By Park Moo-jong
English words suffixed with "-ship" number more than 600, according to various dictionaries.
Of them, positive and good ones include championship, scholarship, friendship and worship among others. On the contrary, negative and bad words are censorship, dictatorship, brinkmanship and the like.
What is the best -ship?
Lovers may certainly choose a pseudo-English word of Korean origin or a Konglish word, "skinship," meaning holding through physical contact.
Yet, the best ship should be the leadership for the Koreans of today.
Many Koreans, bitterly watching the fall of former president Park Geun-hye, now standing a criminal trial and behind bars, may think of the word, leadership, as the first best "ship."
We've been lamenting the lack of "true" national leadership since the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948.
All 11 former presidents, except for Lee Myung-bak (2007-2012), who we voted for, are living unfortunate or lived their lives after forced or legal retirement, reminding us of the absence in this country of a national leadership with integrity.
In particular, in this time of crisis, we desperately need strong and honest leadership.
North Korea's nuclear threats are ever intensifying tension, with the Trump administration warning the rogue regime not to test its resolve.
In response, with its shrill rhetoric, the North is even threatening a pre-emptive strike and nuclear war on the Korean peninsula, accusing the U.S. of pushing the situation here to the brink of war.
But we, the very country in this critical situation, are silent with no leader in sight. While the Japanese are busy raising the possibility of a war in its (geographic) neighboring country, we Koreans, are so indifferent to what's going on ahead of the "sudden" presidential election (slated for May 9).
Some years ago, Park Jin, a former lawmaker and now chairman of the Korean-American Association, in an interview cited a sign at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, that read, "The best ship in times of crisis is leadership."
It cannot be overemphasized that a crisis requires leadership. The Sewol sinking that claimed 304 lives just three years ago can be a bitter lesson. The fate of the ship and the passengers, needless to say, depended on the leadership of the captain, who showed this at its worst.
The disgraced former President Park also showed another kind of the worst leadership with no integrity.
We all know the importance of leadership. Then, what kind do we need?
Former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower (1890-1969) said, "The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office."
In particular, Park should have read the comment of former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919): "The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. "
The unseated lady president's tragedy began with her unjust and selfish sense to pick bad persons to manage state affairs.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela's (1918-2013) words could be a good advice for those who want to become leaders: "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership."
Four years ago, we asked Park to show leadership oriented toward the future, leadership of communication, leadership for national harmony and integration, and a leadership of integrity.
She never met the public's demands. Eventually, she disappointed the voters and disgraced herself being accused of bribery, abuse of power and 11 other charges.
One of the gravest wrongdoings she did was to not communicate with not only with the people but also with her Cabinet members.
A president's leadership in communication, as a matter of course, is to communicate with the people and to discuss matters with ministers ceaselessly and to draw agreement.
She paid no attention to this. She ignored its importance. She rarely met her ministers face to face. She spent so many nights only reading documents and material some people close to her prepared. And the result is her present situation.
We are now standing at the very important crossroad of choosing our next leader amid internal and external problems.
Eighteen days are left until the election. As many as 15 candidates are running as if they are in a race at an elementary school athletic meet in a small town.
Frankly speaking, the presidential race appears to be a crucial contest between Moon Jae-in and Ahn Cheol-soo both from opposition parties.
Who will be able to sail the troubled ship of the Republic of Korea safely to port?
We need to go for the second best, if we can't have the best.
Park Moo-jong is The Korea Times adviser. He served as president-publisher of the nation's first English newspaper founded in 1950 from 2004 to 2014 after he worked as a reporter for the daily since 1974. He can be reached at moojong@ktimes.com or emjei29@gmail.com
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Of them, positive and good ones include championship, scholarship, friendship and worship among others. On the contrary, negative and bad words are censorship, dictatorship, brinkmanship and the like.
What is the best -ship?
Lovers may certainly choose a pseudo-English word of Korean origin or a Konglish word, "skinship," meaning holding through physical contact.
Yet, the best ship should be the leadership for the Koreans of today.
Many Koreans, bitterly watching the fall of former president Park Geun-hye, now standing a criminal trial and behind bars, may think of the word, leadership, as the first best "ship."
We've been lamenting the lack of "true" national leadership since the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948.
All 11 former presidents, except for Lee Myung-bak (2007-2012), who we voted for, are living unfortunate or lived their lives after forced or legal retirement, reminding us of the absence in this country of a national leadership with integrity.
In particular, in this time of crisis, we desperately need strong and honest leadership.
North Korea's nuclear threats are ever intensifying tension, with the Trump administration warning the rogue regime not to test its resolve.
In response, with its shrill rhetoric, the North is even threatening a pre-emptive strike and nuclear war on the Korean peninsula, accusing the U.S. of pushing the situation here to the brink of war.
But we, the very country in this critical situation, are silent with no leader in sight. While the Japanese are busy raising the possibility of a war in its (geographic) neighboring country, we Koreans, are so indifferent to what's going on ahead of the "sudden" presidential election (slated for May 9).
Some years ago, Park Jin, a former lawmaker and now chairman of the Korean-American Association, in an interview cited a sign at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, that read, "The best ship in times of crisis is leadership."
It cannot be overemphasized that a crisis requires leadership. The Sewol sinking that claimed 304 lives just three years ago can be a bitter lesson. The fate of the ship and the passengers, needless to say, depended on the leadership of the captain, who showed this at its worst.
The disgraced former President Park also showed another kind of the worst leadership with no integrity.
We all know the importance of leadership. Then, what kind do we need?
Former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower (1890-1969) said, "The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office."
In particular, Park should have read the comment of former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919): "The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. "
The unseated lady president's tragedy began with her unjust and selfish sense to pick bad persons to manage state affairs.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela's (1918-2013) words could be a good advice for those who want to become leaders: "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership."
Four years ago, we asked Park to show leadership oriented toward the future, leadership of communication, leadership for national harmony and integration, and a leadership of integrity.
She never met the public's demands. Eventually, she disappointed the voters and disgraced herself being accused of bribery, abuse of power and 11 other charges.
One of the gravest wrongdoings she did was to not communicate with not only with the people but also with her Cabinet members.
A president's leadership in communication, as a matter of course, is to communicate with the people and to discuss matters with ministers ceaselessly and to draw agreement.
She paid no attention to this. She ignored its importance. She rarely met her ministers face to face. She spent so many nights only reading documents and material some people close to her prepared. And the result is her present situation.
We are now standing at the very important crossroad of choosing our next leader amid internal and external problems.
Eighteen days are left until the election. As many as 15 candidates are running as if they are in a race at an elementary school athletic meet in a small town.
Frankly speaking, the presidential race appears to be a crucial contest between Moon Jae-in and Ahn Cheol-soo both from opposition parties.
Who will be able to sail the troubled ship of the Republic of Korea safely to port?
We need to go for the second best, if we can't have the best.
Park Moo-jong is The Korea Times adviser. He served as president-publisher of the nation's first English newspaper founded in 1950 from 2004 to 2014 after he worked as a reporter for the daily since 1974. He can be reached at moojong@ktimes.com or emjei29@gmail.com
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