[Stones and Stories] Politics as Solid as a Key Stone on the Go Board

A professional Go player proves themselves through results. Their record follows their name like a permanent tag. In particular, cumulative prize money is a badge of honor in a Go player’s career. In South Korea, only three individuals have surpassed 10 billion won in cumulative Go prize money. On February 6, Shin Jinseo, 9-dan, led Korea to victory at the Nongshim Shin Ramyun Cup World Go Championship, joining the ranks of the “10 Billion Won Club.”

According to GoRatings, a Go ranking website, Shin Jinseo has held the world’s number one ranking for eight consecutive years, from 2019 to 2026. When looking at this remarkable record, the first question that comes to mind is who the other two members of the 10 Billion Won Club are. Who first reached that milestone-a feat that requires years of global dominance? The first person to surpass 10 billion won was Lee Changho, 9-dan, once called the “God of Go.” Lee Changho is a living legend who maintained the number one spot for 16 consecutive years. Considering his fame and symbolic status, it is almost natural that he was the first to break the 10 billion won threshold in cumulative prize money.

So, who is the remaining member of the 10 Billion Won Club? Alongside Lee Changho and Shin Jinseo, Park Junghwan, 9-dan, has also amassed comparable cumulative prize money. While Park Junghwan may not have the same flamboyance as the other two who were considered the world’s strongest Go players, his solidity is second to none. He boasts world-class prowess in all core aspects of Go-opening strategies, reading moves, and endgame skills. He may not be the absolute best in any single area, but he is a player who never crumbles in any aspect. Park Junghwan’s robust, strategic style makes him a formidable opponent. This is why Park Junghwan managed to remain in the world’s top three rankings from the period when Lee Changho was active in 2011 through to the era of Shin Jinseo in 2023.

Just as a solid Go game does not falter easily, it can withstand even the fiercest storm without losing its pace. Politics, too, needs to build its foundations as firmly as Park Junghwan’s Go-only then can it take root. If one tries to reap the fruits before the groundwork is laid, trouble ensues. Always seeking the easiest path will inevitably lead to limitations. Relying solely on consolidating the support base will not be enough to win an election. Trying to weather a crisis with nothing more than flashy packaging or chasing public favor is a mistake-or even arrogance.

The reason a political party exists and the answer to its purpose lies in its platform, which embodies its promises to the people.

“We will create a fair society where everyone has equal opportunities without discrimination.”

“We believe that everyone deserves freedom, human rights, and happiness.” These are the key messages emphasized in the manifestos of both the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party.

Both ruling and opposition parties know what the public wants. If they are failing to meet people’s expectations, it is not because they do not know the answer, but because they have not acted on it. Politics is, in the end, the process of winning the hearts of the people. This must be proven with actions, not words-with results, not plans.

Politics needs to be both flexible and steadfast. For real transformation, politicians must be willing to endure losses if necessary. When it is time to step back, they must let go of immediate gains. If they must face hardship, embracing it with humility is also part of politics. Those difficult moments are a meaningful wait in preparation for the future. Solidity is not glamorous, but it does not easily collapse. The same is true for politics. It is not dazzling rhetoric, but the strength to persevere, that ultimately earns trust and support.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.