The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Builders vie for leadership in modular construction

  • 3

    INTERVIEW'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director

  • 5

    Austrian former nurse of Korean leprosy patients dies at age 88

  • 7

    Korea picks up 1st gold in roller skating

  • 9

    Top 1% of singers earned $3.4 mil. each on average in 2021: data

  • 11

    Yoon meets police officers, firefighters on Chuseok holiday

  • 13

    New York City area gets one of its wettest days in decades, as rain swamps subways and streets

  • 15

    FM visits France to campaign for Korea's World Expo bid

  • 17

    With teammate's help, inconsolable shooter regroups in time to win bronze

  • 19

    Korea wins bronze in mixed team pistol event for 14th shooting medal

  • 2

    Poll shows 79% of young Koreans agree on need to improve ties with Japan

  • 4

    What to know and what's next for Travis King, the American soldier who ran into North Korea

  • 6

    S. Korea lose to N. Korea in women's football quarterfinals

  • 8

    Korea to extend $5 mil. worth of fertilizer aid to Ukraine via US agency

  • 10

    Households in capital area hold 70% more in assets than non-metropolitan families: data

  • 12

    Korean industry minister visits Africa for World Expo bid, economic ties

  • 14

    Korean baseball team trying to adjust to playing surface, new ball in China

  • 16

    Republicans reject own funding bill, US government shutdown imminent

  • 18

    What happens if US government enters a shutdown?

  • 20

    Korean diver Woo Haram bags 9th Asian Games medal

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Opinion
  • Yun Byung-se
  • Kim Won-soo
  • Ahn Ho-young
  • Kim Sang-woo
  • Lee Kyung-hwa
  • Mitch Shin
  • Peter S. Kim
  • Daniel Shin
  • Jeon Su-mi
  • Jang Daul
  • Song Kyung-jin
  • Park Jung-won
  • Cho Hee-kyoung
  • Park Chong-hoon
  • Kim Sung-woo
  • Donald Kirk
  • John Burton
  • Robert D. Atkinson
  • Mark Peterson
  • Eugene Lee
  • Rushan Ziatdinov
  • Lee Jong-eun
  • Chyung Eun-ju and Joel Cho
  • Bernhard J. Seliger
  • Imran Khalid
  • Troy Stangarone
  • Jason Lim
  • Casey Lartigue, Jr.
  • Bernard Rowan
  • Steven L. Shields
  • Deauwand Myers
  • John J. Metzler
  • Andrew Hammond
  • Sandip Kumar Mishra
Mon, October 2, 2023 | 04:03
Lee Jong-eun
Yoon's inaugural speech on freedom and anti-intellectualism
Posted : 2022-05-17 16:55
Updated : 2022-05-18 10:33
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
By Lee Jong-eun

As South Korea often looks to the U.S. as a political model, it is common for South Korean political conservatives to seek policy lessons from their U.S. counterparts. Inspired by the economic policies of U.S. conservatives, a growing number of South Korean conservative policymakers have advocated for "pro-market" policies such as business deregulation and a flexible labor market.

Political slogans popular among South Korean conservatives, such as "small government" and "individual liberty," often originate from U.S. political discourse. Some of these adaptations have been positive, as they have challenged South Korean conservatives to shift from the statist political legacy of past military rule. Other adaptations have received scrutiny for not being applicable to Korea's economic and political context.

On March 10, Yoon Suk-yeol, a conservative People Power Party candidate, was inaugurated as South Korea's new president. Yoon invoked multiple political themes familiar to South Korean and U.S. conservatives in his inaugural speech. Yoon said "freedom" 35 times, describing it as the most important core value. Yoon declared political and economic freedom to be foundations for growth and prosperity. To overcome domestic division and conflicts, Yoon proposed the solution of rapid economic growth to expand economic opportunities and improve social mobility.

On foreign policy, Yoon rejected a fragile peace that simply avoids war. Rather, Yoon promised to achieve a "real, lasting peace" through achieving the complete denuclearization of North Korea. Furthermore, Yoon advocated international solidarity against "any attempt that aims to take our freedom away, abuse human rights or destroy peace," including abuses of political power and armed conflicts.

President Yoon's speech, however, also included themes different from that of many U.S. conservatives. Specifically, Yoon invoked economic equity, international cooperation and the importance of intellectualism in the political process.

First, Yoon emphasized that freedom should be enjoyed by all people, not just the "winners:" "For everyone to enjoy freedom, everyone must be allowed to enjoy a certain level of economic freedom; everyone must be guaranteed the right to receive a quality education." Yoon encouraged the spirit of fraternity and solidarity to ensure no one is denied basic necessities fundamental to being "free citizens."

Second, Yoon acknowledged that South Korea cannot achieve scientific progress and innovation alone. Additionally, the climate change, food and energy crises are complex global challenges that individual countries cannot solve on their own. Rather than differentiating domestic and international issues, Yoon urged the international community to work together in solving common challenges and pledged that Korea would also take upon a greater role as a global leader.

Third, Yoon warned against the spread of anti-intellectualism as a challenge to democracy. Yoon affirmed "scientific facts and truth" as the basis for policy discussion to achieve political compromise among people with different views. An anti-intellectual sentiment that distorts facts or silences those who hold opposing perspectives will prevent rational and intellectual discussion, and deepen the political divide.

There have been U.S. conservatives who have articulated themes similar to Yoon's inaugural address. While advocating the traditional conservative stances in favor of strong national defense and the free market, some conservatives have envisioned "compassionate conservatism" for reducing poverty and improving educational opportunities for all.

Perceiving the U.S. as an indispensable global leader, some conservatives have championed defending the liberal world order and expanding democracy and human rights abroad. However, in current U.S. politics, such conservative visions have largely been sidelined. In particular, since Trump's presidency, skepticism toward international involvement and populist resistance against established political institutions have become more prominent themes among some U.S. conservatives.

Could Yoon's presidency present an alternative version of political conservatism different from past Korean conservative governments and from current U.S. conservativism ― a conservative government that advocates market-driven growth and assertive security policy as well as also favors social safety nets, international cooperation and the deliberative policymaking process?

A skeptical response might be that presidents rarely fulfill their inaugural pledges. Even if a president is sincerely committed to a particular political vision, domestic and international political trends could alter that president's political course. The proposal for economic equity could face budgetary constraints. The South Korean domestic politic circle might be uninterested in global leadership and cooperation. Partisan gridlock and polarization could exacerbate, obstructing efforts to promote political unity and pragmatic policy solutions.

The consequences of President Yoon's failure, however, might result in more adverse impacts for South Korea than similar setbacks might have on U.S. politics. While for U.S. policymakers, international cooperation might seem to be a choice, for South Korea, it is a necessity. As a country dependent on the global economy and geopolitical stability, South Korea's national interest requires international cooperation in maintaining the rules-based international order.

Put it simply, "Korea First" or "Fortress Korea" is not a viable foreign policy alternative for Yoon or any other South Korean president. As a geographically small, densely populated country, economic equity and political unity are critical for South Korea, which has already experienced multiple political upheavals since its independence.

Whether or not Yoon was sincere in his inaugural address, Yoon's administration will face similar expectations as his predecessors to achieve economic equity, political unity and international cooperation. Therefore, it is perhaps not a surprise that the Yoon administration's first policy initiative was to approve additional COVID-19 relief aid to small business owners and the self-employed.

Will Yoon's presidency succeed, and achieve Korea's version of a "compassionate conservative" government that is more compassionate at home and more assertive abroad? Though the future is still to be seen, if Yoon succeeds, perhaps roles will switch between U.S. and South Korean conservatives, with the latter offering relevant political lessons to their U.S. ideological counterparts.


Lee Jong-eun (jl4375a@student.american.edu), a Ph.D. candidate, is an adjunct faculty member at the American University School of International Service. Prior to this, he served as a South Korean Airforce intelligence officer. His research specialization includes U.S. foreign policy, South Korean politics and foreign policy, alliance management and East Asian regional security.


 
miguel
wooribank
LG
Top 10 Stories
1Trapped along borders Trapped along borders
2[INTERVIEW] Risk-averse culture is forcing daring creators to flee showbiz INTERVIEWRisk-averse culture is forcing daring creators to flee showbiz
3Koreans adapt to soaring food prices Koreans adapt to soaring food prices
4Education ministry prohibits parents from recording classes Education ministry prohibits parents from recording classes
5[VIDEO] Bustling Chuseok: Namsan Hanok Village immerses visitors in Korea's rich traditions VIDEOBustling Chuseok: Namsan Hanok Village immerses visitors in Korea's rich traditions
6Builders vie for leadership in modular construction Builders vie for leadership in modular construction
7Are 'finfluencers' helping or harming investment community? Are 'finfluencers' helping or harming investment community?
8Value, consumer goods, financial stocks expected to gain momentum after Chuseok holiday Value, consumer goods, financial stocks expected to gain momentum after Chuseok holiday
9Will blue crabs from Italy arrive on Korean dining tables?Will blue crabs from Italy arrive on Korean dining tables?
10[INTERVIEW] ROK-US alliance is win-win partnership: KUSAF chief INTERVIEWROK-US alliance is win-win partnership: KUSAF chief
Top 5 Entertainment News
1M+ deputy director discusses Seoul's potential to challenge Hong Kong as Asia's art hub M+ deputy director discusses Seoul's potential to challenge Hong Kong as Asia's art hub
2[INTERVIEW] 'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director INTERVIEW'Coexistence of different art hubs across Asia is necessary': Art Week Tokyo Director
3Trailblazing nonagenarian artist honored for redefining Korean fiber art Trailblazing nonagenarian artist honored for redefining Korean fiber art
4[INTERVIEW] With '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting INTERVIEWWith '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting
5Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group