Candidates lack blueprint for political reform

By Lee Tae-hoon

Political reform has emerged as a key issue ahead of the Dec. 19 presidential election as the three leading candidates emphasize their strong resolve to overhaul Korea’s “outdated” political system.

Rep. Park Geun-hye, the presidential candidate of the ruling Saenuri Party, said in her nomination acceptance speech on July 10 that she would establish a special committee on political reform and introduce a law on a permanent independent counsel and a special inspector.

Rep. Moon Jae-in, the standard bearer of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP), said in his acceptance speech on Sept. 16 that he will “open a door to new politics,” which ensures a greater participation of ordinary citizens in the decision-making process.

Software millionaire Ahn Cheol-soo stressed that he decided to join politics to fulfill “the people’s wish to achieve political reform” through him as he declared his independent bid on Sept. 19.

Experts point out that the three contenders, who have been harping on about the need to bring change, have yet to offer a blueprint for political reform with the election only about three months away.

“Though all presidential candidates have laid great emphasis on political reform, no one, including myself, has been able to hear their detailed plans to fulfill their pledges,” said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Seoul’s Myongji University.

He noted that all three’s statements on political reform have been nothing more than lip service to win the hearts of ill-informed voters.

“I have no clue how they plan to improve the country’s existing political system, which they claim to be corrupt and self-serving, and how they are going to achieve reform,” Shin said.

Other political experts, including Choi Jin-won, a politics professor at Kyunghee University and Lee Na-mi, a senior researcher at the Asiatic Research Institute of Korea University, also share these concerns, saying presidential bidders’ rhetoric appears to be empty and without substance.

Park mired in corruption scandals

Park, the first to announce her candidacy, was prompt to address the need to undertake substantial reform to create a culture of “clean and transparent politics.”

“Our politics is engulfed in corruption scandals that have nothing to do with the people’s livelihoods,” the former head of the conservative party said, adding she would strongly punish any of her associates involved in irregularities.

“True reform should start from me and the people close to me.”

Shin argues that she has not been able to outline specific reform measures as a series of corruption scandals involving her confidants, including Rep. Hong Sa-duk and former Saenuri Party lawmaker Song Young-sun, were revealed.

“Park has been hit hard by the latest corruption scandals and unable to move beyond her pledge to launch an investigative body, which will basically assume anti-corruption duties given to the Office of the Senior Secretary to the President for Civil Affairs,” he said.

Park launched a special committee on political reform as promised in her acceptable speech, but she has yet to produce concrete measures to “cleanse politics,” except for a plan to launch a body to screen possible irregularities involving the relatives and acquaintances of the president.

Choi claims that little is expected to come out of Park’s camp as the 60-year-old lawmaker has shown reluctance to embrace drastic change as witnessed from her refusal to introduce mobile phone voting and an open primary in her conservative party’s presidential selection race.

“She has been lukewarm to the idea of giving a major facelift to her party’s regulations and the existing political system,” he said.

Moon silent over promises

Moon, a human rights lawyer-turned-politician, has churned out numerous promises on political reform since he officially expressed his presidential ambitions on June 17.

The 59-year-old DUP lawmaker said he would enhance the role of the prime minister, restrict the president’s pardoning power and politically motivated revenge and abolish lawmakers’ privileges and retirement benefits.

He also promised to establish an independent body to investigate corruption involving senior public officials and increase citizens’ participation in political decisions.

Choi argues that Moon has been most flexible in accommodating demands for political reform.

“Moon has been paying close attention to those disgruntled and frustrated by politicians’ inability to work together and resolve political conflicts in a transparent and democratic manner,” he said.

However, others, including Shin and Lee, point out that Moon needs to develop a blueprint for political reform.

“I cannot recall Moon laying down action plans or a road map to achieve his campaign promises on political reform,” Lee said.

Shin agreed, underlining the former chief of the presidential staff under the Roh Moo-hyun administration has remained silent as to his commitment to push through reform measures he has thus far outlined.

He argues that Moon remains ambiguous on whether he would carry out the reform measures he has proposed, or whether he is positively reviewing them for future consideration.

“Moon hardly touched on the issue of political reform in his acceptance speech except that he would bolster the participation of citizens in politics,” Shin said. “He needs to answer mounting questions, such as whether he will push the amendment of the Constitution to guarantee the distribution of the president’s power with the prime minister.”

Ahn’s plans lack specifics

Ahn has been the most vocal over the country’s need to overhaul the existing political structure, but appears to be the least prepared to put forward alternatives.

In his acceptance speech, the founder of the anti-virus software firm, AhnLab, said he would unveil plans to change “old time politics” in a gradual manner as he continues his campaign.

His aides say the 50-year-old novice politician plans to formulate his policies based on suggestions that netizens make on his Facebook page and by hosting a series of forums with experts.

Nevertheless, Shin is highly skeptical that the information technology mogul-turned-politician will be able to develop realistic measures to tackle the problems of the country’s political system.

“No matter how great the ideas provided by netizens or experts are, it will be very challenging for him to mold them into some sort of a workable solution with the election less than 90 days away,” he said.

Shin added that it will also be difficult for him to keep his pledge not to distribute “senior government posts as the spoils of the election.”

“Many of those backing him see Ahn as a lottery ticket in realizing their political ambitions,” he said. “He will soon face a dilemma as he will realize that his goals cannot be fulfilled without granting coveted posts to his backers who may withdraw their support if their expectations are not met.”