Park's leadership put to test

By Jun Ji-hye

President Park Geun-hye

Skepticism about President Park Geun-hye’s leadership has risen again amid the government’s bungled response to the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

The failed initial response is seen by some as reminiscent of the first hours during the sinking of Sewol ferry in April, last year, which raised serious questions about Park’s leadership.

The two incidents have two common points ― the absence of a proper control tower and the failure of the initial response.

Park’s lack of communication with her aides and insufficient understanding of the situation was proven again on June 1 when she said “The number of confirmed patients as of today was 15.” This meeting took place 12 days after the outbreak, when the actual number of confirmed cases was 18.

This incompetence when coping with disasters and emergencies immediately caused a drop in her approval ratings.

A Gallup survey conducted on June 2 to 4 showed that only 34 percent of respondents supported the President, while 55 percent disagreed with her management of state affairs.

Among those negative about Park’s leadership, 16 percent cited her lack of communication and closed style, while 14 percent pointed out the poor response to the epidemic outbreak.

“The effective control tower, which could embrace the central and local governments together, should have been operating as soon as the outbreak was first reported last month,” said Bae Jong-chan, the chief director at Research and Research.

“The fear of MERS has spread amid an absence of the right person in the right position, resulting in nosedive in Park’s ratings.”

Currently, five MERS task forces are operating under the control of various offices such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Public Safety and Security, and Cheong Wa Dae.

A Cheong Wa Dae official declined to answer reporters’ questions about whether the presidential office is the central control tower of the response to the epidemic.

The current situation resembles the bungled handling of the deadly sinking of the passenger ship, which left 304 passengers dead.

As of Tuesday, the total number of MERS patients stood at 95 with a death toll of seven.

Rep. Moon Jae-in, chairman of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, told reporters, “We cannot find proper leadership to overcome the MERS,” urging Park to suggest effective countermeasures rather than hiding behind her aides.

Even the floor leader of the ruling Saenuri Party, Rep. Yoo Seong-min, voiced criticism, saying, “The Park government needs to be clear about the control tower of the MERS management.”

He said that such a mission is significant because many people are worried about the absence of the head of state next week when Park has a scheduled visit to the United States.

Research and Research’s Bae noted that how soon Park resolves the MERS crisis will be crucial for overcoming a crisis in her leadership.

“Whether to push for the U.S. tour or cancel it will become additional factor to her ratings,” he said.

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