Politics is ultimately about people. No matter how good the system or how sophisticated the institutions, it is people who ultimately decide the direction of the nation. Therefore, significant positions should be entrusted to capable individuals. This is a matter of qualifications for those who lead the country, beyond the question of being progressive or conservative.
Currently, our politics seems to be going awry. The economy is struggling, and citizens are facing hardships, yet instead of reassuring the public, politics is making them more anxious. Power is focused on the past rather than discussing the future, and lawmakers are expending more energy on defeating opponents than on presenting a vision.
Looking at the current political landscape, it is no wonder the public feels fatigued. The ruling party appears to be concentrating all its efforts on special investigations and securing party leadership. While investigations based on law and principle are necessary, when special investigations become the center of governance and the driving force of politics, the public begins to wonder, 'Who is taking care of our livelihoods?'
Politics should fundamentally be a means of reassuring the public. However, it has become overly emotional and superficial. A single statement from the president can shake the entire nation. Thus, the president must be more cautious and serious than anyone else. Yet, recent presidential remarks and actions sometimes give the impression of being impulsive and reliant on political sentiment. There is a significant difference between seizing power and governing a nation. Public politics and governance are fundamentally different issues.
What is even more concerning is the direction of politics. Within the ruling party, movements surrounding the next power structure are already detectable. The presence of Jeong Cheong-rae, seen as a symbol of hardline politics, is growing, and power struggles are beginning to emerge. The signal that power takes precedence over livelihoods is exhausting the public.
What about the conservatives? Frankly, it is frustrating. What the public desires is not reflected in the ongoing internal conflicts and calculations. Observing the leadership of Representative Jang Dong-hyuk, it seems more about enduring than providing direction. Politicians should be those who offer a path, not merely hold onto their positions. If they fail to make decisions when necessary or to organize when required, the time for politics will cruelly pass them by.
To speak more bluntly, conservatives have failed in talent verification. They have faltered in nurturing 'great individuals' by being swayed by momentary popularity, eloquence, fandom, and emotional politics. Those who lead the nation must possess at least a minimum depth of understanding. They should have a perspective on the world, the ability to read history, and an understanding of the essence of humanity and power. A leader's shallow insight ultimately leads to national confusion.
Therefore, the first requirement for a leader is sound judgment. Judgment is the ability to discern the essence from a multitude of information, to set a direction in times of crisis, and to make decisions even when faced with criticism. Insight is the depth of that judgment—the ability to read where the era is heading without being swayed by immediate approval ratings or partisan logic.
However, this alone is not enough. A leader must also possess inclusiveness and understanding. No matter how exceptional a person may be, they cannot govern a country alone. Politics that embraces only allies while demonizing opponents cannot lead a community. A great leader listens to voices different from their own and can even embrace those who criticize them. Above all, they must know how to utilize people. The art of political maneuvering is the essence of politics.
Many political failures stem more from failures in personnel than from policy failures. Advisors who only listen to the leader, sycophants who only read the room, and organizations that lack candid feedback ultimately ruin the leader. Throughout history, many leaders have fallen not to external enemies but to internal incompetence and flattery.
This brings us back to Oh Se-hoon. He is not a politician who defines opponents as enemies. He has demonstrated administrative competence and speaks of moderation and pragmatism rather than hardline fandom. Most importantly, he is currently the only one in the political arena who maintains the dignity of a 'political gentleman.' In an era where extreme language and hateful politics have become the norm, his presence is increasingly significant.
Of course, he also has challenges ahead. To engage in larger politics, he must broaden his circle of associates. He should surround himself with advisors who can speak candidly and be more daring in appointing capable individuals. A great leader is not completed alone. How one utilizes people becomes the ultimate measure of a politician's skill.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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