Era of the 3 Kim and the Changing Landscape of Political Proverbs
In the current era dominated by three prominent political figures named Kim, the influence of ancient proverbs in shaping politics has been evident. YS, known for his fight against dictatorship, left behind a powerful legacy of democratization. JP, on the other hand, was skilled in the art of second-hand politics and embodied the concept of Sangseon Yaksu, which means living naturally like water. However, as the usage of lion idioms dwindles in everyday discourse, the significance of historical events in politics has also evolved. Fewer politicians employ these expressions, and even when they do, their impact seems to be fading.
Mayor Hong Joon-pyo’s “Excessive Desire” and its Historical Connotation
Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo recently tweeted about “excessive desire” without providing any further explanation. This phrase originates from an old story in which Han Shin, a highly respected general, endured humiliation during his youth when he was forced to crawl under the legs of a bully in the street. The intention behind Mayor Hong’s tweet seems to be drawing a parallel with Han Shin’s eventual rise to become the King of Chu, suggesting that he will also overcome his current challenges. However, one might question the appropriateness of employing lion idioms in contemporary politics and whether “excessive lust” itself serves as an adequate metaphor.
The Golf Incident and Mayor Hong’s Response
The controversy surrounding Mayor Hong began with his decision to play golf amidst heavy rain in Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang Province. Daegu City initially downplayed the severity of the situation, believing it would not lead to a major water crisis. However, as the death toll across the country surpassed 40, Mayor Hong ceased to inquire about the situation and eventually issued an apology. The disciplinary committee has scheduled a hearing to investigate his breach of regulations concerning drinking and engaging in recreational activities during a disaster. Mayor Hong, feeling aggrieved, has expressed his belief that such reprimand is unjust.
Mayor Hong’s Decision to Delete the Controversial Post
Mayor Hong removed the controversial post just eight hours after its publication. It is likely that the criticism faced by other politicians, such as the governor of Chungbuk and the mayor of Cheongju for their delayed response and lack of accountability, pushed Mayor Hong to the breaking point. Despite his claim of diligently reading six newspapers every morning, addressing relevant issues, and greeting each day, Mayor Hong now needs to assess the need for introspection and self-reflection.
Criticisms and Questions Surrounding Mayor Hong’s Actions
When the Korea Meteorological Administration issued a warning about extreme heavy rain in the central region, including North Gyeongsang Province, Mayor Hong continued playing golf in the rain. His round of golf lasted only about an hour, not due to his own decision, but rather because the golf course closed. Furthermore, his decision to delete the post the following morning, after gaining a clear perspective, raises questions about the appropriateness of publishing it in the first place. Additionally, comparing oneself to Han Shin and leaving behind a message of continuing for the future after an apology press conference might be seen as out of touch with the gravity of the situation. Considering Mayor Hong’s substantial voter support in the presidential election six years ago, one must wonder if he truly feels embarrassed. Will he offer a sincere apology to the public and accept the disciplinary committee’s decision? Or is this indicative of a political approach that has strayed from public sentiment and failed to readjust after making mistakes?
Kim Seung-ryun, Editorial Writer, srkim@donga.com
In the era of the 3 Kim, the politics of ancient proverbs shone. YS, who fought against dictatorship, left a great door (there is no gate on the main road that leads to democratization), and JP, who was good at second-hand politics, left Sangseon Yaksu (上善若水, the best way to live naturally like water). As the compressive power of lion idioms has disappeared from everyday language, the politics of historical events have also changed. The number of politicians who use them has decreased, and even if they appear occasionally, they do not show their taste.
▷ Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo wrote on social media the night before that it was ‘excessive desire’ without any explanation. It is a word from the old story that Han Shin, Han Gojo’s almost general, suffered the humiliation that passed under the crotch as demanded by a bully in the street when he was young. I will suffer shame now, but I think I wrote it to mean that I will stand up like Hanshin, who later became the King of Chu. However, the question arises whether now is the time for politics with lion idioms, and whether excessive lust itself is an appropriate metaphor.
▷ The start of the trouble he claims was golf on Saturday. Mayor Hong visited the golf course on Saturday morning last week when heavy rain poured down in Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang Province. Daegu City judged that there would be no major water crisis, and explained that the disappearance of a single Daegu citizen had not been reported before. When the number of deaths across the country reached more than 40, Mayor Hong stopped asking what was wrong and eventually apologized. In the power of the people, the date of the disciplinary committee for breaching the provisions of ‘no drinking and golf during a disaster’ has been set. It is his freedom that Mayor Hong feels is being humiliated after reprimanding the party leadership, saying, “It’s absurd.”
▷ Mayor Hong removed those 8 letters in 8 hours yesterday morning. When the governor of Chungbuk and the mayor of Cheongju were beaten for their late response and evasion of responsibility, he must have lost the strength to endure. Mayor Hong has been proud to say, “I wake up at 4:00 am, read six newspapers in the morning, set the issue and address of the day, and greet the morning.” Although they have no political power, they say they came to this place with political sense, but now is the time to check themselves.
▷ First of all, even after the Korea Meteorological Administration sent a disaster message saying that ‘extreme heavy rain’ was coming to the central region, including North Gyeongsang Province, they continued to play golf in the rain. Golf ended after about an hour. However, that was because the golf course was closed, and there was no explanation for him returning on his own, saying, ‘I can’t do this.’ Also, if it was enough to delete it after reading it the next morning with a clear mind, I should have refrained from reading it the night before. In particular, after the apology conference, it is not appropriate to compare yourself to Hanshin and leave a message saying, ‘I continue for the future’. Would it really embarrass Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who received 7.8 million votes in the presidential election six years ago? Will he apologize to the people and be called to the disciplinary committee? Or is it a blunt sense of politics that has gone away from public sentiment and failed to return to its original position after catching mistakes?
Kim Seung-ryun, Editorial Writer, srkim@donga.com
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