On Buddha's Birthday, President Lee Jae-myung stated at a ceremony at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul that he aims to create a government that "saves the lives of the people." He emphasized, "I will pay closer attention to the lives of each citizen and listen to the voices from the lowest levels of society."
Highlighting the Buddhist principle of 'harmonious unity,' he stressed the need to overcome the nation's crises with collective strength. In a time of deepening political polarization and social conflict, the president's call for unity and coexistence carries significant weight.
The concept of harmonious unity does not mean erasing differing opinions. It advocates recognizing differences without resorting to extremes and finding a path forward for the community. This aligns with the essence of democracy, which is not about eliminating opponents but about reconciling diverse opinions within a system.
The challenge lies in the current political landscape, which seems to stray from this direction. Political parties react swiftly to each other's mistakes and inflammatory remarks but are reluctant to cooperate for the sake of people's livelihoods and the economy. Even in the context of local elections, emotional rhetoric and partisan rivalry often overshadow policy competition. While political criticism is necessary, repeated demonization of opponents can lead society to become accustomed to a politics of hostility.
Buddhism emphasizes the Middle Way, which encourages finding balance without leaning towards extremes. The same applies to politics. While majority rule is a fundamental principle of democracy, a democracy that does not respect minority opinions is unlikely to endure. The president and the ruling party should not dominate simply because they hold power, and the opposition cannot gain public trust through unconditional opposition alone. Politics should focus on persuading the public rather than subduing opponents.
Currently, South Korea faces significant economic challenges, including low growth, high inflation, an aging population, regional decline, youth anxiety, and industrial restructuring. The strategic competition between the U.S. and China, along with supply chain shifts and the AI revolution, has further increased national uncertainty. If politics becomes mired in division and confrontation during such times, the country's overall capacity to respond will inevitably weaken.
Historically, moments when nations overcame crises were marked by the strength of unity over conflict. The gold-collecting campaign during the financial crisis symbolized national solidarity. During the COVID-19 crisis, the cooperation between healthcare workers and citizens sustained society. Conversely, when politics becomes extremely polarized, economic and social instability tends to increase. Politics should not create anxiety among the public but rather provide reassurance.
The president's vision of a "government that saves the lives of the people" must start from this premise. Protecting citizens' lives encompasses more than just disaster response; it includes ensuring safe workplaces and streets, safeguarding the vulnerable through welfare, reducing conflicts through effective systems, and fostering a political culture that prevents hatred and violence. Politics that sustains the lives of the people must be proven through policies and actions, not just words.
The spirit of harmonious unity is required from both the ruling and opposition parties. Politicians must break free from the habit of defining opponents as enemies during elections and solely focusing on rallying their support bases. They should cooperate on national issues, openly discuss policy differences, and use restrained language in front of the public. This is fundamental and common sense.
The message of Buddha's Birthday should not end as a mere congratulatory remark at a religious event. Unity and coexistence must be a public commitment that the entire political sphere practices. The public desires a politics that solves problems rather than one that thrives on conflict. Harmonious unity is not a complex Buddhist term but a common sense that today's South Korean politics urgently needs to learn.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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