Like Father, Like Son
By Park Moo-joong
Economic Editor
The Korea Times
July 30, 1999The entire nation's struggles to emerge from the economic difficulties have finally been rewarded with the economy on an apparent recovery path.
But obstacles to the public crusade for a new economic "take-off" remain. Far from encouraging or joining the public in the national march toward economic rebirth are disgraced former president Kim Young-sam and his son Hyon-chol.
At the very moment the whole nation was desperately pooling its wisdom in search of a solution to a financial pinch at Daewoo, the nation's second-largest conglomerate, Kim and his second son and certain politicians in the ruling camp were still going their own way in a selfish quest to further their own interests.
Less than one and a half years after he left office in disgrace after serving out his five-year term as president, Kim announced a political comeback attempt in what was a clear breach of promise.
His excuse for reentering the political sphere was, in short, President Kim Dae-jung, his successor and fore- most political rival, whom he has repeatedly called a dictator. Claiming the incumbent chief executive was attempting to hold on to power indefinitely, Kim vowed to "create a new political framework to fulfill people's hopes and dreams."
He seems to have a misunderstanding as to what the people's ambitions are.
Kim went so far as to brand the President a liar, claiming, "Everything Kim Dae-jung says is a lie. As long as the nation has such a deceitful leader, our future is hopeless."
The words dictator and liar should not be used lightly in reference to a private citizen, much less the head of state.
Small wonder the former president's behavior invited immediate criticism from the people, particularly social and civic groups, who advised Kim to repent for his misdeeds while in office, describing him as the incompetent head of state who forced the nation to the brink of collapse (in November 1997)."
What is outraging the people most is that Kim is exploiting deep-rooted regionalism on the basis of his support base in Pusan and the Kyongsang-namdo area.
It is a pity that such a seasoned politician refuses to heed the voice of the people at the same time as he remains blissfully unaware of what the people really think of him.
It seems none of his "faithful" aides shy away from mincing their words in addressing their stubborn boss.
It would be better for the nation and the people for Kim to keep silent. As the failed leader who had led the nation's economy to the brink of collapse, he is unqualified to vilify the government.
The proverb - "stretch your arm no further than your sleeve will reach" - is good advice for the former president.
Adding insult, to injury are rumors that Kim's convicted second son Hyon-chol will benefit from a special amnesty on Aug. 15, Liberation Day (from the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule).
In Kim's retrial on tax evasion charges, the man who had intervened irk state affairs while not even holding an official post was finally sentenced to two years in jail.
Kim, who has been free on bail since November 1997, has never shown an ounce of remorse for his misdeeds.
Against the final verdict on June 23, he filed another appeal to the Supreme Court, thus legally, avoiding being imprisoned again.
In the face of rumors that he would be paroled on Aug. 15, the junior Kim withdrew the action Tuesday, meaning he is subject to immediate imprisonment.
However, it will take more than two weeks to complete the necessary paperwork and if he is granted an amnesty, he will not serve a single day in jail.
The junior Kim allegedly gave up the appeal in expectation of the government's leniency.
The ruling camp is reportedly pushing through the parole for the junior Kim in order to appease his father, now preoccupied with defaming President Kim Dae-jung, although its own public poll showed that 90 percent of those questioned opposed the amnesty.
Public sentiment is that the junior Kim should be sent to jail to pay for his crimes and repent for his selfish exploitation of his status as son of the president.
A political decision to allow an amnesty for such a criminal will only weaken the people's will to work hard and honestly for the economic recovery and diminish their faith in the nation's justice.
A crow is never the white for washing herself.
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