This is an extremely unfortunate first in the history of our constitutional system, and a tragedy resulting from our immature politics. Citizens have, finally, been forced to endure even this, and one cannot help but sigh.

At this moment, the most import thing is to watch over the nation. Every citizen must do his or her duty, and it's time for people to think about how precious it is to protect the nation, and act accordingly. Of course, the person with the most important responsibility is President Roh. Now, when no one can jump to conclusions as to how the Constitutional Court will decide, Roh should cooperate with the court so that the process of coming to a decision on his impeachment -- in accordance with the constitution and law -- will be a smooth one. This is the path to save the nation and avoid crisis.

How was this nation founded, and how did we get to where we are? When you think back on that difficult past, you can see we must keep the nation from being sucked into a vortex, and the person who can do that is President Roh. In that regard, it was quite fortunate and considerate that we didn't see Cheong Wa Dae immediately going off on the National Assembly's decision.

No less than Roh, the opposition parties that pushed through the impeachment motion must feel responsibility. The opposition should not view this as a victory, but keep in mind that they, too, are standing before the citizens awaiting judgment, and they must pledge to cooperate whole heartedly with the acting president's running of national affairs. If the opposition becomes intoxicated with the feelings of victory, acts rashly, or makes divisive, provocative statements, the people will not forgive them. As one of the parties in this confrontation, the opposition must employ self-control, and now focus on their own faults rather than those of the president. This is the path to lessening the insecurities of the people.

The mission Prime Minister Goh Kun, who must now serve the role of acting president, is invaluable. He must use all his talents built up during his many years of government service to do everything he can to normalize the constitutional order in this time of constitutional crisis and national emergency. If even a little crack appears in our national security or economy, an unexpected situation may arise. As Goh has made clear, all civil servants must face this national situation with uncommon resolve.

As far as our security is concerned, we mustn't permit any optimism or laxness. The U.S.-Korea alliance must first be inspected and strengthened, and Goh shouldn't allow any hitch in the preparations to send 3,000 troops to Iraq, a dispatch that may very well take place during his time as acting president.

Even so, the most immediate insecurity felt by citizens is whether the stagnant economy won't get worse as a result of the impeachment situation. Of course, the government must do everything it can, but corporations that have been reluctant to invest during last year's uncertainties must also fully cooperate in running the economy in this time of emergency.

Starting with President Roh and acting President Goh, what everyone has to bear in mind is the maintenance of social order. Everyone is demanding that people show temperance in their speech and actions, as if they were walking on a thin sheet of ice. The government must show resolve in keeping law and order so that radicals of either persuasion do not do anything rash in this atmosphere of acute tensions, and it must put that intention into practice.

Every citizen of the Republic of Korea must not forget - not even for a moment - today’s reality, a reality that is testing the capabilities of the entire nation. In particular, a sense of duty among government servants - from border guards along the DMZ and low-ranking civil servants to the highest government ministers - is more urgent than ever.

Goh’s duties do not stop at managing a simple transition. He must try to mend the tensions and fissures that have popped up in our society, and work to heal the scars of discord as quickly as possible. If he fails to do this, society will revert to dissention and tension, regardless of how the Constitutional Court rules.

As the man who will have to allow the nation to recover from its scars, the first principle Goh must keep is to close his eyes to politics. The general election may take place during his watch. With Roh linking his political future to the outcome of the election and the impeachment issue added on, one can see that this election is going to be a fight to the death.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the resuscitation of this nation’s constitutional system rests on how impartially and strictly Goh manages the general election. He must start from ensuring that all ministries are free from accusations of election-time policy making and are strictly impartial.

Now, the decision-making responsibility has gone to the Constitutional Court. The court must quickly, accurately, and fairly decide on the status of President Roh’s impeachment. In order to shorten and minimize national insecurity, it must make a decision quickly, and that decision must be made through an impartial process in accordance with due legal procedures so that all parties and the citizens submit to it. During the course of making its decision, the court may anticipate political and social pressure, but it must overcome that pressure and make sure to carry out its mission as the institution charged with protecting the constitution.

Today’s situation is one that even we, a people who have endured almost every kind of hardship, have yet to experience. People who oppose the impeachment, those who agree with it, people who are furious, people who are satisfied ? everyone can think differently. But we mustn’t forget that everyone agrees that protecting the nation comes before our individual emotions.

Protecting the nation is nothing other than looking at the law and then going in the direction that the law points. At this very moment, showing self-restraint and following the law is the only way we can protect the nation and overcome this crisis.