[Editorial] ‘New Right’ Must Be True To Its Name

The National New Right Union ("New Right Jeon'guk Yeonhap") held its official kick-off on Monday. It claims to have a nationwide organizational structure. It becomes the second group to borrow the English words "new" and "right" to publicly advocate the a new, right-leaning political movement, following the earlier establishment of the "New Right Network." What that means is that a conservative movement has emerged which claims to be different from the old establishment conservatives, and that it has started to bring its campaign to the general population.

The reason they are avoiding an easy Korean name and insist on using the English name "new right" for their movement could perhaps be understood as a desire to create a new image, one that leaves the old and narrow-minded feel of the old establishment conservatives behind. If that is their intention, then their appearance on the political stage might be what brings about a new awakening on the part of elements belonging to the old establishment, which still lives off of a dated view of the world. "There is no future without introspection," says the new group in its founding declaration. "We must spare no effort in correcting the problems of the heritage of the 'old right' that are hidden in its legendary 'success.'" In defining its ideology, the group says that the country's "cultural tradition" must be joined with liberalism to, on the one hand, guarantee personal freedom to the greatest extent possible and, on the other, to maintain the warmth of community. If the "National New Right Union" follows through with that, there will be no more wasting away the nation's energy on hallow ideological confrontations or redbaiting.

However, looking at the group's specific goals you doubt how much can be expected of it. In its founding declaration it cited "setting straight the identity of the Republic of Korea, which has been perverted by a leftist, self-tormenting view of history" as the most urgent and essential task that lies ahead. You can see how they interpret history in the way they unhesitatingly adopt the term "self-tormenting view of history," which is used by far-right groups in Japan to justify their country's aggression against Asia. Their short term goal is "preventing another left-leaning government from taking power in 2007," and that is some of the same outdated politics that relies on redbaiting. Just changing your name does not transform you into a rational conservative.

The Hankyoreh, 8 November 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection