ID :
35094
Thu, 12/11/2008 - 15:36
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/35094
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(EDITORIAL from JoongAng Daily on Dec. 11)
At a luncheon yesterday with President Lee Myung-bak, the country's elders - including former statesmen and leading public figures - repeatedly emphasized "national unity."
In the face of the economic crisis, they advised the president to comfort and give hope to the people, who are exhausted as the year???s end approaches. They particularly stressed the need to pay special
attention to the poor, our society???s underdogs.
At this point, we want to again bring up the president's promise to donate his
personal assets to society. On Dec. 7 last year, on the eve of the presidential
election, Lee made a pledge that he will give up his wealth in its entirety to
society. No follow-up measure, however, has been announced since.
One year has passed and the opposition parties are demanding that Lee keep the
promise. A Blue House official said the presidential office is listening to
public opinion to decide how to make the contribution.
The president???s donation could be a very effective political maneuver at this
point. While 30 billion won ($21.5 million) is a relatively small amount in terms
of state affairs, it is everything Lee owns. Therefore, keeping the promise will
have a symbolic meaning to show the president???s honesty and sincerity to the
nation.
First, Lee must again make public his strong intention to contribute his wealth
to society to win the public???s trust. One year has passed since he made the
promise, but the public has heard nothing about it since. No wonder the public
has become skeptical about his willingness to follow through.
The first step will be releasing the general direction he will take to make the
contribution. He should not spend a long time deliberating on this matter.
He has already received advice on the general direction to take from the
country???s elders. The state leader???s wealth should be provided to the people
suffering most due to the current crisis. After all, it is clear that not
everyone can be saved from hardship. The president???s assets should be provided
to the poor unconditionally in order to give hope to the nation, and that is more
than enough.
That kind of leadership will shine amid a crisis and that is the way to unify the
nation.
Lee must not be obsessed with formality, such as establishing a foundation named
after himself. There is no need for him to add more money to enlarge the fund. It
is more than enough to give everything to the hardest-hit people in these most
difficult times.
Not all heads of state must contribute their wealth to society, but Lee promised
to do so in order to be voted to the presidency. He must keep his word without
reservation since he did in fact become the leader. Lee has already made up his
mind to contribute his wealth, and this is the best time to do so.
(END)
In the face of the economic crisis, they advised the president to comfort and give hope to the people, who are exhausted as the year???s end approaches. They particularly stressed the need to pay special
attention to the poor, our society???s underdogs.
At this point, we want to again bring up the president's promise to donate his
personal assets to society. On Dec. 7 last year, on the eve of the presidential
election, Lee made a pledge that he will give up his wealth in its entirety to
society. No follow-up measure, however, has been announced since.
One year has passed and the opposition parties are demanding that Lee keep the
promise. A Blue House official said the presidential office is listening to
public opinion to decide how to make the contribution.
The president???s donation could be a very effective political maneuver at this
point. While 30 billion won ($21.5 million) is a relatively small amount in terms
of state affairs, it is everything Lee owns. Therefore, keeping the promise will
have a symbolic meaning to show the president???s honesty and sincerity to the
nation.
First, Lee must again make public his strong intention to contribute his wealth
to society to win the public???s trust. One year has passed since he made the
promise, but the public has heard nothing about it since. No wonder the public
has become skeptical about his willingness to follow through.
The first step will be releasing the general direction he will take to make the
contribution. He should not spend a long time deliberating on this matter.
He has already received advice on the general direction to take from the
country???s elders. The state leader???s wealth should be provided to the people
suffering most due to the current crisis. After all, it is clear that not
everyone can be saved from hardship. The president???s assets should be provided
to the poor unconditionally in order to give hope to the nation, and that is more
than enough.
That kind of leadership will shine amid a crisis and that is the way to unify the
nation.
Lee must not be obsessed with formality, such as establishing a foundation named
after himself. There is no need for him to add more money to enlarge the fund. It
is more than enough to give everything to the hardest-hit people in these most
difficult times.
Not all heads of state must contribute their wealth to society, but Lee promised
to do so in order to be voted to the presidency. He must keep his word without
reservation since he did in fact become the leader. Lee has already made up his
mind to contribute his wealth, and this is the best time to do so.
(END)
