THOUGHTS of THE TIMES
We need inclusive leadership
I am anxious because South Korea is becoming one nation with two peoples. We are up against an unprecedented national crisis, and yet there is no leadership attempting to patch up our differences.
In order to integrate public opinion, we have to acknowledge another’s view. A lot of people are now suffering from deepening ideological division over Park Geun-hye’s impeachment.
The next president will inherit rage and division. He must show humility and engagement, and should present a way of harmony, sacrifice and compromise. The people are eager for a leader who has the ability to reconcile and a strong and wise inclusive leadership in times of national crisis.
Under the circumstances, inclusive leadership emerges as a new way to achieve nation unity, which eases the ideological dispute, and heals the deep despair of the ordinary people. Integration is a far-reaching challenge, it is in aid of a worthwhile cause. Above all things, the country extremely needs to stop the political strife to heal the rift and boost integration.
We feel keenly the necessity of inclusive leadership which can disentagle complicated matters, such as the deep-rooted antagonism and feud between conservatives and progressives. Genuinely inclusive leadership comes from forgiveness, tolerance for counterforces, national cohesion, extensive communication and more. Inclusive leadership meets the demand of our time because our political leaders must find and practice the best ways to improve governance by finding settlements through compromise.
The eradication of corruption is extremely necessary for a happier future for the country.
As part of the ways to cope with reforming chaebol, we need to end the corruption and collusion between politicians and business, to help ensure we have an incorruptible country. The next president will face many challenges, the biggest of which is how to integrate public opinion sharply divided into one.
The spirit of the times of the next presidential election is about how to bring reconciliation and integration to the nation and soothe people’s hurt caused by political turmoil.
A competent leader looking at a problem from a rational perspective can find a better way of solving a problem. The national consensus as well as people’s voluntary cooperation and participation are pivotal to resolving ideological disputes and conflicts as this is frosting on the cake. The future of our society depends on whether we succeed in parting with corruption and go beyond ideology, creating a brighter, healthier society which is more transparent and accountable. In addition, we need to create a good corporate culture in which corruption has no place in any sector of our society.
I sincerely wish to see inclusive leadership which strives for national unity and reconciliation.