Korea needs to be more 'forward-looking' in governance, economy

Country advised to cease fighting old battles, move toward mutual cooperation

This is the second in a series of contributions from experts to highlight various issues President Yoon Suk-yeol and his administration should address during his presidency. ― ED.

By Jim Dator

Dear President Yoon Suk-yeol,

Congratulations on your inauguration ― or perhaps condolences since governing is so very difficult to do given the novelties of our numerous challenges and opportunities, on the one hand, and the obsolescence and inadequacies of all forms of governance, on the other. It is a tragedy that "democratic governance" everywhere has become synonymous with tribal warfare between self-righteously opposing camps ― each proclaiming all wisdom and good on their side and all ignorance and evil on the other ― rather than fora for reasoned discourse among compatriots towards common goals.

Jim Dator, professor emeritus of University of Hawaii at Manoa

I am counting on you to engage all Koreans in a deep, patient and honest quest to design, test and implement new forms of governance based on cutting-edge technologies and cosmologies of the 21st century instead of continuing to muddle through with structures and ideas derived from and perhaps once fit for the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries in Europe that prevent respectful, participatory, futures-oriented governance now. Governance must be based on civility and compassion focused on common futures and not on endlessly picking at the scabs of injustices and quarrels of the past.

This is something that Korea is uniquely able to do. Compared to most other countries, Korea is exceptionally futures-oriented now. But Korea needs to become even more forward-looking, not only in science and technology but especially in governance, economy and society. What worked so wonderfully well ― for some ― in the past 50 years will not work so well if at all from now on. Different goals and processes addressing emerging possibilities and risks are essential.

Korea must look within itself

For the first time, Korea is in a position to be a leading nation in the world. Old ideas and actors are no longer able or willing to lead ― or to be followed ― as they once were. This opportunity is difficult for many Koreans to accept. Korea has prided itself on being able to take ideas and processes pioneered elsewhere and improve upon and profit from them greatly. Now there is no place in the world where Korea can look for sure guidance and inspiration. Korea must look within itself ― to its hard-working, educated, creative people ― as well as to other places in the world for mutual inspiration, leadership and effective, peaceful, cooperative action.

It is vitally important to cease fighting old battles against old adversaries, however brutal and unrequited the past might have been, and move towards mutual cooperation and understanding, especially with North Korea and Japan. This also means no longer concentrating so intensely on the United States but rather joining with other smaller, futures-focused countries in Asia and Europe ― and Africa whose role in creating new futures is rising rapidly.

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This means focusing on climate change and all the other novel and profound challenges of the Anthropocene Epoch and not continuing to be dazzled by hoary visions of globalized economic growth to the exclusion of all other values. In many ways, this seems to be one of the hardest things for many Koreans to grasp. You want so desperately to restore the good old ways and means that you are in danger of becoming overwhelmed by the many novelties, risks and openings racing from the futures.

For decades and especially recently, study after study vividly explains the causes, consequences and cures of global and local climate change, but no government is doing anything in response beyond mild lip service and the continuation ― indeed enhancement ― of policies and practices that bring the disasters closer while making them even more intractable and devastating. The responses by decision makers in many parts of the world to the ruthless invasion of Ukraine by Russia have become vehicles for expanding practices that are inexcusable in light of the clear and present dangers of climate change.

'Energy goals will not be met'

While it is vital that all nations meet energy and other goals set by the international community, it is absolutely certain that no nation will meet them or even try seriously to do so. Therefore, as important as zero carbon emissions may be, far more important now is for Korea (and all other nations) to admit that the energy goals will not be met, that the climate will continue to change unsustainably, as waters rise, catastrophic drought, fires, and floods become more common and widespread, food production and distribution seriously imperiled, and that policies for adapting to the change ― adapting, instead of denying or imagining it can be prevented ― must be widely and seriously discussed, and quickly implemented. Effective and continuous adaptations to perpetually changing conditions is our only hope.

Conservatives by definition should be the first to strive earnestly to conserve ways of life long-cherished that climate change is obliterating. Only irresponsible radicals stubbornly perpetuate unfair and destructive economic policies and practices that privilege a few now while immiserating present and future generations.

Jim Dator, a leading foresight researcher, is a professor emeritus and former director of the Hawaii Research Center for Futures Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa.