[Stones and Stories] Baduk Also Has Its Seasons

There is a kind of Baduk that moves with a lively rhythm. Its light and carefree moves make you hum without realizing it. When you let go of your burdens, all unnecessary things disappear. As your stones stretch out boldly, your opponent is left flustered. Those who set up clumsy traps are left in despair, only to see their own shortcomings. It is a game as fresh and vibrant as the energy of spring?soft yet strong. If one could continue to play such a game that brings a smile, wouldn't that be true happiness?

There is also Baduk that feels as intense as the scorching sun. The fierce and blazing momentum can even evoke fear. The illusion of holding the world in your hands leads you into a state of ecstasy. However, excess leads to downfall. If you cannot control your own greed, the sharp blade of that unstoppable momentum will turn on yourself.

There is also Baduk that exudes the tranquility of autumn. Like sitting comfortably in a rocking chair, savoring a rich coffee, and gazing at clouds drifting across the sky. When you let go of your desires, both the path you have taken and the road ahead become clear. You begin to see what you need to prepare for and what attitude you should take. You realize once again that practicing the continuity of such a life is not about doing something grand. It is important to stick to the basics and to never lose your original intention?this is the lesson to be learned.

There is also Baduk where blizzards rage. Relentless gusts of wind make it hard to even stand still. You find yourself having to endure precarious times. Such harsh conditions bring a sense of sorrow. You may even resent the world, wondering when the once-vibrant space changed so drastically. If you keep playing Baduk driven by excessive greed and neglecting the basics, the seasons will be winter, and then winter again.

The grammar of politics is not so different from that of Baduk. It may seem as if the path will always be lined with spring flowers, but excessive greed leads to a season of trials. A government that launches amid high expectations may sometimes become indifferent to the changing seasons. When unreserved praise continues every day, does it lead to a loss of touch with reality? The belief that you can achieve anything, or that public sentiment will support whatever you do, is an illusion. When you let your guard down, vulnerabilities appear.

What season is being foreshadowed by the recent controversies surrounding the National Assembly's personnel hearings, the subsequent responses from the presidential office and the ruling party, and the public sentiment that has observed all this? Who has been too greedy, and who has neglected the basics? We must become humble through self-reflection. Otherwise, a blizzard may sweep through a space once filled with the energy of spring. The change of seasons can arrive right before your eyes before you even realize it?accompanied by belated regrets...