Two men with the same goals: bettering the nation and unification

Createdd 2011-06-01 Hit 899

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Two men with the same goals: bettering the nation and unification
(2011.05.19)

Chung Mong-joon, former representative of the Grand National Party, visits the Gyeonggi Forum on Korea’s future at the invitation of Governor Kim. Both men agreed on the need for party reform.

¢®¨­Chung Mong-joon, former Grand National Party representative, visits Gyeonggi government’s 238th forum onMay 19th at the invitation of Governor Kim. The two men held a press conference shortly after the lecture. ¡§?G News Plus

Chung Mong-joon, former Grand National Party representative, visits Gyeonggi Province on May 19th.

The former representative attended the 238th Gyeonggi Forum, which was also attended by three hundred government officials, about the future direction of Korea. Former Congressman Kim chatted with Governor Kim for about thirty minutes about pending political issues prior to the forum.

Mr. Chung remarked on his ties with Governor Kim, saying that they went to Seoul National University together. “Governor Kim, a business school student at the time, was by my side during the democratic movement and the labor movement. After I graduated from the Department of Economics, I got a stable job and we went our separate ways. But I had the chance to meet him again during last year’s election and learned that he is the same humble, honest man I knew when we were young.”

He went on to state, “Not many young people know what they want to do or have the willpower required to fix what they feel is wrong. But Governor Kim has a great understanding of the overall flow of changes and never holds back in expressing his sentiments. He is a brave politician indeed.”

The two men agreed to discard the Grand National Party’s policy of separating presidency and party hegemony in the upcoming reforms. Chung stated that, “No matter how many able politicians the party has, such a policy is preventing the party from acquiring any pivotal force.” Governor Kim agreed, stating, “Seven party members have become lame ducks. If they are kept from leading the party during the presidential campaign, then who will? I am with former representative Jeong one hundred percent on this issue.”

 

¢®¨­Former representative Chung gives a lecture on what Korea must do to secure a fresh new start to three hundred Gyeonggi Province officials. ¡§?G News Plus News

After the short talk, former representative Chung gave a lecture on Korea and what must be done to secure a fresh new start. “We must prevent companies that enjoy great benefits from disrupting the public’s sense of justice by letting them break the law. The law of efficiency is very important in the market, but a government is a much bigger organization. Conglomerate executives must pay more attention to reforms and local communities.”

He then delivered an anecdote from his presidency of Hyundai Heavy Industries during its heyday thirty years ago, when it was the best company in terms of hiring, export, and sales. “In the 80s the term ‘crony capitalism’ always appeared in the headlines. Many people cried out to separate ownership from management, and I stuck to that idea because I believed in it.”

Former representative Chung also remembered his days as the president of the Korea Football Association. “When I read an article about the cancelation of Sangam’s Seoul World Cup Stadium in the newspaper shortly after the Asian financial crisis, I immediately asked to see President Kim Dae-jung. I had to persuade him about how the games, which were scheduled for the end of his term, could help Korea get out of debt. ‘It would be a great story for the rest of the world,’ I said. He finally agreed to go ahead with the plan.”

He also spoke of his late father, Chung Ju-yung, who had lunch with a British IOC member who explained how touching the 1988 Olympic Games were not only for Koreans but for the rest of the world.

“Many people pictured a US colonial pawn or as a country full of homeless people when they thought of Korea. But many people were surprised by the modernity of Seoul when they saw the broadcast of the marathon. This is something our entire nation ought to be proud of.”

But on Korea’s current status he said, “Korea is still a divided nation and the leading party is sinking. Populist, wealthy people and officials are being criticised for their behavior. Everyone is worried, but at the same time no one takes any responsibility. Korea’s inner division is much more worrying than North Korea’s provocations.”

“Many politicians make the wrong decisions during elections.  Sejong City is a good example of this. This is the waek point of elected officials. We must overcome this problem and maintain our determination to face to challenges in dark times. Only officials with heart and soul can save a nation. I want you all to become part of the force that opens the doors to the future.”

After the lecture, Chung held a press conference in the briefing room and answered questions on political issues and his plans for presidential campaigns. 

Chung mentioned his agreement with Governor Kim during the press conference, stating, “We have walked our separate ways since graduation but our goals are the same. We want to make Korea one of the developed nations and unite North and South. Competition is also a form of teamwork. I want Governor Kim to be my competition.” 

¢®¨­Former representative Chung on his agreement with Governor Kim: “We have walked our separate ways since graduation but our goals are the same. We want to make Korea one of the developed nations and unite North and South.”

¡§?News Plus News |Han Sang-hui 

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201105191741427055C048&s_code=C048