This Year's Four-Character Idiom Targets Yoon's Impeachment? ... During Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye Eras [News Explanation]

(49) Korean Society Reflected in Four-Character Idioms
This Year's Idiom: 'Doryangbalho'
9/11 Terror: 'Orimujung' International Situation
During Park's Impeachment: 'Gunjuminsoo' Emphasizing Sovereignty of the People
Also Reflecting Sewol Ferry and Itaewon Disasters

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In the third presidential impeachment crisis in constitutional history, the four-character idiom of the year chosen by university professors nationwide, 'Doryangbalho (跳梁跋扈),' has been said to fully reflect the state of Korean society. Doryangbalho means wielding power arbitrarily and rampaging recklessly, containing criticism of the political sphere. It is regarded as an appropriate idiom to point out the current situation of the December 3 emergency martial law incident. Since 2001, Professor Newspaper has conducted annual surveys of university professors nationwide to select the idiom of the year.

Former President Roh Moo-hyun was the first president whose duties were suspended due to impeachment by the National Assembly. The idiom of the year in 2004, when his impeachment motion was passed, was 'Dangdongbeori' (forming factions with the same group and excluding others). At that time, professors cited 'presidential impeachment' (44.4%) as the worst event in Korea that year, viewing the impeachment attempt as driven more by partisan interests than reasonable grounds and justification, resulting in a threat to Korean democracy. The impeachment trial against former President Roh was dismissed in May of the same year.

On the 12th, citizens held a rally at the Geoduri intersection in Dongnae-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon, calling for the resignation of President Yoon Seok-yeol and demanding the dissolution of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

In 2016, when the first impeachment of a sitting president in constitutional history was accepted, the idiom of the year was 'Gunjuminsoo.' During the so-called political scandal that led to the passage of the impeachment motion against former President Park Geun-hye, Korea's democracy attracted international attention through candlelight protests and more. Gunjuminsoo means that the power of the river can both float and overturn a boat, symbolizing that the sovereignty of the state lies with the people. On March 10, 2017, the Constitutional Court unanimously accepted the impeachment motion, and former President Park was removed from office.

In the first year of the Moon Jae-in administration, which followed, the idiom 'Pasahyeonjeong' was chosen, reflecting the major themes of clearing deep-rooted evils and reform. It means breaking and exposing evil and wrong things and revealing what is right, embodying the hope that the Moon administration's efforts to clear deep-rooted evils would lead to fundamental reform. Unlike previous years when negative idioms expressing concerns and criticism were selected, this hopeful idiom drew attention. Following it were ▲ 2nd place Haehyeon-gyeongjang (replacing the loosened strings of a geomungo) ▲ 3rd place Surakseokchul (stones revealed as water recedes) ▲ 4th place Jaejosanha (rebuilding the nation) ▲ 5th place Hwankoltaltae (rebirth), all carrying strong calls for reform.

Besides presidential impeachment, major political and social events have also influenced the selection of the idiom of the year. In 2001, when international affairs were unstable due to the 9/11 terror attacks, 'Orimujung' (unable to find direction like in a fog) was chosen. In 2007, amid rampant academic credential forgery scandals in the cultural sector, 'Jagigiiin' (self-deception) was selected to criticize the falsehoods prevalent in society. The idiom of 2008, a year marked by candlelight protests over U.S. beef imports and the U.S.-origin financial crisis, was 'Hojilgi.' It means 'having an illness but reluctant to see a doctor for treatment,' criticizing the political sphere for ignoring the people's advice and criticism.

Major disasters that plunged society into grief have also been reflected in the idiom of the year. In 2014, during the Sewol ferry disaster that claimed 304 lives including high school students on a school trip, 'Jirok-wima' was selected. Jirok-wima means calling a deer a horse, metaphorically referring to distorting right and wrong to deceive others. In 2022, during the Itaewon disaster in the heart of Seoul that killed 159 people, 'Gwaibulgae' was chosen, containing criticism of the political sphere's words and actions that refuse to acknowledge wrongdoing even when exposed.