General Douglas MacArthur was questioned on May 5, 1951, during a combined reading of the US Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees about whether the Japanese had been trusted to protect the rights they had erroneously claimed. He explicitly stated that Japan could maintain its liberal democratic system.
The European issue, in contrast, is a wholly distinct one from the Japanese issue. Germans were a mature culture. The Germans were just as sophisticated as the Anglo-Saxons were in their development, at state 45 years of age. However, the Japanese were in a very tuitionary issue despite their ancient measured by day. They may be comparable to a boy of twelve in terms of our 45-year growth if they were measured against the standards of contemporary civilization. They were prone to adopting innovative concepts and concepts, just like they were during any academic year. You can incorporate fundamental ideas it. They were also elastic and transferable enough to be applicable to new ideas.
Although MacArthur made reference to Japan, some of his observations can be applied to South Korea, particularly in terms of political ideology.
Many South Koreans also struggle to understand the underlying meaning of conservatism despite its rise as a highly developed industrialized country. Importantly, conservatives in South Korea frequently avoid calling themselves” republicans” and rather refer to themselves as “rightists.” Two fundamental errors contribute to this difference.
1. Missinterpretating orthodoxy
Conservatism is generally defined as a “responsibility to traditional beliefs and ideas with opposition to alter or innovation” by South Koreans. This understanding makes conservatism appear firm and unattractive, especially in younger voters, which causes conservative leaders to completely distance themselves from the brand.
Progressivism, which is frequently associated with forward-thinking principles and cultural improvement, is the reverse of conservatism, according to this definition. This poses a branding risk for conservatives because progressivism has a more optimistic connotation essentially.
South Korean traditional leadership must greatly examine the guiding principles of the philosophy they claim to represent in order to correct the misinterpretation. Conservatism is defined by the American Conservative Union as” the political beliefs that person has the right to possess independence over. Conservatism is best described in this standpoint, which emphasizes personal liberty and personal responsibility. If properly communicated, it might have a positive impact on contemporary North Korean citizens.
2. failure to adopt a strong traditional approach
Another significant challenge for North Korean conservative is the absence of a firm, regular philosophical stance, which is similar to “barking up the incorrect tree”
No one ever went to a basketball game to see the judge, according to US Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts, who reportedly said:” Nothing ever went to a game game.”
This metaphor may be applied to South Korean politics because it teaches that judges may act as natural referees as opposed to active players in shaping policy, as Roberts did when he said the public needed to be aware of the “team” it represents.
Leaders of South Korea’s largest conservative party, the People Power Party ( PPP ), have known for decades that their core conservative voter base, often referred to as “house rabbits,” would always support them. By focusing on the facility, they have prioritized appealing to swing citizens and yet left-leaning citizens by shifting their policies and language.
The PPP’s unwillingness to handle traditional narratives is a clear illustration of this failure. For example, the Jeju Uprising of 1948 was started by communist rebels, but the PPP has consistently avoided discussing this subject out of fear of a reaction from swing citizens and socialists.
Nevertheless, this approach has consistently failed:
- Some conservative voters abstain from voting because they feel oppressed and unappreciative.
- Swing voters lack help because they are unable to comprehend the PPP’s philosophical position.
- Regardless of the PPP’s attempt at referral, left-leaning voters continue to support their own group.
It is crucial for North Korean liberals to:
- Respect and express the true significance of conservatism, a theory that is rooted in personal liberty and responsibility rather than just resistance to change.
- Instead of diluteding their message in an effort to appeal to everyone, take a distinct and firm ideological position as a liberal party.
North Korean politicians ‘ shifting political landscape
The Democratic Party of Korea ( DPK) is renowned for its pro-China and anti-US positions, but it has also undergone some dramatic philosophical shifts in recent months:
Although the DPK’s actions are likely just lip service, these developments may point to major changes in South Korea’s two major political parties, which reflect wider changes in the country’s world.
Expansion and challenges
South Korea’s liberal democracy is still maturing despite its difficulties, whether as a result of misinterpretations of conservative or shifting social personalities. This development comes with growing symptoms, just like any development process.
You South Korea remain relied upon to protect the liberties it received after the Korean War? It can and now has. However, a stable political environment and strong international aid are necessary for its continuing development.
Through political commitment, financial assistance, and security assistance, the US, as its long-standing ally, may assist South Korea in navigating challenges, demonstrating that America First does not think America Alone.
Hanjin Lew is a former foreign official for North Korean traditional parties and a political commentator with an emphasis on East Asian matters.
Study: South Korea’s kept struggles to survive in a landscape with right-leaning roots.