The nation is now mired in a brewing conflict over a series of politically-sensitive court rulings related to a maverick opposition lawmaker, teachers protesting education policies and local TV staff reporting the risks of mad cow disease. It is really regrettable to see Korean society sharply divided over such controversial issues without any logical discussion or any respect for different views and values.
It seems that the nation's chronic sociopolitical confrontation between the progressives and the conservatives has finally come to a head. The latest conflict emerged after a Seoul district court last week acquitted Rep. Kang Ki-kab of the minor opposition Democratic Labor Party of charges of violent behavior at the National Assembly. On Tuesday, a court in Jeonju, South Jeolla Province, ruled in favor of four teachers who issued a statement opposing state policies and participated in anti-government rallies.
The confrontation reached its climax Wednesday when another Seoul court cleared MBC TV's five staff of defamation charges for falsely reporting on the dangers of mad cow disease in American beef. The report, which was broadcast in April and May 2008, helped ignite mass public protests against the resumption of U.S. beef imports.
Disappointedly, the ruling and opposition parties have been jockeying for an ideological showdown, adding fuel to the problem. Rep. Ahn Sang-soo of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) expressed his dissatisfaction with the ``biased'' rulings by saying, ``The tyranny of the judiciary has reached its peak.'' Some GNP legislators vowed to push judicial reform to get rid of what they called ``left-leaning'' judges.
Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) denounced Ahn's remarks, saying that the GNP was undermining the judiciary by explicitly trying to sack Chief Justice Lee Yong-hoon, who was appointed in 2005 by then liberal President Roh Moo-hyun. Rep. Park Joo-sun of the DP criticized the GNP for conducting a ``witch hunt.'' DP members revealed their intention to revamp the prosecution, which they claimed is acting as the servant of the conservative government.
Against this backdrop, the ideological battle has spilled onto the streets. Members of progressive civic groups held rallies in Seoul Wednesday, hailing the court decisions in favor of those who were described as standing up against the conservative Lee administration. A day later, a group of rightwing activists threw eggs at the official vehicle of the chief justice on his way to work. Judge Lee Dong-yeon, who cleared Rep. Kang of the violence charges, even asked for police help to ensure his security as protesters were demonstrating in front of his house.
We have to express worries that the latest incidents might develop into grave consequences threatening the judiciary's independence and political neutrality. It is not desirable for the prosecution, the government, political parties and civic organizations to vent their anger against judges and the courts. They had better put forward their opinions in more reasonable ways. Judges are also imperfect and may make errors in some cases even though they are required to make a ruling in accordance with the law and their conscience.
Checks and balances between the three branches ― executive, legislative and judiciary ― should be maintained in order to move this country toward a mature democracy. It is time to put a firmer justice system in place to ensure the rule of law. And what's more urgent is that all members of our society should learn how to solve their problems and conflicts in more democratic ways based on compromise and dialogue.