms of the people over the Sejong City and the four-river refurbishment projects. The government's hawkish stance on North Korea has shaken the stock market. A 2008 candlelight vigil erupted after Lee decided to resume imports of American beef without filtering public opinion.
It is understandable for President Lee to delay the reshuffle. The governing party will hold its national convention to pick its new leaders early next month. On July 28, the by-elections for the lawmakers will be held. A hasty personal reshuffle may prove to be a minus factor for the governing camp ahead of two important events. Holding a hearing ahead of the by-election would be risky for the governing camp.
Timing is critical in the Cabinet reshuffle. Worrisome is the fact that the President has not indicated any sign of change following the election. Lack of communication with the people overshadows Lee's otherwise shining achievements. Public sentiment is more negative than Lee thinks.