[K-Women Talk] What Kind of Leader Should We Choose?

The Qualities of a Good Leader: Attentive Listening
Rejecting the Sweet Temptation of Populism
The Choice Ultimately Belongs to the Voters

"April is the cruellest month." The opening line of T.S. Eliot's poem comes to mind because, despite being a spring day when newness and hope bloom, April is filled with wounds that have emerged from the fires of martial law and impeachment. Holding on to these wounds, we cling to the hope that the presidential election, just over a month away, will bring new days. What kind of leader should we choose to revive hope for ourselves, our children, and the Republic of Korea? The answer lies in the conviction that "this time, we must truly choose well." The choice of which candidate to support rests entirely with the people, and so does the responsibility.

There are many qualities cited as virtues of a leader?vision, morality, integrity, communication, courage, and even the qualities of their spouse. The problem is that there is no candidate who possesses all of these virtues. Perhaps the good leader we need is not necessarily the smartest or most flawless person, but rather someone who can unite people’s hearts toward the right direction. In this context, I wish to emphasize two standards that the people must apply. One is attentive listening, and the other is the courage to reject populism.

First and foremost, attentive listening is critical. If we reflect on what previous presidents most lacked, and the reasons for their failures, the answer becomes clear. Each had their own vision, convictions, and decisiveness. Yet it is evident that the destructive force of their convictions and decisiveness reached self-destructive levels precisely because of a lack of attentive listening.

It is well known that former President Yoon would become furious when confronted with opinions differing from his own, to the extent that no one could speak candidly without risking their position. Former President Moon Jae-in, while not outwardly angry, was known to listen without truly hearing. Former President Park Geun-hye became famous for her "laser glare" whenever she heard something she didn't like.

Why is it a problem if a president does not listen? Korean society is one where diverse voices coexist, emerging from numerous vested interests. Self-centered leadership impedes an accurate understanding of problems and leads to dogmatism. When policies are stubbornly pursued based on personal convictions without listening to voices from the field, policies fail and society becomes divided. The issue of increasing medical school quotas is a prime example of such a misstep. A true leader must have the inclusiveness and courage to listen respectfully and reflect even on the words of those who oppose them. This brings to mind former President Roh Moo-hyun's remark: "Democracy is when the president can be persuaded by the people." A great leader is someone who learns how to listen before learning how to speak.

If we consider attentive listening as the foremost quality in a leader, then equally important is the courage to reject populism. "Populism is the shadow of democracy that destroys democracy itself." Populism is like a sweet candy that ultimately turns into poison.

Whenever news reports on candidates’ welfare pledges?such as basic income, a 4.5-day workweek, opportunity income, or free buses?my heart sinks. Distribution without growth only makes everyone poorer. Do we want our children to live in a country that has become poor again? Are you familiar with Argentina, the beautiful country in South America? Until the early 20th century, Argentina was one of the world's ten richest countries, envied by the world as it outpaced Canada and Australia. However, due to radical welfare policies, it experienced two national bankruptcies and became one of South America's impoverished nations. I fear we may follow in Argentina's footsteps.

Populists are those who tell people what they want to hear and seek to seize power in return. Let us not forget that the moment we drink the sweet poison and elect a populist leader, we all begin a slow descent into ruin.

Soon, the cruel April will pass. Within that cruelty lies the will to begin life anew. Let us choose the right leader this time and soar once again.

Park Eunha, former Ambassador to the United Kingdom