[The Editors' Verdict] Cho Kuk Returns: Conditions for a Smooth Political Transition

The atmosphere reached its peak as thousands of paper airplanes soared through the air. Thousands of people chanted the name of the presidential candidate. "Yoo Si-min, Yoo Si-min, Yoo Si-min..." On August 18, 2007, at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, writer Yoo Si-min announced his bid for the presidency. The faces of his supporters were filled with excitement. Some even held back tears of emotion. The echoes of the cheers swirled throughout the venue.

He is one of the rare figures in Korean political history to have secured a devoted 'fandom.' However, expectations that he would become a leader of political transformation did not last long. On September 15 of that year, after declaring his support for candidate Lee Hae-chan in the presidential primary, Yoo Si-min stepped down. This was less than a month after announcing his candidacy. Yoo Si-min's first and only attempt to run for president ended there. There are still those who regret his decision. But Yoo Si-min, as a writer and commentator, finds far greater joy in occasionally fishing, reading, and writing than in living as a politician.

For Cho Kuk, the former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, who has returned to politics through the Liberation Day special pardon and reinstatement, it is worth reflecting on Yoo Si-min's example if he hopes to achieve a smooth landing. Cho Kuk and Yoo Si-min share many similarities. Both have political fandoms that rival anyone's. Their political narratives are also marked by overcoming adversity and hardship. However, just as their passionate supporters are strong, so too are their detractors?a common weakness. Relying solely on the power of fervent supporters makes it difficult to achieve great ambitions. While one might win an internal party primary with the support of a passionate base, winning a national election requires a broader, more inclusive approach to politics.

The fact that Yoo Si-min's challenge remained unfinished is also tied to the fundamental question of the will to power. In politics, the will to power is not a bad thing. It is not about greedily seizing power, but about the necessity of exercising power. It is the will to use power to embody the spirit of the times and realize a philosophy of governance. Surprisingly, many prominent politicians have a weak will to power. When faced with political obstacles, they often choose to take detours or give up rather than break through. A strong desire alone does not fulfill the will to power. Politicians driven by personal ambition find it difficult to overcome the hurdles of public opinion.

In this sense, politician Cho Kuk needs to reexamine his own will to power. He must ask complex questions about why Korean society needs someone like Cho Kuk, what he intends to achieve as a politician, and whether his challenge is a necessary one that must be realized. If he finds answers to these questions, the possibility of a smooth political transition increases.

It is also important to remember that rushing decisions under the pressure of the political timetable can lead to straying from the right path. For politicians, time for self-reflection is crucial. It is not the quantity of time that matters, but the quality of time spent strengthening and reflecting on one's inner self. Even if one believes they have reflected enough, others may not agree.

This is what makes politics so difficult. One must make the effort to embrace even those who dislike and criticize them, enduring that arduous and challenging process again and again. During this process, the will to power is put to the test. Whether one is the kind of figure Korean society demands depends on the outcome of that test.