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The president told a Tuesday dinner with leaders of the administration, legislation and judicature, "After three-and-a-half years since I assumed the presidency, what I remember is only that the country has been noisy. Nonetheless, I¡¯ve done a lot of work that had been left unfinished, and I¡¯ve done what had to be done by all means. Difficult as it was, I feel there has been some value." Koreans share the feeling that the past three-and-a-half years they have had with the president were noisy.
But it did not just happen to erupt into a din, it became noisy because the president made it so. In February 2004, the chief executive said, "Many are concerned that the country is noisy, but repairing old frameworks and building a new house can cause some noise." In February, he said, "The past three years have been noisy, but the remaining two years will also have to be busy, controversial and somewhat noisy. I've made up my mind to that effect."
But besides succeeding at that task beyond the call of duty, the president seems to think he did something worthy. How can his assessment be so diametrically opposite from the people¡¯s? Had the country been making a racket doing jobs left undone and completing essential national tasks, Koreans might have consoled themselves that it was difficult but worth it. But that is not what they feel.
During his first year in office, the president demanded a national vote of confidence in him; in the second year, he clashed with the Constitution and constitutional agencies over remarks backing the ruling party in the run-up to the general election and the abortive capital relocation plan. Last year he lectured us on a grand coalition, pledging to hand over some or all of his power, only to invite an outcry from his supporters. This year he cashed in on polarization between the haves and have-nots. Just now, he has been working to dismantle Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, the basic framework of our national security, and is splitting the nation between those who favor the alliance and those who want ¡°independence." How many people are going to agree that it all ¡°had to be done?¡±
In the remaining year and a half of his tenure, would the president please just keep it down?
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