[Initial Perspective] Political 'Paejok' Declaration

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The term '폐족 (廢族, disgraced clan)' is a fearful word for politicians. Can someone who has tasted power let go of themselves? What, how, and how much must one let go? For those in Yeouido's political circles accustomed to political engineering thinking, this is a philosophical question that brings confusion.

The reason why the '폐족 declaration' is a fearful word is that it is an act of throwing oneself into an endless 'quagmire.' If the public evaluates that the 'time for reflection' has been fulfilled, there may be a chance for revival, but one may never come out of the swamp of public neglect.

The word 폐족 has re-emerged as a keyword of interest in Yeouido politics because of Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party. When Chairman Kim expressed his conviction that the mistakes of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye should be apologized to the public, the party was engulfed in a controversy over pros and cons.

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader, are attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Politicians who have inherited the political philosophy of former presidents are jumping up, saying "That makes no sense." On the other hand, some argue that a 'new 폐족 declaration' is necessary for the party's future.

The dictionary meaning of 폐족 is a clan whose ancestors committed great crimes, making their descendants unable to hold official positions. To govern a country, one must hold power, but if one cannot hold office, how bleak is the situation? The term 폐족 was imprinted in Korean political history right after the 2007 presidential election.

At that time, the ruling power was like a shipwreck. After suffering a crushing defeat in the presidential election, trailing Lee Myung-bak, the Grand National Party candidate, by more than 5 million votes, their support base collapsed. In particular, the pro-Roh (pro-Roh Moo-hyun) faction, which formed the core of the Blue House and the ruling party, faced a situation where the future was uncertain. The 폐족 declaration came out at that time.

Ahn Hee-jung, then known as a close aide to President Roh Moo-hyun and the Standing Executive Committee Member of the Participatory Government Evaluation Forum, described the pro-Roh faction as 폐족 in a column posted on his homepage on December 26, 2007.

Kim Jong-in, Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee, is delivering opening remarks at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held on the 5th at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

"We, who have been called pro-Roh (親盧), are 폐족 (disgraced clan). We are in the same position as those who must bow down and beg for forgiveness for our sins. We do not have the luxury to cry fully." This contained a self-reproach that a bitter reflection was necessary regarding the presidential election defeat. However, at that time, the 폐족 declaration was not accepted as an invitation to disappear into history, leaving behind the dream of holding office (public official positions), as the dictionary meaning suggests.

When the Participatory Government Evaluation Forum declared its dissolution, the pro-Roh faction began to gather again around the preparatory committee of the foundation 'Gwangjang.' Many politicians who were members of the 폐족 dreamed not of 'retiring from politics' but of '권토중래 (卷土重來, a comeback after defeat).'

When holding power tightly in one's hands, it is easy to mistakenly believe that it is 'one's own' that can be possessed whenever one wishes. Thinking that countless supporters firmly back one up, what is there to fear in the world? Because of such an attitude, they fail to recognize that they are being ignored by the public, leading inevitably to a vicious cycle.

Perhaps that is why the waiting period became longer than expected. It took ten years after the 폐족 declaration for the pro-Roh faction to be given another chance to govern. The process of regaining the power entrusted by the people was a time of pain.

This is the point from which the People Power Party must learn a lesson. Before considering whether to make another version of the 폐족 declaration, it is necessary to examine themselves. Is the People Power Party prepared to endure the years of patience and hardship? Even if the public does not open their hearts, do they intend to continue efforts to win that trust?

If that is the mindset, an apology for the mistakes of former presidents can be a starting point to free the party from the shackles that have constrained it. Ultimately, the waiting time depends on the People Power Party. If it ends as a one-time 'political performance,' it means that not only will there be no electoral windfall, but it will be difficult to avoid the backlash of 'scratching a sore.'