[K-Women Talk] I Might Be Wrong

Martial Law, Impeachment, and Budget Cuts:
Social Turmoil Fueled by Obstinacy
A Call for Open-Minded Solutions for the Future

A severe cold wave is blocking spring. It is not the cold wind coming down from the Arctic, but the harsh chill of the impeachment crisis that cuts through the body like a blade, and our society is covered with frost. The country is split in two by the confrontation between the far right and the far left, and even in the darkness, the compass that would show the way forward is not working.

Where did it all go wrong? It is argued that the declaration of martial law was because the government was paralyzed by the opposition party's reckless impeachment. Before that, there was the general election that led to the opposition party's dominance, and behind that election result was the medical school quota increase controversy. Looking at this series of events, one sees obstinacy. The unilateral push to increase medical school quotas is obstinacy, the repeated impeachments and budget cuts are obstinacy, and the declaration of martial law as a countermeasure is also the result of obstinacy. Conviction, which means firm beliefs and values, is important. However, obstinacy, which believes only oneself is absolutely right and rejects other opinions, is nothing more or less than ‘poison.’

If there is someone who believes they can accurately perceive all surrounding circumstances and judge without a shred of doubt what is good or bad, right or wrong, that person is obstinate and truly dangerous. Napoleon, the European conqueror, was so full of self-confidence that he invaded Russia, resulting in a disastrous defeat with most of his 600,000 troops annihilated. The result was the fall of the Napoleonic Empire.

Mao Zedong’s Great Leap Forward, which demanded the rapid industrialization and agricultural collectivization of the People’s Republic of China at all costs, led to the tragic outcome of about 30 million deaths from starvation and decades of economic regression in China. Arrogance and obstinacy, detached from reality, only bring about downfall. “The wise always doubt, and the foolish are always certain.” This is a maxim we must heed.

Obstinacy may appear as strong leadership in the short term, but organizations and societies become closed off. If only I and my group are believed to be right, politics of compromise disappears, conflicts and divisions grow, and only black and white remain. When obstinate leaders or leadership ignore objective data and make arbitrary decisions without sufficient exchange of opinions on potential risks or side effects, policy failures or national crises are almost certain. Isn’t this exactly the current situation?

The difference between conviction and obstinacy is openness versus closed-mindedness. Without a critical, compromising, and open attitude toward change, it is obstinacy. President Lincoln was a model of open-minded conviction leadership, including political opponents in his cabinet (Team of Rivals) even during the Civil War. He said, “I am always ready to change my mind if I am wrong.” The willingness to accept that one might be wrong is a virtue our society urgently needs to cultivate.

Socrates, the father of philosophy, said, “I know that I know nothing.” Even Socrates, who was declared “the wisest” by the Oracle of Delphi, acknowledged his ignorance. How tragic it is that ordinary people can recklessly believe they know everything and that what they know is the truth. Instead of asserting knowledge, we must learn from the sages thousands of years ago to constantly question and doubt whether existing beliefs might be false.

With an open mind that says, “I might be wrong,” we must listen to each other and devise solutions for a better future. If both camps stubbornly believe only they are right and wear impenetrable armor, there is no future for us. “Truth is not the monopoly of anyone. We can only approach truth by respecting each other’s opinions.” ? Albert Einstein

Park Eun-ha, Former Ambassador to the United Kingdom