[Inside Chodong] What Nelson Mandela Says to President Lee Jaemyung

Leadership of Unity and Reconciliation Remembered in History
New Administration’s Appointments and Communication Across Political Divides
Hoping for a Changed Legacy Like Mandela and Robinson

Nelson Mandela, a symbol of South Africa's democratization, became president (1994?1999) amid extreme division. Driven by a determination to end the brutal history of apartheid, he chose forgiveness over retribution. He invited former white regime generals to his inauguration, and in 1995, his second year in office, he donned the green jersey of the Springboks?the white rugby team widely hated by the black majority?to celebrate their Rugby World Cup victory, a sport long dominated by whites. This was part of his effort to make his inaugural pledge a reality: "We must build a 'rainbow nation' where the dignity of all people, black or white, is guaranteed." These actions left a dramatic legacy symbolizing reconciliation between races.

Mary Robinson, Ireland's first female president (1990?1997) and leader of what was then Europe's most conservative country, defied her aides' concerns and visited Northern Ireland four times?a region marked by one of Europe's oldest conflicts and the vivid memory of bloody clashes between Irish Catholics and British Protestants. She visited both Catholic and Protestant communities, choosing to listen to their stories rather than make political statements. Despite internal opposition, she became the first Irish president to meet Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. Her actions contributed to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement (Belfast Agreement), becoming a lasting symbol of unity in modern Irish political history.

The reason for recalling the stories of these former presidents from distant lands is the hope placed in the actions of President Lee Jaemyung, who has been in office for about 40 days. He removed the high podium, traveled to Honam and Chungcheong, and held town hall meetings to hear candid stories from local residents. He invited 207 bereaved family members from major disasters such as the Sewol Ferry and Itaewon tragedies and offered a deep apology. He also took steps to prevent the launch of anti-North Korea leaflets, which had caused pain and anxiety for residents near the border, and halted loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea.

His meetings crossed party lines, and this commitment to unity was reflected in his cabinet appointments. He met with both ruling and opposition party leaders in record time to seek cooperation. He also hosted lunches with progressive figures such as Father Ham Seungwoo and Professor Paik Nakchung, as well as with conservative commentators like Cho Gabje, CEO of Chogabje.com, and Jung Kyuje, former editor-in-chief of Korea Economic Daily. In forming his first cabinet, he retained some officials appointed by the previous administration and nominated politicians from the opposition as ministerial candidates. When concerns were raised within the ruling bloc, he repeatedly sent his chief of staff to persuade and seek cooperation.

Yonhap News Agency

Just over 40 days ago, President Lee was a politician often described in negative terms as aggressive and swept up in fandom, unable to take a balanced approach. There were doubts about whether he could demonstrate balanced politics. Ultimately, politicians are judged by their actions and results. Mandela and Robinson were also considered radical figures. In particular, Mandela was labeled a "terrorist" and "the most dangerous black man" even after becoming president. Nevertheless, he never ceased his efforts for unity and communication. As is well known, the passage of time after their presidencies dramatically changed how they were evaluated, as already mentioned.

President Lee has stated, "I will be a president whose approval rating is higher at the end of my term than at the beginning." The journey of unity and communication, which has just begun, will be arduous and may not progress as much as hoped even after considerable time. However, the turning point where these efforts transform into "solid" support will inevitably come. Mandela, who was elected with 62% of the vote, ended his term with an approval rating of 70%. Robinson, who started with 52%, finished her term with a 93% approval rating.