During his visit to Italy, President Lee Jae-myung delivered a significant message to the Democratic Party of Korea.
"The ruling party's passion should be directed not just towards our faction but towards the entire nation," he stated, emphasizing that the ruling party must focus more on the language of responsibility than on the language of conviction. This is not mere political rhetoric; it is a principle that the government and ruling party must heed as they enter their second term.
Following the recent local elections, President Lee described the Democratic Party's results as a "warning from the people." He stressed that the ruling party must serve as a vessel for inclusion and unity. His recent remarks echo this sentiment, serving as a reminder not to become complacent in power but to maintain a sense of responsibility and balance as the governing force.
Politics does not end with winning elections. Election victories are merely the starting point. While criticism and oversight may take precedence when in opposition, the dynamics change once in power. Citizens demand solutions over criticism and results over claims. The value of the ruling party is assessed not by what it proclaims but by what it resolves.
The political philosophy of German sociologist Max Weber, which President Lee referenced, aligns with this idea. Weber identified passion, responsibility, and a sense of balance as essential qualities for politicians. He warned that having conviction without responsibility can lead to dogmatism, while unrealistic idealism can devolve into demagoguery. Conversely, losing sight of ideals can reduce politics to a mere tool for maintaining power.
Notably, President Lee remarked that if victory is achieved not through conquest but through competition, then inclusivity and openness are essential. In a democratic society, winning an election does not grant the right to exclude opponents but imposes the duty to represent all citizens. This is a fundamental principle of democracy.
Within the Democratic Party, competition for leadership is intensifying ahead of the party convention in August. A rivalry is forming between Representative Jeong Cheong-rae and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, raising concerns about factional conflicts. While competition within the party is not inherently problematic, as diverse opinions and competition are natural in a democratic party, the direction of that competition is crucial. If it appears to be a struggle for power rather than a competition for policies benefiting the public, trust from the citizens will quickly erode.
The recent local elections brought victories for the Democratic Party but also served as a warning. In some regions, the party received lower-than-expected results, and citizens are demanding greater accountability and performance from the ruling party. This is likely why President Lee characterized the election results as an "incomplete victory."
The ruling party is different from the opposition. The opposition can validate its existence through criticism, but the ruling party is evaluated based on results. If the opposition's language is one of attack, the ruling party's language must be one of responsibility. If the opposition's weapon is criticism, the ruling party's weapon must be results.
President Lee's message is not solely directed at the Democratic Party; it is a principle of democracy that all ruling entities should reflect upon. Power is not an end in itself but a means. The reason citizens entrust power is not for the victory of a particular faction but to improve their lives.
If the ruling party genuinely seeks to earn the trust of the people, it must focus on the language of responsibility rather than the language of conviction. This is the attitude required of a governing force that represents all citizens and the most fundamental duty demanded by democracy.
"The ruling party's passion should be directed not just towards our faction but towards the entire nation," he stated, emphasizing that the ruling party must focus more on the language of responsibility than on the language of conviction. This is not mere political rhetoric; it is a principle that the government and ruling party must heed as they enter their second term.
Following the recent local elections, President Lee described the Democratic Party's results as a "warning from the people." He stressed that the ruling party must serve as a vessel for inclusion and unity. His recent remarks echo this sentiment, serving as a reminder not to become complacent in power but to maintain a sense of responsibility and balance as the governing force.
Politics does not end with winning elections. Election victories are merely the starting point. While criticism and oversight may take precedence when in opposition, the dynamics change once in power. Citizens demand solutions over criticism and results over claims. The value of the ruling party is assessed not by what it proclaims but by what it resolves.
The political philosophy of German sociologist Max Weber, which President Lee referenced, aligns with this idea. Weber identified passion, responsibility, and a sense of balance as essential qualities for politicians. He warned that having conviction without responsibility can lead to dogmatism, while unrealistic idealism can devolve into demagoguery. Conversely, losing sight of ideals can reduce politics to a mere tool for maintaining power.
Notably, President Lee remarked that if victory is achieved not through conquest but through competition, then inclusivity and openness are essential. In a democratic society, winning an election does not grant the right to exclude opponents but imposes the duty to represent all citizens. This is a fundamental principle of democracy.
Within the Democratic Party, competition for leadership is intensifying ahead of the party convention in August. A rivalry is forming between Representative Jeong Cheong-rae and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, raising concerns about factional conflicts. While competition within the party is not inherently problematic, as diverse opinions and competition are natural in a democratic party, the direction of that competition is crucial. If it appears to be a struggle for power rather than a competition for policies benefiting the public, trust from the citizens will quickly erode.
The recent local elections brought victories for the Democratic Party but also served as a warning. In some regions, the party received lower-than-expected results, and citizens are demanding greater accountability and performance from the ruling party. This is likely why President Lee characterized the election results as an "incomplete victory."
The ruling party is different from the opposition. The opposition can validate its existence through criticism, but the ruling party is evaluated based on results. If the opposition's language is one of attack, the ruling party's language must be one of responsibility. If the opposition's weapon is criticism, the ruling party's weapon must be results.
President Lee's message is not solely directed at the Democratic Party; it is a principle of democracy that all ruling entities should reflect upon. Power is not an end in itself but a means. The reason citizens entrust power is not for the victory of a particular faction but to improve their lives.
If the ruling party genuinely seeks to earn the trust of the people, it must focus on the language of responsibility rather than the language of conviction. This is the attitude required of a governing force that represents all citizens and the most fundamental duty demanded by democracy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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