[Insight & Opinion] An Era Where the Power of Citizens Surpasses the Power of Politics

Miracle of K-Culture Follows Economic Growth and Democratization
The Era of Elite Leadership Has Ended
Self-Leadership Over Political Leadership

‘Korea, the impossible country’

This is the title of a book about Korea written by Daniel Tudor, a British journalist who worked as The Economist’s Korea correspondent from 2010. The English version of the book was published first, followed by the Korean edition titled ‘The Country That Achieved a Miracle, the Country That Lost Its Joy’ the next year.

The reason for introducing this book is to take another look at our society through the perspective of a third party, not a Korean. The author uses the book’s title, ‘impossible country,’ in two senses. One is the positive meaning, as we well know, that Korea achieved the miracle of economic growth and democratization that was once thought impossible. It is a title that praises the country for making the impossible possible. The other meaning is negative: Koreans put too much pressure and demand on themselves to conform uniformly to impossible standards in education, appearance, and professional achievement. The title also reflects the loss of joy caused by collectively pursuing impossible goals excessively.

Reading this book allows us Koreans to objectively reaffirm the proud DNA we share. In fact, our people are more diligent and passionate than those of any other country in the world. Our curiosity, thirst for knowledge, inquisitiveness, and energy are also among the highest globally. These positive traits of Koreans were the driving force behind the Miracle on the Han River and turning the impossible into possible.

Moreover, the miracles that made the impossible possible did not stop at economic growth and democratization. From K-movies, K-dramas, K-music, K-food, to K-literature, Korea continues to turn new impossibilities into possibilities. Without even realizing it, the Republic of Korea has evolved from a country known only for the Saemaul Movement and the Miracle on the Han River into an attractive nation that captivates people worldwide through its culture, arts, food, and lifestyle.

It is almost astonishing that despite politics failing to perform its role properly and the ruling and opposition parties fighting like this, Korea is increasingly loved as an attractive country. It seems to be the result of the sweat and effort of each and every citizen. I also think that Korea’s national development approach is shifting from top-down to bottom-up. Beyond the era when political leadership and policy leadership leading the entire country were important, now self-leadership, where individuals lead themselves, may play a greater role.

Then, let us neither place too much expectation on politics that is not performing well nor be more disappointed. Rather, each smart and wise citizen should manage their own life better and contribute to society in their own way. I believe that doing so is the sustainable path for Korea to continue developing into a better society.

The era when a few elites and politicians led the nation and society is over. It has changed to an era where each smart ordinary citizen manages their own life and contributes to building a better society. Instead of disappointment in politics, let us all take more pride in ourselves. Let us think that even if politics is lacking, if each citizen does well, it will be enough. Let us create a better future by the power of citizens, not the power of politics. It is time not to rely too much on politics but for each of us to take pride and fully demonstrate the proud DNA that we Koreans possess. That is the way forward for individuals to improve and for society to become a better, more attractive country.

Kim Hyungon, Invited Professor at Chungnam National University Graduate School of Public Policy · Former Director of the National Assembly Future Institute