Has the GNP gotten a virus? Why would we bring in a vaccine doctor?
— from an anonymous GNP member upon hearing that Ahn Cheol-soo, the founder of Korea’s biggest anti-virus software company and a pioneer in Korea’s software industry, may run for the Seoul mayor (link). Maybe there *is* a sickness going ’round . . .
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
No “virus.” Just a serious losing of faith in the idea of political parties in South Korea (not that it was all that comparatively well established or strong to begin with). This Ahn Cheol-soo thing is just another example of those 강남좌파’s whose name gets mentioned because of the further weakening of the party system in South Korea:
More here as well.
The entry of Ahn, in addition to at least two other newcomers with extra-political credentials, is evidence of the lack of credibility and vulnerability of the existing constitution of Korea’s political parties – although one might as well say of Korea’s political culture generally. The issue is whether by aiming for quick accession to high office, rather than the long slog of building an alternate political culture/organizations from the ground up, these guys aren’t just as likely simply to give new life to the existing apparatchiks, a la the Great Pretender, aka Roh Moo Hyun.
“Building an alternate political culture/organizations from the ground up” would be useful but this means that, instead of allowing existing
failedlawmakers to join the new party, the new party would have to ban these guys since they are contaminated with a moral and ethical pox that most likely can not be cured — only quarantined.Read the article title in the JoongAngIlbo (중앙일보):
“대선 후보로 생각해 안 교수 줄곧 관찰”
http://joongang.joinsmsn.com/article/140/6123140.html?ctg=1000&cloc=joongang%7Chome%7Ctop
Oh. My. God.
I’m at a loss for any words.
Prof. Ahn (안 철수) hasn’t even decided to run for the Seoul Mayor… but Yun (윤 여준) is already preparing kind of campaign camp for him.
Yun considers Ahn not only as a Seoul mayor candidate but also a (possibly) future Presidential Candidate although it isn’t clear whether Yun meant 2012 Presidential election or 2017, to tell from the context.
*** My apologies to English speakers: the article is in Korean.
Now I now why south Koreans have been talking more about Yun!
Now ‘Oh My News’ presents an interview with Ahn (안 철수) himself!
http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0001622132&CMPT_CD=T0001
From the article:
“현 집권세력이 정치적 확장성 갖는 것에 반대한다”
안 원장은 ‘역사의 물결’을 이야기하면서 반한나라당 입장을 분명히 했다. 안 원장은 “사실은 이렇게 말하면 너무 나가는 것일 수도 있지만, 제가 생각할 때 역사의 물결을 거스르는 것은 현재의 집권세력이다”면서 “그럼 답은 명료하다. 나는 현 집권세력이 한국사회에서 그 어떤 정치적 확장성을 가지는 것에 반대한다. 제가 만일 어떤 길을 선택한다면 그 길의 가장 중요한 좌표는 이것(한나라당이 정치적 확장성을 가지는 것에 반대)이 될 것이다”고 힘주어 말했다.
*** So this is his (Ahn’s) opinion on GNP (한나라당). No wonder so many centrists, whether centre-to-left or centre-to right, like him a lot.
안 원장은 “한나라당 출신인 윤여준 평화재단 원장이 최근 여러 언론인터뷰를 통해 안 원장을 지도하는 것처럼 보도되고 있다, 정말 그런가”라는 오 대표의 질문에 “그렇지 않다”면서 “윤 원장은 3개월 전에야 처음으로 개인적으로 만났다, 내가 만나 조언 듣는 3백여명의 멘토 중의 한 분”이라고 말했다. 안 원장은 “그분이 선의로 제3당 창당 등 내가 어떻게 했으면 좋겠다는 말씀을 언론 인터뷰를 통해 너무 많이 해 당혹스러웠다”면서 “엊그저께 그분에게 그런 생각들이 제 생각이랑 많이 다르니 앞으로 그러지 마시라고 정중히 부탁드렸다”고 말했다.
*** And this part is about Yun (윤 여준). It sounds like Ahn’s been a little upset with Yun. Understandable.
안 원장은 “나는 그의 동료이자 응원자인데 이번에 박 변호사의 출마 의지가 확실하다는 것을 느낀 이상 내가 어찌 고민하지 않을 수 있겠는가”라고 반문했다. 안 원장은 “만약 내가 출마하더라도 한나라당이 서울시장을 다시 차지하면 안 된다는 점에서 야권진영과의 단일화는 얼마든지 고려할 수 있다”고 말했다. 안 원장은 ‘이번주 초에 박원순 변호사를 만나 대화를 나눌 예정’이라고 말했다.
*** And about lawyer Wonsun Park (박 원순 변호사). Ahn wishes to talk with Park about running for the Seoul Mayor because Park is also considered a candidate for the Seoul Mayor. They have been on very good terms.
Thank for that belair716_. However, as much as I like listening to and reading stuff from Professor 안, I just can’t see how-if he should be elected mayor of Seoul-that he would be an effective steward of the city.
It’s one thing to talk about and analyze politics. Something else entirely to actually do it.
Charles Tilly #5,
“… he [Ahn] would be an effective steward of the city”.
I think lots of people – including those who like Ahn a lot – express the same concern as you do.
* * * * * * *
And still (!) more talk about Ahn.
From the Hani (한겨레 신문):
Now professor Cho (조 국 교수) at SNU views Ahn as: “그는 정치 혐오하는 합리적 보수다”
http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/politics_general/494813.html
*** I like this interview as well
Prof. Cho’s criticisms of Ahn are fair, cautious, accurate and to the point. I’ve got the impression that Cho may want to help Ahn, after all. (I could be wrong about this though…)
You must log in to post a comment.