The race for Seoul mayor is going to be the most hotly contested during the regional elections set for May 31, and already the campaign is showing signs of overheating. It is hard to see competition based on policy, which is what you would like to see in a local election. One assumed candidate does not think twice to make personal attacks on an expected opponent, and the national offices of the ruling and main opposition parties are turning the campaign into an all out confrontation that reminds you of a presidential election. It will be hard to expect a clean and fair election in such as situation.
Given the political significance of the campaign for mayor, it is natural that both parties spend all the energy they have on winning. But it is not good to be so obsessed with winning that you bring in candidates from outside without regard to how you do it.
Two years ago Oh Se Hoon, the former Grand National Party (GNP) lawmaker who is being drafted back into politics by his old party, announced he would not seek reelection and that he would not run for mayor either, because he "isn't ready," he does not have the "capacity to lead (the city)" and he "does not have any vision for Seoul." If we are to take him on his word on that, the GNP is drafting someone who lacks the qualifications just because he is popular. The ruling Uri Party was also thinking only of popularity when it brought in former justice minister Kang Kum Sil, who said she once said she had doubts as to why she needed to be the capital's mayor. Both sides deserve to be criticized for actions that have little to do with party development.
If voters are to be assisted in making accurate choices in this election, it is critical that there is detailed examination their qualities and previous deeds. Political reform needs to begin with thorough review of politicians' words and actions, because so far Korean politics has, compared to other areas of society, failed to be thorough in issuing judgment on politicians who lie and change what they say. One hopes to see civic groups engage in exhaustive examination of each candidate.
The Hankyoreh, 10 April 2006.
[Translations by Seoul Selection]
