[Inside Chodong] The Dangers of "Nanga-byeong" That Sweep Through Every Election Season

Every election season, the so-called "Nanga-byeong" (literally, "Am I the one? Syndrome") spreads rampantly throughout the political world. Politicians fundamentally have a different way of thinking compared to ordinary citizens. While we might assume they seriously consider factors such as electability, the spirit of the times, and campaign expenses before deciding to run, this is not the case at all. Politicians tend to run for office without much hesitation if they see any possibility of candidacy. In other words, politicians are a high-risk group for Nanga-byeong.

Why, then, do politicians fall victim to Nanga-byeong? First, we need to examine the relationship between politicians and elections. For politicians, elections are both the alpha and the omega. In order to pursue the politics they desire, they must win the only opportunity available: the election. Furthermore, some believe that even if they lose this election, running will help them gain recognition, which could give them an advantage in the next race. There are many other reasons as well, but in short, politicians tend to think that not participating in an election for any reason means losing the opportunity itself.

The "election high" is another factor that cannot be ignored. Among journalists during election season, it is common to hear expressions like "he's on an election high" or "she's intoxicated by the campaign" when discussing the state of certain candidates. When election season arrives, politicians' faces visibly change. This is because they feel a renewed sense of purpose in life. Moreover, Korea remains a warm and compassionate society, so when candidates go out to campaign on the streets, very few voters treat them harshly. Most people willingly accept the business cards handed out by candidates and even smile and shake hands, regardless of their true feelings. Even those who oppose a candidate rarely insult them to their face; this is considered common courtesy in our society.

Given these circumstances, candidates become addicted to the "election high" or the thrill of campaigning. As they walk the streets, voters readily accept their business cards and greetings. It all seems as if those votes are already theirs. Even if they are trailing significantly in the polls, they convince themselves that the sentiment on the ground is different. This is similar to when conservative politicians visit Seomun Market to "recharge their energy." As a result, they end up spending large sums of money to run in elections they have little chance of winning. During the campaign, they may even fall into the delusion that they will be elected. For example, in a past general election, a minor party candidate running in the Seoul metropolitan area promised his campaign staff an overseas trip if he won. Although this was a clear violation of election law, it appears that the candidate, excited by the overwhelmingly friendly response from voters during the campaign, became convinced of his own victory and made such a promise. In the end, however, he failed to secure even 3% of the vote.

On the other hand, self-confidence is an essential quality for politicians. An election camp is an organization formed for the candidate. If the candidate lacks confidence in victory, the campaign cannot function smoothly. Who would work hard for a campaign when the candidate has already coldly judged the race to be unwinnable?

With the early presidential election approaching, Nanga-byeong is once again rampant in the political world. Some incomprehensible figures are being mentioned as candidates, and some have even officially announced their candidacies. There are also candidates who seem to be running not to win, but to secure nominations in next year's local elections or to position themselves for the next party leadership race. However, before jumping into the race, each candidate should first reflect on whether they are truly suited for the presidency. If someone who cannot bear the weight of the office is elected, we will once again be forced to hold an early presidential election. I recommend that candidates ask themselves whether the famous quote by former Prime Minister Lee Haechan, "Even perfectly sane people lose their minds a little during the presidential election," might apply to themselves. Even if the candidate, their family, or those around them are unaware, the public knows exactly who is afflicted with Nanga-byeong.