version1, version2

version1 난세ch.Intro The Visionary Path of Huh Kyung-young Solving Korea’s Crises and Beyond

The Visionary Path: Why I Choose the Arduous Road of Leadership

Tags: “Huh kyung young, National Crisis, Economic Philosophy, Holiness, Alpha”

1. The Call to Leadership: A Nation in Peril

I am deeply honored to address you. For some time, I have observed the profound challenges facing our nation, leading me to embark on a path of national leadership, despite its inherent difficulties. My recent book, “Do You Know Huh kyung young, the Hero in Troubled Times?”, which sold 100,000 copies in just two days, reflects the urgency of these issues. Recognizing that many may find it challenging to read the fine print, I have decided to personally convey its message. Though I am not a professional Orator and my pronunciation may be imperfect, I am committed to sharing the insights within this book. It is a biographical dictionary, a memoir in seven chapters, designed to help you apprehend who Huh kyung young truly is. I strongly recommend that every citizen of our country possess this book, as it offers solutions to our current comprehensive national crisis and presents a hopeful future amidst our grim reality. Today, I will introduce the preface and table of contents, and over the next seven days, I will read one chapter daily, allowing for a complete comprehension of its message.

2. The Current State of the Nation: A Deepening Crisis

Why do I choose the challenging path of a national leader, forsaking a comfortable life? Despite being one of the world’s top ten economic powers, only a minority of our citizens enjoy a corresponding quality of life. Many endure daily struggles, plagued by a sense of relative deprivation. The gap between the rich and the poor is widening, with approximately 10% of the wealthy holding about 60% of the nation’s total assets. The middle class is collapsing, and polarization is accelerating. Household debt has surged, exceeding 1,760 trillion Korean Won by the first quarter of 2021, nearly matching our annual Gross Domestic Product. The majority of our citizens work tirelessly, yet find themselves burdened by debt rather than enjoying financial freedom.

Furthermore, our nation holds the highest suicide rate among OECD countries. Our birth rate continues to set new records, falling to 0.84 births per woman last year, making us the country with the lowest birth rate globally for several years running. Conversely, the elderly population is rapidly increasing, projected to exceed 20% of the total population by 2025, placing us on the threshold of a super-aged society. This not only threatens the very existence of South Korea but also poses severe economic challenges due to the burden of supporting the elderly and a shrinking working-age population. Our demographic structure is transforming into an inverted pyramid.

Moreover, the youth, who should be boldly pursuing their dreams, have become the “N-Abandonment Generation” giving up on dating, marriage, childbirth, employment, homeownership, and even interpersonal relationships. While the government acknowledges these issues, pouring vast resources into welfare and low birth rate initiatives, I have yet to hear news of these problems being resolved, or of citizens’ debts decreasing and their livelihoods improving. The corporate environment, both domestically and internationally, remains challenging, with no signs of unemployment abating. National security and defense issues are equally severe. North Korea has recently become a nuclear power, creating a significant power imbalance, and the escalating rivalry between the United States and China places the Korean Peninsula at constant risk of becoming a battlefield. This is truly a comprehensive national crisis.

3. The Failure of Conventional Politics and the Need for a New Paradigm

One might ask if politicians, who should be at the forefront of solving these problems, have offered effective solutions. While they may claim to be making efforts, few would deny their failure to provide practical measures. I cannot shake the impression that politicians often prioritize partisan interests and maintaining their vested rights over addressing the suffering of the people and resolving national challenges. Members of the National Assembly, as of 2020, receive over 350 million Korean Won annually, along with numerous privileges. Yet, they have failed to enact proper legislation to alleviate the rich-get-richer, poor-get-poorer phenomenon. My assertion that “there are not too few thieves, but too many thieves” is not an exaggeration.

I do not intend to personally criticize anyone. My aim is simply to point out flawed politics, erroneous laws, systems, policies, and practices. It is about recognizing that politicians, who should be improving citizens’ lives and fostering national economic development through appropriate laws, systems, and policies, are instead blinded by their own interests and failing in their duties.

Considering our status as a top-ten economic power, one might wonder about the amount of taxes collected annually. I believe the national budget is sufficient to manage the country and still return a significant portion to the citizens, who are the true owners of the nation. Yet, apart from recent COVID-19 relief funds, have citizens ever received their rightful share? Where has all that vast budget gone?

4. My Vision: Solutions for a Hopeful Future

Over thirty years ago, I foresaw the challenges our nation and its people would face. I meticulously developed solutions, drawing upon my abilities, knowledge, Eastern and Western wisdom, and profound philosophy, to comprehensively address these impending difficulties. My aim was to prevent and resolve national challenges, enable citizens to live stable lives free from poverty and livelihood concerns, and empower them to pursue their passions, transcending the constraints of forced labor. This was my answer, my conclusion, born from deep contemplation and concern for the nation’s future. It was a plan to ensure a hopeful future for our nation and people, a testament to my profound love for the citizens. It also embodies my philosophy of realizing a society of coexistence and co-prosperity, where everyone shares in the wealth generated by national and economic development.

If these solutions are implemented, our nation can become a Middle-Classist state. Middle-Classism is an economic ideology and socio-economic system designed to ensure that everyone can enjoy a middle-class or higher standard of living. It envisions a society without a poverty class, where everyone is at least middle-class, with ample opportunities for further advancement. This Middle-Classist system is my aspiration and goal for South Korea and the entire world, aiming to create a beneficial society.

Some misapprehend my proposals, viewing them as mere “giveaway policies” like the National Dividend or marriage subsidies. However, these are not populist measures designed to gain popularity without genuine solutions. They are comprehensive strategies to resolve the challenges facing our nation and truly achieve well-being for all citizens, fundamentally different from populism driven by personal gain. Our nation already possesses sufficient economic power to provide such funds to its citizens. If politicians manage the national treasury responsibly, without waste or leakage, the income can certainly be distributed to the citizens, who are the rightful owners. My proposals are not about unprincipled populism aimed solely at acquiring power.

5. The Philosophy of Shared Prosperity: Middle-Classism and Divine Governance

There is a saying, “Waves rise by relying on water.” Just as waves cannot form without water, businesses generate wealth and individuals become prosperous because citizens purchase their products and offer their support. Without citizens, who would establish businesses or earn money? Therefore, those who acquire wealth should rightfully share it with the citizens who made it possible. The plan to elevate all citizens to the middle class or beyond is founded on this natural principle.

Another common misconstrual is that my proposals are akin to socialism or communism. This is absolutely not the case. These solutions are based on capitalism and a market economy. They redefine the relationship between the state and its citizens as that of owner and shareholder, considering the nation’s assets as belonging to its citizen-shareholders. Thus, the total national assets, estimated at approximately 70 quadrillion Korean Won, are divided among 50 million citizens, with each citizen holding a share worth about 1.4 billion Korean Won. This grants every citizen the right to demand dividends from the profits of the new government and its management. This truly makes the citizens the complete owners of the nation. Such a system represents the highest level of democracy, embodying civic sovereignty. In essence, these proposals are founded on capitalism and represent the culmination of democracy. Furthermore, they offer a system that resolves the inherent flaw of capitalism—the rich-get-richer, poor-get-poorer phenomenon—which no one has addressed until now, thereby perfecting the capitalist system.

This system creates favorable conditions for businesses to thrive, allowing anyone to acquire greater wealth beyond the guaranteed middle-class status, depending on their efforts. It also establishes a system where society respects the wealthy who contribute significantly through taxes, ensuring the smooth operation of these initiatives.

Middle-Classism, an economic concept of free economy, can be politically termed Divine Governance “신정주의”. Divine Governance is a form of politics implemented by a Holiness “신인”, an incarnation of the divine who governs the grand universe. Divine Governance is not a mere formal democracy expressed in words or writings, but a political system that truly treats citizens as the nation’s owners, realizing the meaning of coexistence and co-prosperity. Under the Divine Governance system, all citizens can enjoy a free and prosperous life.

Considering the global economic landscape, when all members of society can live a dignified life, the existence of extreme disparities within the single fence of a nation or the global village, due to a flawed wealth distribution system, signifies a departure from coexistence and co-prosperity, a loss of self-existence. The path to rectify this and establish existence for all to coexist and co-prosper is precisely Divine Governance.

6. The Interconnectedness of Solutions: A Holistic Approach

My proposals have often been misapprehended, partly because the time for their full comprehension had not yet arrived. our nation faces a critical juncture. Without bold, innovative policies like mine, aiming for revolutionary transformation of the state and society, no one can possibly resolve the accumulated challenges. As previously noted, governments and politicians are aware of the severity of these problems but have been unable to solve them, lacking even proper countermeasures.

Increasingly, desperate politicians are attempting to imitate one or two of my proposals. While these isolated efforts may not be entirely ineffective, they are insufficient to address our nation’s comprehensive problems. My series of proposals are interconnected, forming a single mechanism that operates as a complete system. Only when these proposals are implemented together can synergy be created, allowing all problems to be resolved sequentially and seamlessly. The system will function properly, its effects will be fully realized, and even maximized.

All problems—from social conflicts, poverty, the “N-Abandonment Generation” the disastrous low birth rate, declining working-age population, aging society and elderly care, household debt, worsening corporate environment, suicide, regional, labor-management, and gender conflicts, to educational reform, military issues, securing national health resources, and societal changes due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution—are perfectly systematized to be resolved within the framework of my comprehensive proposals. I believe that without such integrated and revolutionary approaches, no one can save this nation, preserve our people, or free them from suffering.

7. A Lifelong Mission: For the People and the World

Why do I choose the lonely and arduous path of a supreme leader, forsaking a comfortable and enjoyable life? It is because of my life’s goal to ensure that all citizens of our nation live well and to bring comfort to those suffering from misguided politics, driven by a profound sense of mission. From a young age, I embraced the mission of becoming a world leader to bring peace to the world, making it my life’s objective. Since then, I have never forgotten this goal, not even for a moment.

Despite facing extremely difficult circumstances, I diligently studied by day and night, immersing myself in Confucian classics, Buddhist scriptures, the Bible, and subjects like law, politics, economics, and philosophy, all to achieve this goal. My objective, on a smaller scale, is to resolve the suffering of our people and elevate South Korea to a leading nation. On a larger scale, it is to enable all people worldwide, through me and our Korean people, to live happy lives free from hunger, war, financial worries, and violence.

Having personally experienced the agony of hunger, I cannot tolerate the reality of countless people starving to death on this planet, especially when there is no shortage of food globally. While some nations discard surplus food into the sea to prevent price drops, countless others are consumed by materialism and luxury. Even within our own nation, where some worry about their next meal, we spend approximately 8 trillion Korean Won annually on alcohol consumption. How can we ignore such stark and inhumane contrasts within our global village? What about the horrors of war? We experienced the Korean War, and the devastation of war is beyond words. I cannot forget the image of a young girl running naked through streets ravaged by war. What about the images of refugee boys, cold and lifeless, washed ashore after their boats capsized in the vast ocean?

Environmental issues are even more severe. What message do the deformed fish, having consumed microplastics, and the bleached, dying corals due to global warming, convey to us? Are global pollution and environmental destruction not leading to a catastrophic level, threatening the very end of Earth itself? Yet, no world leader has ever stepped forward to solve global hunger. Their sole concerns remain their own national security and the interests of their own citizens. The cost of weapons manufactured for war could purchase enough food to feed the entire world for 200 years. While environmental experts occasionally hold conferences, issue reports, and declare manifestos, few nations genuinely adhere to them.

This global crisis, affecting South Korea and the entire world, is a comprehensive crisis—spiritual, material, and environmental. Amidst this crisis of troubled times, I intend to transform South Korea, the nation of the Korean people, into a global central power, a country where the happiest people live. Beyond that, I aim to thoroughly resolve the tragic realities and all crises facing the global village, establishing a beneficial world of coexistence and co-prosperity for all. This is not a mere pipe dream. I have meticulously planned everything to unify the world into a federal system, similar to the relationship between the U.S. federal government and state governments, enabling nations to collectively address challenges like hunger, war, and environmental issues. This is why I abandon the comfortable path and choose the arduous road of a supreme leader.

Finally, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported me, recognized me, and accompanied me on my long and dramatic journey to this point. I dedicate this book with respect and gratitude to my mother, who gave birth to me, raised me, and passed away at a young age amidst public misconstrual, and to my father, who gave me the name Huh kyung young, imbued with a mission, and became a victim of ideological conflict while striving to do good in the world. I also express my sincere thanks to the publishing house staff who worked tirelessly to bring this book to fruition.

August 19, 2021, Huh kyung young, haneulgung, “Jangheung-myeon(Township of perpetual prosperity)”, “Yangju-si(City of Flourishing Willows)”, Gyeong-gi-do(Kyung gi-do), Republic of Korea.

8. Table of Contents: A Roadmap to Transformation

This concludes the preface. let us explore the table of contents.

Preface: Why I Choose the Arduous Path of a Supreme Leader

Chapter 1: Is It Populism?

• 1. Advanced Nation, Underdeveloped Citizens:
  • People suffering in a wealthy nation.
  • How to view this irony.
• 2. The Absence of Model Solutions:
  • Who labels it populism?
  • Scientific and rational alternatives.
  • Their populism, burdening the people.
  • My strategy to awaken the people’s power.

Chapter 2: The Path of a Prepared Leader

• 1. A Person with a Mission:
  • The deep academic path originating from Eastern thought.
  • The Korean people, who received this mission.
  • The unique geopolitical position.
  • The Korean Peninsula, the world’s nucleus.
  • Korea will become a world leading nation.
• 3. My Father’s Dream, My Dream:
  • My father’s dream.
  • Beyond ideology: A re-establishment, not a constitutional amendment, is needed.
• 4. Founded on Love for the People:
  • My mother, my mother.
  • A heart that does not ignore the difficulties of others.
  • An amount that can bring qualitative change to life.
  • Who incites distrust?
• 5. The Politics of Breaking Norms:
  • Exclusion, death, and pain leading to Seoul.
  • The spirit of self-sacrifice is needed.

Chapter 3: A Period Forged in Suffering

• 1. A Child Raised in Love for the Nation and Life:
  • The power that saved me at every critical moment.
  • The preciousness of life that greatly influenced me.
  • The education system must change.
• 2. A Bright and Kind Heart Amidst Trials:
  • Seoul life began with hardship.
  • Human knowledge and thought acquired through diligent study.
  • Hardship is wealth.
  • Youth employment and small and medium-sized enterprises.
• 3. “Why won’t you help me?” Confronting Chairman Lee Byung-chul:
  • To foster world-class companies.
• 4. Clear and Bright Eyes:
  • Meeting President Park chung hee.
  • Becoming a policy advisor to the President.
  • Initiating the New Village Movement during the presidential inauguration celebration.

Chapter 4: Beyond Chaos and Despair

• 1. Is Democracy the Best Political System?
  • The outcome of ancient Greek democratic politics.
  • The more serious “mob rule” of today.
  • Today’s democracy, merely a shell.
  • Towards beneficial politics.
• 2. Political Revolution is Needed:
  • Reduction of National Assembly members and their honorary status.
  • The historical expediency of the two major parties.
  • The pitfalls of local autonomy.
  • The illusion of true party politics.
  • Party politics as the lifeblood of modern politics.
  • Party subsidies must be abolished.
• 3. A Nation Where Injustice is the Norm:
  • Partisan interests prioritized over citizens.
  • Modern factionalism and the two-party system.
  • Ultimately, the party system must be abolished.
• 4. The First Nation to Disappear from the Earth:
  • Approaching demographic collapse.
  • A more fundamental attitude towards childbirth and parenting.
  • Laws and systems that must disappear.
  • The seven elements of national ruin and our country.
• 5. Absolute No to Cabinet System Constitutional Amendment:
  • Strengthening the political establishment.
  • Not an imperial president, but an imperial parliament.
  • A system that should not be implemented in our country.

Chapter 5: Another Path is Possible

• 1. Middle-Classism as the Alternative:
  • Reformed capitalism, failed communism.
  • Fundamental change: Middle-Classism is the way.
  • Values pursued by future corporations.
• 2. No Discrimination, No Reverse Discrimination:
  • Policies for women: Sun and Moon.
  • Gender equality policies should not create gender discrimination.
  • The Women and Family Ministry, out of place.
  • Balanced policies for social integration.
  • Gender-sensitive budget must be abolished.
• 3. Abolition of Prisons and Wealth-Proportional Fines:
  • Not prisons, but crime education centers.
  • Wealth-proportional fines.
  • The danger of criminals protecting the streets.
• 4. Abolish Property Tax, Market Autonomy for Real Estate Policy:
  • Property tax and automobile tax must be abolished.
  • Real estate policy should follow market autonomy.
  • Taxes should be collected after wealth is distributed.
• 5. No More Sacrifices from Youth:
  • Transition to a volunteer military system.
  • Unconditional sacrifices from youth are unacceptable.
  • Treatment and compensation for veterans.

Chapter 6: At the Crossroads to the Future

• 1. Stop Regional Development, Revitalize Household Economies:
  • The world’s best subway system.
  • household economies must be revitalized.
• 2. Basic Income System and National Dividend System:
  • Basic income system and national dividend system.
  • Is it a state charity or a citizen’s right?
  • Funding methods.
  • Differences.
• 3. Personal Debt, Not So Personal:
  • Government policy failures and citizens burdened with debt.
  • The trap of capitalism, making it easy to incur debt.
  • Urgent household debt relief and financial education.
  • The foundation of a virtuous economic cycle.
• 4. Beyond the Dichotomy of Regular and Non-Regular Employment:
  • A new formula: Non-regular employment is better than regular.
  • Resulting in increased corporate competitiveness.
• 5. Non-Selfish Approach to Unification:
  • The Ministry of Unification must be dismantled.
  • What must precede inter-Korean unification.
  • Unification issues require a cool-headed approach.
  • Dangerous calls for U.S. troop withdrawal.
  • Multilateral diplomacy: Move the UN headquarters to Panmunjom.
• 6. Global Environment and World Unification:
  • Emission of harmful substances threatening life.
  • The mysterious Earth, wondrous life forms.
  • Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
  • Environment, health.

Chapter 7: Dreams Come True

• 2. Future Technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution:
  • Seven promising industries to lead the future.
  • A more developed future world.
  • A world where everyone is happy, in perfect peace.
    This concludes the introduction to the preface and table of contents. I will guide you through the profile of the author, who continues to write Chapter 7. I will present Chapter 1 tomorrow. I will see you then. Thank you, and I wish you a pleasant time.

Vocabulary

• 난세의 영웅: Hero in Troubled Times
• 총체적 난국: Comprehensive National Crisis
• 부익부 빈익빈: Rich-Get-Richer, Poor-Get-Poorer
• 종산주의: Middle-Classism
• 신정주의: Theocracy “Divine Governance”
• 공존 공영: Coexistence and Co-prosperity
• 국민 배당금: National Dividend
• N포 세대: N-Abandonment Generation
• 주경야독: Studying by Day and Night
• 형설지공: Diligent Study

난세 Ch.1 The Paradox of Prosperity Reimagining Korea’s Future with Huh Kyung-young

The Paradox of a Wealthy Nation and Struggling Citizens: A Call for Political Revolution

Tags: “Political Reform, Economic Inequality, Social Issues, National Vision, Populism Critique”

1. Defining Populism and the Korean Paradox

Populism is a political approach that appeals to the common people by presenting unrealistic policies to gain popularity and achieve specific objectives. It is crucial not to label practical solutions with realistic measures as populism. Korea, a developed nation, faces a paradox where its citizens experience hardships despite the country’s economic strength. Currently, Korea ranks 12th globally in economic size, with a Gross National Product “GNP” per capita exceeding $30,000. This is remarkable, considering only about 60 countries worldwide have a GNP over $10,000, and 150 nations fall below $5,000. This highlights Korea’s high economic standing. However, the perceived economic reality for most Koreans does not align with these impressive national figures. There is a significant disparity between the nation’s economic scale and the economic well-being felt by its citizens. While some in the upper class enjoy a lifestyle commensurate with developed nations, the middle and lower classes experience a much lower standard of living.

2. The Erosion of the Middle Class and the Seven Abandonments

A truly developed standard of living would mean owning a home, raising and educating children without extreme financial worry, and enjoying cultural activities. Marriage should not be a financial burden. However, the current reality is starkly different. Even with both spouses working, families struggle to cover housing costs, children’s tuition, apartment maintenance fees, utilities, and loan repayments. Cultural activities are an unimaginable luxury, and many feel trapped, living like machines or slaves to their jobs. This situation is incongruous with a nation ranking 12th in global economic size and boasting a GDP per capita over $30,000.

In the past, when the nation was impoverished, all citizens endured difficult times. Later, with exceptional leadership and national unity, hard work allowed people to easily secure rental homes and even purchase their own. Educating children was achievable with effort. Youth unemployment was not a significant social issue. Today, however, nothing is easy. Young people graduating and entering society find their paths blocked, with no visible exits. They accumulate extensive qualifications and compete fiercely for a tiny opening, but success is incredibly rare. Many struggle to repay student loans, resorting to secondary financial institutions to avoid becoming credit defaulters, often failing.

Even those who secure employment face similar difficulties. Marriage requires securing a rental home, but rental prices have skyrocketed. With only monthly rent, buying a home is out of the question, and even securing a rental is challenging. This dire situation has led to the “Seven Abandonments” among young people: giving up on dating, marriage, childbirth, homeownership, social relationships, dreams, and hope. Without employment, dating and marriage are impossible, leading to no children. Homeownership remains an elusive dream. Even those who are employed and married face anxiety due to an uncertain future and intense competition. Many couples are dual-income, or choose not to have children. The immediate cost of raising a child is a concern, but more profoundly, parents question whether their children can grow up happily, find employment, marry, and thrive in such a challenging society. The very act of bringing a child into this world feels irresponsible. The socio-economic structure, which makes it difficult for a household to sustain itself without dual incomes, and the changing mindset of young people, contribute to the reluctance to have children.

The middle-aged also face significant struggles. Many still move between rental homes, or those who have managed to buy a house are often burdened by substantial debt. Parents frequently work day and night to repay bank loans, cover children’s tuition, and secure housing. Consequently, supporting elderly parents is often out of the question. The elderly face similar challenges. After raising and educating their children, many have no economic capacity left to enjoy a comfortable retirement beyond owning a small home. The high employment rate among the elderly, surpassing that of the youth, indicates that many face dire circumstances without working in their later years.

In this social climate, a “get-rich-quick” mentality has become prevalent among young and middle-aged adults, driven by the belief that honest work alone cannot even secure a rental home. Many have taken on debt to invest heavily in stocks or cryptocurrencies, suffering significant losses and ending up in deeper debt. This presents an irony: a wealthy nation with struggling citizens. Some attribute this to societal changes or structural issues, but can it solely be blamed on these factors? If national leaders had foreseen these societal shifts and structural changes and prepared countermeasures, much of this suffering could have been avoided. If the nation had prevented wealth from concentrating in one sector, managed its budget efficiently without leakage or waste, and implemented policies to distribute wealth equitably among all citizens, the paradox of a rich nation with citizens suffering due to financial hardship could have been averted. This is the fundamental reason for advocating political revolution and criticizing politicians.

3. The Imperative for Political Reform

There is no single, simple answer, but as mentioned, Korea is an economic powerhouse nationally, yet deepening wealth disparity makes life increasingly difficult for its citizens. The nation is burdened with complex challenges across politics, economy, society, education, and culture. To resolve this situation, sound politics are essential. The root cause of most problems, and their solutions, lie in politics. Without proper political governance, resolving other issues is nearly impossible. In ancient times, when national calamities or natural disasters occurred, it was believed that heaven was punishing the nation for poor governance. Leaders would offer sacrifices and repent to heaven. The current paradox of a wealthy nation with struggling citizens is largely the responsibility of politicians. I have yet to hear any politician express profound responsibility for this. A revolutionary overhaul of politics is absolutely necessary.

The number of National Assembly members should be drastically reduced, and their positions should become unpaid honorary roles. Support for their aides should also be discontinued. The system of receiving political donations should be abolished, as it exacerbates wealth disparity. Local government elections should also be abolished, and local council members should revert to unpaid honorary positions, as they were originally intended. These positions should genuinely serve the nation and its citizens. When they are service-oriented, individuals truly dedicated to the public good will emerge. If these positions offer substantial salaries and numerous privileges, those driven by material gain and prestige are far more likely to seek them than those who genuinely care for the public.

Political parties, which are hotbeds of factional politics focused on self-interest rather than the public good, should be eliminated. Individuals aspiring to become National Assembly members should be able to work independently, guided by their convictions for the benefit of the nation and its citizens. When politicians belong to a party, they are compelled to follow party directives, becoming ensnared in partisan interests. This makes it difficult to uphold their initial convictions to serve the public. Reforming politics in this manner would ensure that individuals with strong public service ethics work for the nation. Unnecessary budgetary expenditures would decrease, allowing more funds to be allocated to policies that improve people’s livelihoods.

Abolishing party politics would also eliminate the tiresome political infighting, which is akin to factional disputes. This would end long-standing ideological divisions and conflicts among the populace, allowing greater focus on developing legislation and policies for the nation and its citizens, thereby resolving national challenges, including those related to livelihoods. Politics is about managing the nation’s affairs. The lives of the citizens, who are the owners of the nation, must be at the center of this management. Politicians must prioritize improving people’s livelihoods above all else.

4. Economic Justice and Growth: A Dual Approach

One of the causes of increasingly difficult livelihoods is the deepening phenomenon of “the rich get richer, the poor get poorer.” The widening wealth gap is a primary reason for the paradox of a developed nation with struggling citizens. This phenomenon can intensify, especially as industries develop. An innovation in the distribution system is necessary. The ideal distribution system involves implementing resource mobilization policies that benefit all citizens, similar to the National Dividend plan proposed by the Revolutionary Party. This approach can elevate all citizens to middle-class status or higher without undue strain and further develop the economy. In addition to monthly payments from the state, citizens would also earn income from their work, enabling stable and comfortable lives. This would naturally alleviate wealth disparity, reduce relative deprivation, and significantly lessen conflict among citizens.

While Korea is a wealthy nation with the 12th largest economy, achieving a middle-class or higher standard of living for all citizens and further improving living standards requires more than just asserting distributive justice; economic growth must not be neglected. The capitalist market economy is the most efficient economic system for growth. In terms of productivity and efficiency, no economic system has surpassed capitalism. Therefore, it is necessary to deregulate businesses, remove obstacles to their development, and ensure free economic activity. Inheritance tax, which can lead to Korean companies being acquired by foreign capital, should be abolished, and the state should protect the character of businesses. Labor union strikes hinder corporate development. The state needs to intervene and resolve this issue institutionally to support the development of businesses, which are the backbone of economic progress.

Abolishing labor unions and forming “corporate family councils” with worker representatives and management could lead to business operations without collective conflict and struggle. This would protect workers’ rights and accelerate corporate activities. Such a system views labor and management not from a legal perspective but as a unified corporate family, resolving unnecessary conflicts and fostering a symbiotic relationship between workers and management. It goes without saying that if businesses thrive and the economy grows, tax revenues will naturally increase. In other words, the “pie” gets bigger. This larger pie should then be returned to the citizens through distribution systems like the dividend scheme. When the results of economic growth benefit the citizens, a virtuous cycle in the national economy occurs. Citizens will save some of the money received from the state but also spend it, stimulating consumption and keeping businesses busy. Businesses will hire more, expanding job opportunities for citizens. Citizens will also receive welfare benefits from the taxes paid by businesses, encouraging businesses to undertake more ventures. Connecting these measures to ensure that economic actors coexist and continuously expand the overall economic scale of the community is a crucial core point, and the series of proposals put forth so far embody such a structure.

5. Addressing Household Debt and Low Birth Rates

One of the most urgent economic problems in Korea is household debt. As of the first quarter of 2021, Korea’s household debt exceeded 1,760 trillion won, with a household debt-to-GDP ratio of 97.9%, nearly equivalent to the nation’s total annual production. This is an extremely serious issue, as it can lead to economic chaos and completely destabilize people’s lives. The political sphere must seriously consider this problem and formulate countermeasures. It must be clearly stated that the responsibility for citizens incurring debt lies with national policies, not solely with individuals. Therefore, the state needs to prevent socio-economic difficulties arising from household debt and, as part of its responsibility, consider a one-time household debt relief. The Bank of Korea could purchase government bonds through its issuance power and implement quantitative easing, converting household debt into national debt, thereby resolving the issues associated with household debt. This includes not only bank loans but also private loans. Resolving household debt would not only prevent potential socio-economic chaos such as financial institution insolvency, corporate bankruptcies, and family breakdowns caused by excessive household debt reaching critical levels, but also stimulate consumption and contribute to economic revitalization. Quantitative easing, primarily used to stimulate the economy from a foundational state, has been implemented in the United States and Japan. Japan’s Abenomics, centered on quantitative easing, is well-known for overcoming a long period of economic stagnation and achieving its objectives for several years.

Furthermore, for those who have already become credit defaulters due to inability to repay debts, the state should provide a one-time, 20-year interest-free, collateral-free loan to help them rebuild their lives. This would alleviate their suffering and foster national unity.

Another very serious problem in Korea is the low birth rate. For several years, Korea has recorded the lowest birth rate among low-fertility countries, with the number of newborns sharply declining year after year. This immediately causes economic problems such as a decrease in the working-age population, and in the long term, it is a critical issue that could lead to the disappearance of the Korean people from the planet. Urgent measures are needed. Low birth rates are a complex issue influenced by many factors, including employment, marriage, housing, education, and public consciousness. Therefore, the solutions must also be multifaceted. To increase the birth rate, conditions must first be created to enable marriage. If the state provides enough money for monthly living expenses, people could marry even without employment. Next, the state should provide financial support for marriage expenses and help couples secure at least a small rental home. This should be viewed as an investment in the future of the nation and its people. Additionally, for each newborn, approximately 50 million won should be directly provided to the family. Bold investment is needed to reverse the rapidly declining birth rate curve. This would likely lead to a surge in births. During this period, if wives choose to focus on childcare at home, providing childcare allowances would stabilize household finances and benefit children’s education. Therefore, implementing such a measure for an effective period of about 10 years is desirable.

The state must deeply recognize that issues such as employment, livelihood, marriage, childbirth, and childcare are not merely individual problems but national and societal issues concerning the members who constitute the state and society. For the happiness of its citizens, as well as the survival of the nation and the continuation of its people, the state must actively intervene and invest boldly. Without such solutions, there is no way to resolve these problems.

6. Elderly Welfare and Educational Reform

Currently, Korea is an aging society, with the number of newborns decreasing and the elderly population rapidly increasing, exceeding 14% of those aged 65 and over. It is projected to become a super-aged society, with the elderly population exceeding 20%, in the near future. Population aging presents many problems, but the most urgent is elderly welfare. While the government has shown interest and developed countermeasures, long-term comprehensive welfare for the entire elderly population remains insufficient. The current National Pension System, intended for nationwide elderly welfare, places too much responsibility on individuals and is not the right approach. It is the state’s duty to ensure a stable life for its citizens, who are the owners of the nation, even in their old age. The current National Pension System not only imposes a burden similar to taxes on citizens but is also an incomplete system, with the starting age for receiving benefits gradually being delayed due to fund depletion issues. It is even predicted that the fund will be completely exhausted by around 2054. Therefore, this system should gradually be phased out. Instead, it is desirable for the state to provide elderly allowances, acknowledging the contributions of the elderly who served as industrial workers and contributed to national economic development in their youth. In fact, this was one of my early proposals, and former President Park Geun-hye adopted a similar plan, initiating monthly payments of 200,000 won to elderly individuals aged 65 and over who were in the bottom 70% of wealth, which has now increased to about 300,000 won. However, I believe that amount is still insufficient. If approximately 700,000 won were paid monthly, along with a national dividend system, citizens would not need to struggle to find jobs and could enjoy their remaining years comfortably, even receiving respect from their children.

Everyone acknowledges that there are problems with Korea’s education system, including its focus on college entrance exams, the burden of private education costs, and the failure of character education. As with all problems, the approach to solving educational issues is crucial. Educational problems must be approached with children at the center, viewing issues from their perspective, and with a loving heart for them. The core of school education problems lies in the college entrance examination system. Everything related to education changes depending on the entrance exam system. From the students’ perspective, deciding university admission based on one or two College Scholastic Ability Test “CSAt” scores is problematic. If a student is not in good condition on the exam day, they may not be able to demonstrate their accumulated abilities properly. Furthermore, it is undesirable for adolescents to dedicate their entire school life and youth to college entrance exams. Therefore, the CSAT should be abolished. Instead, the entrance examination system should be reformed to allow university admission based on a single subject test taken over three years of middle school, chosen based on aptitude and talent. This would be rational, eliminate fierce competition for entrance exams, and allow students to enter universities that match their aptitudes and talents. If other subjects only require attendance, adolescents would not suffer from the “exam hell” protecting their emotional well-being and health. This would also reduce private education costs. Furthermore, other chronic educational problems that have remained unresolved would be addressed. This is the correct direction for education to take.

7. Justice System Reform and Military Modernization

Prisons, which often serve as places for transmitting criminal methods rather than fostering rehabilitation, should be largely abolished, except for one or two facilities for serious offenders. Instead of incarcerating offenders, imposing fines 100 times the original amount could reduce crime rates and save budget. Fines and penalties should be proportional to wealth. For livelihood-related offenses by low-income individuals, the amount should be small. For the wealthy, who have accumulated wealth through social infrastructure and the public, fines and penalties should be proportional to their assets, considering social responsibility and fairness. This would reduce offenses and crimes and increase national revenue.

Furthermore, abolishing the conscription system, a relic of an old era, and implementing a volunteer military system would alleviate military service stress for citizens, eliminate military corruption, enhance military combat power, and contribute to resolving unemployment. Additionally, honoring patriots who sacrificed and served the nation and its people, such as Korean War veterans and nurses who served in other countries, with substantial compensation and monthly patriotic allowances, payable to direct family members upon their death, would boost military morale and patriotism, thereby increasing combat power and fostering national patriotism.

8. Holistic Problem Solving and Financial Prudence

Beyond these, there are various other solutions to Korea’s myriad problems. When addressing socio-economic issues, there are principles for resolution. Complex problems are difficult to solve if dealt with piecemeal and superficially, as solving one often creates another. Therefore, it is necessary to approach problems with a holistic and macroscopic perspective, looking to the future, analyzing them together, and seeking comprehensive solutions. Solutions should not be abstract but as concrete as possible. Regarding the budget required for problem-solving, methods that do not burden the public should be chosen, such as finding new revenue sources or reducing unnecessary expenditures. if there is a way to stimulate the economy, expand wealth, and increase tax revenue, as mentioned in other proposals, nothing could be better. If solutions to problems are interconnected through a mechanism, operating as a single system, allowing all problems to be resolved smoothly and even generating synergy, this would be the best approach.

Anyone aspiring to be the supreme leader of a nation must have a thorough plan prepared in advance for what they will do for the people in that position. In other words, they must possess a blueprint for national management. The supreme national leader must present a 2,000-year vision to the people. The position of supreme national leader is that serious. It is unacceptable for a supreme national leader, who can profoundly influence the fate of a nation and the lives of all its citizens, to formulate such plans just before or after assuming office. And the people must demand this from anyone aspiring to be the supreme national leader. They must ask how the nation will be managed, what will be prioritized, and how economic policies and people’s livelihoods will be addressed. They must demand concrete policies, not vague plans. Otherwise, it is obvious that a supreme national leader will make many policy trial-and-error and mistakes, and the damage will ultimately fall squarely on the citizens.

9. Debunking the Populism Label

Who labeled these proposals as populism? I apprehend that a significant number of people are beginning to empathize with my proposed solutions for resolving Korea’s complex problems, including wealth disparity. This is evident from the fact that most policies discussed in political circles are issues I have raised or solutions I have proposed. However, there are still those who do not apprehend these proposals and dismiss them as absurd or unrealistic ideas. Some people, failing to grasp the profound meaning or effects of the dividend payment system and cash payment plans for resolving wealth disparity, disparage them as populist measures. Some criticize, saying, “If we implement these, our country will end up like Venezuela.” I clearly state that these are absolutely not absurd populism. Populism is a sweet-talk, popularity-seeking policy put forth to achieve immediate political goals without clear measures for securing financial resources or responsibility for the potential consequences of implementing such policies. My proposed solutions are not without financial resource measures; all financial resource plans are prepared.

Furthermore, simply comparing Korea and Venezuela is incorrect. Korea has a completely different industrial structure from Venezuela. Venezuela’s economy relies solely on underground resources and oil exports. If oil exports cease or export prices plummet, that country is bound to suffer immense damage. If the national funds earned from oil exports and distributed to the people suddenly disappear, the entire population could instantly become impoverished. However, Korea has a diversified industry, from high-tech industries to primary industries like agriculture, and a variety of export items. The national economy does not depend on a single export item.

Regarding the various scientific and rational methods to solve Korea’s problems, the most common question from citizens is, “Where will the money come from to pay for these?” I clearly state that Korea, boasting the world’s 12th largest economy, can sufficiently secure such a budget. If the budget is used frugally and there is no waste, enough money can be secured to distribute to the people. It is not that the nation lacks money; rather, there are too many “thieves.” This is not an idle statement. Lee Jae-myung, the governor of Kyung gi Province, once stated at a debate during his time as Seongnam mayor, “I respect Huh kyung young the most, and his statement, ‘It’s not that the nation lacks money, but that there are too many thieves,’ is 100% correct.” He also announced a basic income pledge to pay 1 million won annually to all citizens. Even participants in the Democratic Party’s presidential primary are saying that if the astronomical budget is not executed loosely and wasted as it is now, the nation can manage its affairs abundantly with just its existing revenue and still provide for its citizens.

The first step to securing a budget is to review the current budget for non-urgent, populist, or unnecessary expenditures and eliminate them. Also, thoroughly inspect and prevent budget leakage and waste. In my view, the current Korean budget has too many unnecessary expenditures. I believe that even if approximately 70% were reduced, national operations could still be sufficiently maintained. Significant budget savings can be achieved by reducing the number of National Assembly members, making National Assembly members and local council members unpaid honorary positions, discontinuing national funding for aides, abolishing the political party subsidy system, abolishing local government elections, stopping excessive regional development, abolishing the gender equality budget, and abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. There are many other areas where budget savings are possible. Significant budget savings can also be achieved by rectifying the irrational situation where, when implementing a policy, more budget is spent on research before implementation or during the intermediate process than on the actual beneficiaries of the policy. For example, rectifying the situation where more money is spent on researching childbirth policies than on the actual childbirth policy itself. Reforming the entire welfare system and abolishing the selective welfare system of the basic livelihood security system would also save budget. By eliminating wasted budget, unnecessary and non-urgent budget, populist budget influenced by elections, and duplicate budget, and by preventing budget leakage, a substantial portion of the budget can be secured for direct distribution to the people.

In the judiciary and prosecution, amending the criminal law to apply freedom-restricting penalties like imprisonment only to heinous criminals and truly serious offenders, and imposing fines for most offenses, would save significant national budget spent on prison and inmate management. Furthermore, implementing a system of imposing fines and penalties proportional to wealth would generate even greater revenue.

Another way to save and increase budget is to establish a system for integrating and collecting numerous tax items. This method saves tax collection costs, facilitates tax administration, thereby saving budget and increasing tax revenue. There is also a method to increase tax revenue by implementing a tax point system. This involves giving “tax points” to taxpayers who pay a lot of taxes and diligent taxpayers, treating them as national contributors. If a contributing company with many tax points faces a crisis, the state would fully support it to overcome the crisis. If this system takes root in society, not only will voluntary tax collection occur, but public support and increased product consumption for such companies will boost corporate profits, which can then be linked to increased tax revenue, thereby increasing the share returned to the people.

Furthermore, formalizing so-called “brokers” or introducers, who currently operate informally, as official business operators by granting them licenses would secure tax revenue. In addition to formalization, if this profession is made accessible to anyone with a business registration, and if this activity is encouraged in many fields such as real estate, finance, and hospitals, the number of specialized business operators would increase exponentially, leading to enormous tax revenue growth. Besides these, there are many ways to prevent tax evasion or create new tax sources that are more appealing than simply raising tax rates. In reality, if more taxes are collected from the people to pay money back to them, it is like giving benefits with one hand and taking them back with the other, so it cannot be considered real help to the people.

Populism is a sweet-talk policy put forth to gain immediate popularity without any countermeasures. However, my proposed solutions are entirely feasible in terms of financial resources, can significantly raise the living standards of all citizens, and when various measures are interconnected and operate as a mechanism, forming a single system, they can dramatically develop the national economy. These are very realistic, scientific, and predictable solutions that should not be dismissed as populism. If a gold nugget is wrapped in a shabby cloth, it is difficult to recognize it as gold. Similarly, if my proposals are simply dismissed as populism, it will be impossible to realize that these are brilliant solutions that can remarkably upgrade our nation and even the entire world. I am confident that, with time, no citizen will deny that these proposals were indeed timely and groundbreaking ideas.

10. The “LSH” Strategy: Awakening the Public

Regarding the “populism” of payments to citizens, recently, many people have put forth proposals similar to mine in Korea. From small-scale policies implemented by local governments, such as offering a certain amount for childbirth, to Na Kyung-won, a preliminary candidate for Seoul mayor, boldly proposing 100 million won for newlyweds upon childbirth—all these are measures to directly support those giving birth with cash to encourage childbirth. Regardless of the amount, they align with my proposals on childbirth.

Furthermore, Ahn Cheol-soo, a presidential candidate, proposed reducing the number of National Assembly members to 100. Lee Jae-myung, the governor of Kyung gi Province, provided youth allowances during his time as Seongnam mayor. Nam Kyung-pil, former governor of Kyung gi Province, advocated for a volunteer military system. Former President Park Geun-hye proposed basic old-age pensions, which now provide up to 300,000 won monthly to eligible seniors. President Moon Jae-in suggested moving the UN headquarters to Panmunjom. Governor Lee Jae-myung introduced a wealth-proportional fine system. And politicians from both ruling and opposition parties are proposing basic income. These are similar to my proposals, or at least within their sphere of influence. while the basic income system, for example, differs significantly from my proposals in its fundamental spirit, nature, financial resource plan, and amount, it aligns with my proposals in the aspect of directly providing a certain amount of cash to citizens.

However, these fragmented cash payment policies put forth by ruling and opposition politicians, which are similar to my proposals, are indeed populism. This is because they unconditionally promise to give money to the people without realistic alternatives like saving existing budgets. This inevitably creates budget allocation problems, ultimately leading to increased taxes or national debt to secure funds. While I also increase national debt through methods like quantitative easing, this involves converting household debt, which is at a dangerous level, into national debt. And my series of interconnected proposals form a mechanism that allows the economy to function well, creating a virtuous economic cycle where the national economy grows and tax revenues naturally increase. Therefore, the increased national debt resulting from this is not problematic. However, these politicians have no clear plan for how to resolve the increased national debt that would result from implementing their proposed policies. In fact, under the current government, national debt has increased by approximately 183 trillion won over the past four years under the guise of low birth rate support funds and COVID-19 relief funds. Increasing national debt without a clear plan for repayment deteriorates the nation’s fiscal soundness, and since national debt repayment ultimately relies on citizens’ taxes, it inevitably becomes a burden on the people.

I have a long-standing strategy to convey my message to people, called “LSH.” The first letter, “L” stands for “Laugh.” It’s about drawing attention by making people laugh. “Laugh” means not just smiling but laughing out loud. This “Laugh” strategy aims to approach people in a friendly and enjoyable way. Showcasing levitation or “chukjibeop” “a mythical Korean teleportation technique” and entertaining with songs are part of this strategy.

Next, “S” stands for “Study.” It’s about making people learn. This doesn’t mean I teach them directly, but rather that people actively come and learn on their own. The reason I have given nearly 1,500 lectures and continue to do so, broadcasting lecture videos on YouTube, is for this purpose. This strategy aims to allow people to learn about me by watching YouTube lectures themselves.

The second “S” stands for “Sing.” It’s about making people sing. That’s why I directly wrote lyrics and sang songs like “Call Me” so people would sing along. Thanks to the “Sing” strategy, I earned the nickname “politainer” a portmanteau of politician and entertainer.

Next, “A” stands for “Apply.” “Apply” means to implement, to make people apply what they see me doing. The fact that people often think of me when they speak is a result of the “Apply” strategy.

Finally, “C” stands for “Copy.” This is a strategy to make politicians imitate my policies. This is also a “chokepoint strategy.” Currently, politicians are imitating my proposals, albeit in a fragmented way. By falling into this “chokepoint strategy” and imitating me, I also receive media attention.

Vocabulary

• Populism: Policies appealing to popular desires, often unrealistic.
• Paradox: A seemingly self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
• Wealth Disparity: The unequal distribution of assets among a population.
• Seven Abandonments: A social phenomenon where young people give up on fundamental life aspects due to societal pressures.
• Political Revolution: A fundamental change in political power or organizational structures.
• Distributive Justice: The fair allocation of resources and opportunities among members of a society.
• Quantitative Easing: A monetary policy where a central bank buys government securities or other securities from the market to lower interest rates and increase the money supply.
• Virtuous Cycle: A complex of events that reinforces itself through a feedback loop.
• Chokepoint Strategy: A tactic to control or influence a situation by dominating a critical point or resource.
• Holiness: 신인 “GodHuman” – A divine or sacred person.

난세 Ch.2 Huh Kyung-young The Prepared Leader for a Unified World

The Prepared Path of a Leader

Tags: “Leadership, Prophecy, KoreanHistory, GlobalUnity, EconomicPolicy, SpiritualPower, Compassion”

Vocabulary

• 소명 “MessengerDestiny”: Divine Calling

• 화이부동 “和AndNot同”: Harmony Without Uniformity

• 홍익인간 “弘BenefitHuman間”: Benefit All Humanity

• 어부지리 “漁父OfBenefit”: Fisherman’s Advantage

• 중산주의 “Middle産主Righteousness”: Middle-Class Centricism

• 제헌 “制憲”: Constitutional Establishment

• 애민정신 “Love民EssenceGod”: Spirit of Loving the People

• 자리이타행 “SelfBenefitBenefit他Act”: Self-Benefit and Altruism

• 파계정신 “博LoveEssenceGod”: Spirit of Universal Love

• 천상천하 유아독존 “Heaven上HeavenBelow 唯Self獨尊”: In Heaven and Earth, I Alone Am Honored

• 소명 (使命): Divine Calling

• 화이부동 (和而不同): Harmony Without Uniformity

• 홍익인간 (弘益人間): Benefit All Humanity

• 어부지리 (漁父之利): Fisherman’s Advantage

• 중산주의 (中産主義): Middle-Class Centricism

• 제헌 (制憲): Constitutional Establishment

• 애민정신 (愛民精神): Spirit of Loving the People

• 자리이타행 (自利利他行): Self-Benefit and Altruism

• 파계정신 (博愛精神): Spirit of Universal Love

• 천상천하 유아독존 (天上天下 唯我獨尊): In Heaven and Earth, I Alone Am Honored

1. The Divine Calling of a Leader

The Korean Peninsula is a land destined to birth a new civilization and usher in a new era, and the Korean people are the chosen nation to lead this transformation. This land is also the place where a heroic leader will emerge to guide the Korean people, transforming a world stained by selfishness and conflict into one of coexistence, harmony, and hope. This leader will one day achieve global unification, creating a paradise where nations and peoples assist each other, living in beautiful harmony without losing their unique identities.

Korea has received a divine calling to unify the world, a mission that is deeply intertwined with my own path. I have consistently prepared for the role of a supreme national leader, including two presidential campaigns and seven other electoral challenges. Running elections requires substantial financial resources, but my repeated candidacies were not due to personal wealth. They were solely driven by the need to fulfill my divine calling.

My mission is to resolve the suffering of our people and the nation’s complex challenges, leading Korea to become a first-class, exemplary global nation. Ultimately, I aim to establish a system where no one in the world suffers from basic living problems. I also bear the responsibility of resolving wars that cause unspeakable tragedies and environmental destruction that threatens humanity and the very existence of Earth. To achieve this mission, global unification is essential, and the position of a national leader in Korea, striving for world unification, is necessary. Becoming the supreme leader of Korea is the crucial first step in this grand endeavor.

2. A Life Forged by Destiny and Adversity

My father, a descendant of King Suro of Gaya and a wealthy landowner, was unjustly accused of being a communist and sentenced to death for distributing his land to tenant farmers before I was born. He passed away in a Seoul prison two days before the Korean War in June 1950. My mother, from a prominent family in a nearby village, came to Seoul to seek revenge for my father’s death. While living in a straw hut under a bridge in Jongno, she had a mysterious dream and then gave birth to me.

Upon hearing of my father’s execution, my mother searched for his body, but the outbreak of the Korean War prevented her from finding him. Carrying me, a six-month-old infant, she trekked a thousand “li” “Korean unit of distance” to Seongsan Village in Jisumyeon, where my father had lived. My mother suffered from postpartum illness, the harsh cold endured during my birth in a dilapidated hut, and the emotional pain caused by misconstruals surrounding my birth. She passed away when I was four years old.

Seongsan Village in Jisumyeon, Jinju, Kyung sangnam-do, my father’s hometown where I grew up until I was 14, is a place where the Gimhae Kim clan has lived for generations. Jisoo Elementary School, which I attended, produced many of Korea’s top business founders, including Lee Byung-chul of Samsung, Koo In-hwoi of LG, Huh Jeong-koo of GS, and Cho Hong-je of Hyosung, as well as over 30 of the top 100 “chaebol” “large family-owned business conglomerates” leaders by the 1980s.

Seongsan Village is geographically shaped like a dragon circling down from Banghwasan Mountain, its ancestral peak, then lifting its body to gaze back at it. This “dragon returning to its nest” topography, combined with the Jinju Namgang River encircling the village and flowing northward without an apparent exit, creates a unique, enclosed landscape. I became the adopted son of a tenant farmer in Seongsan Village, in the very house of a farmer to whom my father had given land. However, my life as an adopted son was no different from that of a servant. I slept alone in a cold room without heating, even in winter, and spent my days gathering firewood, tending to cattle, and helping with farming during the planting season by carrying manure.

3. The Prophecy and the Path of Learning

One day, when I was seven, a significant event occurred. While I was boiling cattle feed over a fire in the shed, an elderly Buddhist monk visited, asking for alms. After I offered him alms, the monk gazed at my face and said, “You are not a child of this house.” When I asked how he knew, the monk inquired about my parents’ names. I told him my father’s name, Huh Nam-won “AllowSouthOriginal”, meaning “permission for the southern origin” and my mother’s name, Jo Gye-su “趙Cinnamon樹”, meaning “planting a laurel tree.”My own name is Huh kyung young “AllowCapital, Quadrillion寧”, meaning “permission for the capital’s peace.”

The monk pondered the meanings of the characters and then spoke further: “Those who give precious gifts depart early without expecting anything in return. Just as Confucius and Mencius’s mothers departed early, so did yours. This allows their children to become stronger through greater suffering. A seed can be born from a large tree, but it cannot grow into a large tree if it grows right next to it, because the small tree attached to the large tree cannot receive sunlight. Furthermore, only by experiencing poverty can one truly move the hearts of the suffering and the poor.”

He continued, “Combining your father’s and mother’s names, Huh Nam-won and Jo Gye-su, means ‘permitting the power of the southern land and planting a laurel tree,’ signifying a person planted in this land to bring honor. A messenger must return quickly. Your parents were destined to bring you into this world and then depart immediately. From now on, you must diligently study Chinese classics at the “seodang” “traditional village school”. When you turn fourteen, you will have absorbed all the energy of Jirisan Mountain; then, you must go to Seoul to receive the energy of Samgaksan Mountain. In the future, you will study extensively and become a leader who brings peace to the world.”

From that day, I resolved to attend the “seodang”. I asked my adoptive father, who, despite being a farmer, had studied classical Chinese, to allow me to go, and he readily agreed. The “seodang” opened at 4 AM. I arrived on time and began studying with 40 other children. Our studies started with “Thousand-Character-Text” “Thousand Character Classic” and progressed through “Child-Ignorance-First-Learning”, “Hagyeopbi”, “Small-Learning”, “Analects of Confucius”, “Mencius”, “Big-Study”, “Middle-Use”, “Shih Ching”, “Shu Ching”, “I Ching”, “Spring-Autumn”, and “Yegi”. The method involved memorizing entire sections of previously studied material and reciting them before the teacher before moving on. All the other children, fearing the teacher’s rod, dropped out midway.

By the time I graduated from elementary school, I had studied over 30 volumes of Chinese classics, mastering Eastern thought and philosophy, including Confucianism, astronomy, geography, and human affairs.

I apprehend that when my mother visited my father in prison with me, a few months after my birth, he named me Huh kyung young and left a will-like message. He said, “To the east of Seoul is Tokyo, to the west is Xi’an “WestCapital, Quadrillion”, to the south is Nanjing “SouthCapital, Quadrillion”, and to the north is Beijing “北Capital, Quadrillion”. Our Seoul is the center of the world, commanding these four satellite capitals. Name him ‘Gung’ “Capital, Quadrillion, capital” and ‘Yeong’ “寧, peace”. When you grow up, become a person who makes Seoul the center of the world and brings peace to the people.”

Indeed, the only legacy my father left me was my name, which embodies my divine calling. This last wish, along with the monk’s prophecy when I was seven and the soil from my mother’s grave that I carried to Seoul, became the driving force that allowed me to learn and strive without despair, despite countless hardships. One day, as my father wished, I will become the supreme leader of the nation, guiding the country, bringing peace to the people, and ultimately fulfilling my mission to bring happiness to all people worldwide.

4. Extraordinary Abilities and Prophetic Insights

From an early age, I possessed extraordinary abilities. As an infant, my mother, suffering from postpartum illness, could not breastfeed me, so I was fed by neighbors. After their illnesses healed, these women eagerly competed to feed me. This continued throughout my life, manifesting as spiritual psychic abilities, not mere healing acts. Simply by looking at people, they heal themselves. This is fundamentally different from worldly healing.

This is evident from the fact that Dr. Hong, a renowned hospital director in Gangnam, after being cured by my gaze, arranged a contract for scientific research into my abilities and the establishment of an integrated medicine research institute. However, some individuals with specific spiritual circumstances may not experience the effects of my spiritual psychic abilities. In such cases, there is nothing I can do.

Most people are now aware that my IQ is 430. Dr. Jang Gok-jin, who served as a senior secretary in the presidential office during President Park chung hee’s era, left a testament to the quality of my IQ. I can demonstrate abilities beyond human comprehension in all human capacities, including learning, memory, insight, foresight, intellectual creativity, and drive. I can easily solve highly complex problems with sharp and broad insight, and with exceptional foresight, I can see events years, even decades, into the future.

For instance, over 30 years ago, I predicted that Korea would become the country with the lowest birthrate in the world, that its economy would lose vitality due to a declining working-age population and an aging society, and that national crises would emerge, such as the deepening gap between rich and poor, the collapse of the middle class, and a rapid increase in household debt. I even presented perfect solutions for these issues. This would be utterly impossible without sharp and broad insight, foresight that penetrates the future, problem-solving abilities to accurately analyze and synthesize issues, and creativity to devise appropriate countermeasures.

at the time, my proposed solutions might have seemed absurd to the general public. Back then, the birthrate was not so low, the economy was functioning reasonably well, and the middle class was robust. However, the current reality confirms my predictions, with the nation facing a catastrophic crisis. Politicians and intellectuals are only now beginning to realize the perfect solutions I presented.

I also have an innate sense for numbers. I can quickly discern and analyze how much tax revenue a country of Korea’s economic strength should generate and how much budget is sufficient for national operations. This allows me to easily identify if and where large budgets are leaking. How else could I courageously declare that “the nation does not lack money; it has too many thieves” without such abilities?

On December 19, 2012, before the 18th presidential election, when former President Park Geun-hye appeared on the news as a candidate, I appeared on Wikitree TV live broadcast and predicted that she would be elected with 50.51% support, but within four years, candlelight protests would erupt, leading to calls for constitutional amendment in the Blue House and National Assembly, and her impeachment and removal from the presidency. This prediction came true 100%.

Before Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee collapsed, I stated in a lecture, “Within a week, Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee will collapse, and the era of Lee Jae-yong will begin. Samsung’s current blue logo, which represents stability and responsibility, must be changed to a long red logo. If it is not changed, Samsung will face tremendous development with Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong.” Five days after that lecture, Chairman Lee Kun-hee indeed collapsed. Since then, with the logo color unchanged, Samsung has faced difficulties during Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s arrest and trials, which have lasted over five years. Some might dismiss the idea that a color change from blue to red could have such a significant impact, but colors, like names, hold astonishing secrets.

On September 24, 2015, I was interviewed by MBN regarding the US presidential election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. When the MBN reporter asked me who was better, I said, “If Trump becomes the US president, the American economy will be revitalized. However, if Hillary Clinton becomes president, she will cause global conflicts to feed the defense industry, and there is a possibility of war on the Korean Peninsula. Trump is not supported by weapons and defense companies; he is a self-made man. He has vitality, offers hope to the people, and even though he speaks boldly, he is a very intelligent person. He is an icon and hope for America.”

Later, I said, “I will create an American president who does not wage war during the Saturday lecture” which was a reference to Trump. It is well-known that Trump was subsequently elected US president, turning the world upside down. I favored Trump because I believed Hillary Clinton was influenced by the defense industry, whereas Donald Trump, a wealthy businessman, could finance his own campaign and was relatively free from the influence of arms dealers.

Over 30 years ago, I advocated for the abolition of inheritance tax to preserve our indigenous companies. In 2020, with the death of Chairman Lee Kun-hee, his heirs faced an inheritance tax of approximately 11 trillion won, which has become a significant burden on businesses. Indeed, there are many instances where our indigenous companies have been taken over by foreign capital due to inheritance tax. My foresight, or precognition, of such future events is a crucial ability for long-term national planning and preparing for impending problems.

My assertion that I can easily achieve Asian and global unification once I become the supreme leader is because I have a clear, comprehensive plan for what needs to be done worldwide, with detailed unification strategies and concrete solutions already devised. While it may seem exaggerated to ordinary people, all calculations derived from my intellect and insight are meticulously planned and highly realistic.

Besides these, I possess many other abilities that I have not disclosed here. The power of my name is one of them. For example, if you call my name, Huh kyung young, over milk, the milk does not spoil. Anyone can verify this through experimentation. It’s not just milk. A large cake at Alpha, gifted by one of my supporters before the party’s founding, has remained unspoiled for over two years after my name was invoked, with only slight changes in form due to moisture evaporation. This fact can be directly confirmed by visiting Alpha.

I am aware that these phenomena, which are difficult to apprehend logically, sometimes lead people to view me as strange. However, I believe that in due time, most people will naturally comprehend why these mysterious phenomena occur around me, and they will also apprehend the numerous things I have spoken about in my lectures, such as spiritual energy and various karmic illnesses.

5. The Korean People’s Global Mission

My various spiritual abilities, as a divine being, are not for my own emergence in the world. Instead, they are meant to reveal who I am, to establish the principle of “Benefit All Humanity” in the human world, and to fulfill the holy mandate for humanity to coexist and prosper.

The Korean people, who have received this divine calling, boast the world’s highest IQ. This is not merely my opinion but a scientifically researched finding. Universities in the UK and Finland surveyed the average IQ of citizens in 185 countries worldwide. The results showed Hong Kong at 107.5 “1st”, Korea at 106 “2nd”, and Japan and North Korea tied at 105 “3rd”. However, since Hong Kong is part of China, China’s overall average IQ is much lower than ours. This effectively makes the Korean people the most intelligent in the world. Even North Koreans, who live in much poorer conditions than us, are intellectually superior, like all Koreans. Japanese people are also intelligent, which is due to the mixed Korean blood. However, they cannot surpass Koreans residing on the Korean Peninsula. The richest “chaebol” in Japan, Chairman Son Jeong-eui “Masayoshi Son”, is of Korean descent. Ma Yun “Jack Ma” of Alibaba, once China’s richest man, received a $20 million investment from Chairman Son when he started his business, indicating that people of Korean descent also helped create China’s top “chaebol”.

I highlight the Korean people’s world-leading IQ for a specific reason: to assert that with such intelligence, our nation has the ample capacity to stand at the center of the global economy and emerge as a leading international power.

6. The Excellence of the Korean People

Indeed, our nation is exceptionally outstanding. The Korean alphabet, Hangeul, created by King Sejong, is globally recognized as the world’s finest writing system and is registered as a UNESCO World Documentary Heritage. Its creation principles, modeled after the principles of heaven and applying the concepts of heaven, earth, and humanity, are astonishingly scientific. Its practicality is also superb. There is no language that can express everything so accurately and correctly, and it is very easy to learn. It is also the fastest script to type on a computer keyboard, 60 times faster than Chinese characters and twice as fast as English, making it optimal for the IT era.

UNESCO annually awards the King Sejong Literacy Prize to those who have contributed to literacy worldwide. The inclusion of King Sejong’s name in the award signifies global recognition that Hangeul, created by King Sejong, is the easiest script to learn and best suited for eradicating illiteracy.

The excellence of our nation can also be found in our “ondol” “underfloor heating” culture. “Ondol” is Korea’s unique heating system, used since the Iron Age. It involves creating passages for fire beneath the floor and laying large, flat stones on top. When a fire is lit in the “agungi” “Furnace”, the heat flows through these passages, warming the stone slabs, which then retain heat for a long time, providing heating. The part made of stone slabs is called “gudeul”, and each slab is a “gudeuljang”. The passages for the fire are called “gol” or “bang-gol”, and names of kingdoms like “The Kingdom of High Fortress” and Goryeo originated from this “gol”. “Ondol” is far more efficient and hygienic than European fireplaces, and it was a unique heating technology of our people, superior to any other heating system of its time.

Today, our nation has achieved the “Miracle on the Han River” from the ashes of the Korean War, boasting one of the world’s top 10 economies. We are leading the global IT revolution and pioneering the world as an IT powerhouse. The Korean people are not only brilliant but also a nation that can unleash tremendous potential when guided by an upright and supreme leader. A prime example is how Korea, a country with no significant resources, achieved remarkable development and laid the foundation for an economic powerhouse after meeting the exceptional leader, President Park chung hee, from the devastation of the Korean War.

However, our nation is currently facing a situation where, despite overcoming traditional and absolute poverty, the deepening rich-poor divide due to the failures of capitalism and corrupt politicians has led to relative and structural poverty, with the middle class collapsing and the lives of ordinary people deteriorating daily. Our nation is once again at a point where it needs a great leader.

The Korean people are not just intellectually superior; they are also a highly civilized nation that has striven to benefit all humanity and uphold human morality. Ancient national scriptures like “Cheondo-gyeong”, “Samil Singo”, and “Chamjeon Gyeong” contain teachings from heaven aimed at enlightening the human world. Their content suggests why Korea earned the nickname “Eastern Country of Courtesy” early on. Furthermore, the founding philosophy of Gojoseon, “Benefit All Humanity” is an astonishingly high-level founding philosophy that no other nation or country in the world has ever presented. The renowned British historian Arnold Toynbee could not hide his amazement at Korea’s “Benefit All Humanity” philosophy, stating that it should become the core ideology to lead the future world. Constantin Gheorghiu, a Romanian writer who won the Nobel Prize for his work “The 25th Hour” was so captivated by Korea’s “Benefit All Humanity” philosophy that he planted mugunghwa “Rose of Sharon” in his garden and thought of Korea, demonstrating his profound love for the country.

Filial piety, loyalty, trustworthiness, courtesy, integrity, and shame are our eight great national virtues. Our people have striven to be filial to parents, harmonious with siblings, loyal to the nation, and faithful in human relationships. We also valued humility and etiquette, firmly resisted injustice, and felt shame when we made mistakes. Even Confucius wished to live in Korea, the “Eastern Country of Courtesy” indicating our nation’s reverence for etiquette. Despite numerous foreign invasions, we were a peace-loving nation that never invaded other countries first. Yet, when the nation faced a crisis, we were a righteous people who would rise up, sacrificing our lives like blades of grass. Thus, our nation is a highly civilized and vibrant people who have upheld these virtues and instilled them in succeeding generations, continuously inheriting the beautiful spirit and essence of the Korean people.

7. Korea’s Unique Geopolitical Position

Korea’s geopolitical location is also unique. Powerful nations surround us: Japan and the United States to the east, China to the west, and Russia to the north. Being sandwiched between these great powers, Korea is often viewed as being in a disadvantageous position, like a shrimp whose back is broken in a whale fight. there is some truth to this perspective. There is a risk of becoming a battlefield or a bargaining chip for great powers. Korea’s colonization by Japan was partly due to political and military dealings among great powers, and its division was also a result of their interests.

The Korean War is referred to as the “Korean War” in the international community. Although it was a tragic fratricidal war initiated by North Korea’s invasion of the South, everyone knows it was not merely a conflict between North and South Korea. Behind North Korea’s involvement was Stalin of the Soviet Union. When the war broke out, then-US President Syngman Rhee requested swift American intervention and strong support. The US, fearing the communist takeover of the Korean Peninsula, quickly called for a UN Security Council meeting, which resolved to form a UN force composed of 16 member nations. As this UN force arrived in Korea, the Korean War took on a complex international character.

The Korean Peninsula remains highly vulnerable to becoming a battlefield. Especially amidst the US-China hegemonic struggle, there is a constant risk of war, and our political stance between the two nations is often difficult. However, I do not view the Korean Peninsula’s geographical location as solely disadvantageous. On the contrary, I believe it is in a very favorable position if we skillfully utilize the “Fisherman’s advantage” in six ways.

These six scenarios of the “Fisherman’s advantage” are:

• Between China and Russia.
• Between China and Japan.
• Between Russia and Japan.
• Between the United States and China.
• Between the United States and Russia.
• Between the United States and Japan.

The famous “Fisherman’s advantage” proverb describes a situation where a heron tries to eat a clam, but the clam clamps onto the heron’s beak, preventing it from eating or even pulling its beak out. At this moment, a fisherman appears and catches both the clam and the heron. Similarly, if Korea skillfully leverages the conflicts between these great powers, it can gain significant benefits. However, this requires a wise leader. If a wise and strong leader emerges, one who is diplomatically capable and can effectively guide the nation, Korea can control and lead these great powers. If not, and if we show indecisiveness like Emperor Gojong during the late Joseon Dynasty, failing to properly assess the political situation and making ill-considered moves, it could provoke attacks from opposing nations and plunge the country into crisis. Korea is thus situated in a peculiar position that demands an exceptional leader.

8. The Korean Peninsula: The Nucleus of the World

The Korean Peninsula is unique not only in its geopolitical location but also in its traditional East-West geographical aspects. If you spread out a world map with Korea at its center, Japan and the United States are to the left, like a dragon’s position, and the American continent is to the east. China, Europe, and Africa are to the right, like a tiger’s position, embracing Korea like wings. Below the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, Taiwan, the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and the Australian continent are arranged in sequence, forming an “inner mountain” that protects the peninsula.

Indeed, Japan blocks the southwest winds from the Pacific, and the islands and countries forming the “inner mountain” successively intercept typhoons originating near the equator and moving northward, weakening their force and protecting the Korean Peninsula. In essence, the Korean Peninsula is positioned in a perfect geomantic location, like the womb of the Earth, protected by its surroundings, a supreme auspicious site. The womb is a place where new life is conceived, nurtured, and prepared before being sent into the world.

The Korean Peninsula is also the nucleus of the Earth, where the Earth’s energy is most powerfully concentrated. The superior medicinal efficacy of Korean ginseng is precisely due to the energy of this land. Foreigners also acknowledge the strong vitality of Korea’s indigenous plants. The Korean people, born on the Korean Peninsula, are no different. Koreans thrive wherever they go in the world, thanks to their strong vitality, resilience, and diligence. Overseas, they never fail.

China, for a long time, was steeped in the Sinocentric ideology, considering itself the center of the world and surrounding peoples as barbarians. However, in reality, a large country cannot be the nucleus. There is a reason why the Korean Peninsula is situated in such a peculiar geopolitical and geomantic location. It is due to the mission the Korean people are destined to undertake in world history, and it is the place where the leader who will guide this nation will appear.

Korea is not only geomantically located in the position of a woman’s womb but also, according to the directions of the “I Ching”, it is in the “Gam-bang” “艮Square?. “Gam-bang” signifies the northeast, a direction where the beginning and end intertwine. When humanity concludes its long history of struggle, characterized by the law of the jungle, and moves towards an era of coexistence and co-prosperity, the creative law of humanity, that new era will begin on the Korean Peninsula, the womb of the Earth and the “Gam-bang”.

Just as a tiger that swallows a hedgehog must eventually spit it out, despite enduring countless invasions and foreign domination throughout its long history, Korea ultimately preserved and reclaimed its land due to the divine calling bestowed upon this land and the Korean people. Our ancestors embedded the mission of the Korean people in the names of the mountains at the northern and southern ends of the Korean Peninsula. Baekdusan Mountain in the north means “the mountain where the white-clad people become leaders.” Hallasan Mountain in the south means “the mountain that embraces heaven once.” “Han” “한” refers to great nations and powerful peoples, so Hallasan means “the mountain that embraces and leads the great.” In other words, Baekdusan and Hallasan are prophecies and names embodying the Korean people’s mission: that the white-clad Korean people will become the leaders of the world, guiding great nations. Eastern philosophies like numerology, geomancy, and onomancy contain the ideas of heaven, earth, and humanity, and cosmic principles.

9. Prophecies of Korea as a Global Leader

Many people predict or believe that in the 21st century, the Korean people and Korea will become a leading nation guiding the world. Arnold Toynbee, the British historian who wrote the voluminous “A Study of History” stated in a January 1, 1973, interview with the Dong-A Ilbo, “If the day comes in the 21st century when the world unites, its center will be Northeast Asia, and its core ideology must be Korea’s ‘Benefit All Humanity’ philosophy.”

The “Gyukam’s legacy records”, left by Gyeogam Nam Sa-Go, a scholar of the mid-Joseon Dynasty skilled in geomancy and deeply knowledgeable in numerology and astronomy, states, “From a place that seems like an island but is not, a divine being, who seems human but is not, will appear and build a paradise on Earth. It is lamentable that people of the world see this sacred ruler but do not recognize him.” The place that seems like an island but is not refers to the Korean Peninsula, which appears separated from the continent by the Amnokgang and Duman Rivers, making it seem like an island yet not an island.

When Rabindranath Tagore, the Indian poet laureate, visited Japan, he was asked by a Dong-A Ilbo reporter to visit Korea but could not. In apology, he wrote the poem “The Lamp of the East” singing, “Korea, the lamp-bearing nation that shone in Asia’s golden age, when that lamp burns again, you will be the bright light of the East” predicting that Korea would become the bright light of the East.

Rudolf Steiner, a German philosopher, master of theosophy, and founder of anthroposophy, told his disciples that during a major turning point in human civilization, a “Holy Grail” nation, presenting a new way of life, is bound to appear. This nation is spiritually endowed, both individually and collectively, and has dreams and ideals for life and the world despite foreign invasions and internal oppression. After the transition from the Mediterranean civilization era dominated by Rome, that “Holy Grail” was found in the Jewish people. However, in the current era, which will be a far more fundamental transition, that nation is in East Asia. He told his disciples, “Find that nation.” One of his Japanese disciples, after studying the histories of Japan and Korea, concluded that the nation was the Korean people.

In addition to these, there are many prophecies that the Korean people and Korea will lead the world, and some people see this through physiognomy. It is said that they make these prophecies or observations without knowing much about Korea.

Our nation possesses outstanding intellect and a unique spiritual world based on “Benefit All Humanity.” We have the ability and qualifications to lead the world, and Korea is prepared as the nucleus to change the world, with special geopolitical and geomantic conditions. These matters are orchestrated by the unseen world, and the fact that famous scholars and prophets worldwide predict Korea will become the central nation leading the future is all due to the workings of the unseen world.

I have long known the divine calling of our nation. The time to fulfill this calling is now because this era is one where ethics and morality have fallen, and the law of the jungle, the survival rule of animals, dominates the human world. If left unchecked, it could lead to utter chaos, and human selfishness is on the verge of irreversibly destroying the global environment. The development of the internet, allowing words, texts, and videos to be instantly transmitted worldwide, provides the technological conditions to easily convey what needs to be conveyed to the entire world, further indicating that this is the opportune time to fulfill the mission.

10. The Dream of a Unified World and My Father’s Legacy

We are confident that our nation will soon awaken from its long slumber and realize its divine calling: to spread the “Benefit All Humanity” philosophy, first articulated by Dangun, throughout the world, and to open a unified world of harmony without uniformity, where individuals, though diverse in their uniqueness, form a beautiful whole within a healthy global environment.

My father, I cannot even remember his face, as he passed away less than six months after I was born. When my father died, Korea had only recently been liberated from World War II. In an era when fields were crucial assets and means of production, my father was a wealthy landowner in his hometown. He leased his fields to tenant farmers. At that time, tenant farmers, despite their hard work, had to give half of their harvest to the landlord, and their lives were so difficult that they worried about their next meal around the barley sprout season.

My father, feeling pity for these tenant farmers, reportedly distributed his land to them. Based on the circumstances, this is likely how events unfolded: News of my father giving away land to tenant farmers spread rapidly to neighboring villages. Landlords who heard the rumors rushed to stop him, but my father did not listen and continued with his plan. This caused other tenant farmers to become agitated, and they began demanding land from their landlords. In a panic, the landlords accused my father of being a communist, implying he was corrupting society and a healthy social environment. Consequently, my father was arrested, sentenced to death by the appellate court and the Supreme Court, and imprisoned in Seoul.

Even while imprisoned, my father seemed to dream of societal change. He left his unfulfilled dream to me through my name, Huh kyung young. I believe my father was a benevolent and righteous man. He could have lived comfortably and prosperously, but he considered the plight of the poor and suffering, striving to create conditions where they could live with dignity. He embodied the practice of “self-benefit and altruism” sharing his advantages for the benefit of others. However, my father’s good intentions and actions tragically ended in his death amidst the ideological conflicts and chaos of the left and right at the time. If society had tolerated my father’s ideas and actions, he might have been revered as a respected figure in his hometown, with a monument erected in his honor by the villagers.

11. Beyond Ideology: A New Political Philosophy

I am now following in my father’s footsteps, dedicating myself to societal change. However, unlike my father, I embarked on this path to fulfill a born mission, and my methods are entirely different. I aim to completely transform the way humans live and how the world operates, with a greater purpose and goal.

I dislike ideologies and doctrines. Sometimes, I jokingly introduce myself as “Huh-pa” “허파, meaning “lung” a play on “left-wing” and “right-wing””, but this embodies my political philosophy of transcending ideologies to embrace and benefit everyone. The ideologies or beliefs people cherish, no matter how grand they seem, are rarely perfect due to inherent human imperfection. Therefore, it is undesirable to judge one’s own beliefs as absolutely correct and others’ ideas as wrong. The ideological conflict between the left and right that plunged Korea into chaos immediately after liberation led to the establishment of entirely different political and economic systems in North and South Korea, ultimately culminating in the tragic fratricidal Korean War, solidifying national division.

Whatever we believe and practice must bring benefit to the world, not hatred, conflict, division, or even bloodshed. I wish people would look at each other with more love and show more tolerance. If my thoughts and beliefs are precious to me, I hope we can live acknowledging that others’ thoughts and beliefs are equally precious to them. This applies not only to political beliefs but also to religious ones. I hope we adopt an attitude of respecting and acknowledging the different religions people hold. If everyone adopts such an attitude, society will become more generous, peaceful, and warm.

12. Constitutional Establishment for a Middle-Class Society

It is a time when “constitutional establishment” not just “constitutional amendment” is needed. Our current constitution begins with two articles: Article 1, Paragraph 1 states, “The Republic of Korea is a democratic republic” and Paragraph 2 states, “The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea resides in the people, and all state authority emanates from the people.” However, this is not an era where ideology is paramount. What matters is not the ideology a country espouses, but rather the actual quality of life of its citizens and their happiness index.

There are hardly any countries on Earth that do not claim to be democratic. Yet, it is easy to find countries that, by any objective measure, are far from democratic. This indicates that ideology is often merely a formal declaration, detached from the lives of the people.

I propose that Article 1 of our constitution, which declares an ideology, “The Republic of Korea is a democratic republic” be replaced with “The Republic of Korea is a middle-class-centric nation where all citizens are guaranteed a life above the middle class.” This is because in a country with an economic level capable of ensuring a life above the middle class, the people, as the owners of the nation, should naturally be able to enjoy such a standard of living. Here, a “middle-class-centric nation” refers to a country where all citizens are institutionally guaranteed a life above the middle class, a concept I have defined.

Excluding ideological content that is merely a declaration, expressing the will to enhance and guarantee the quality of life for the people is truly an affirmation of a nation that values its people most and exists for its people. Furthermore, as a fundamental condition for becoming a middle-class-centric nation, I wish for the constitution to include provisions stating that “the Republic of Korea is a stock company that pays dividends to its shareholders, the people, and guarantees their basic needs.” This is based on my belief that the nation is a collective formed by individual contracts. I believe it can be defined as a stock company. In this framework, the citizens, as constituents, can be seen as the actual owners, the shareholders of the nation. The President, as the supreme leader, becomes the CEO of the company, and public officials are its employees.

The nation’s total assets have been built and accumulated over thousands of years by our ancestors and by us today. Defining the Republic of Korea as a stock company is not merely a matter of changing legal provisions. The moment the Republic of Korea is defined as a stock company, the role of the state changes, and the people’s right to pursue happiness becomes a powerful, substantive right. When a company makes a profit, shareholders are naturally entitled to dividends. This is the fundamental principle of a stock company. If the nation is defined as a stock company and the people as shareholders, the nation must naturally pay dividends to its people.

Currently, the total assets of the Republic of Korea amount to approximately 70,000 trillion won. With about 50 million shareholders, dividing the total assets by 50 million yields approximately 1.4 billion won in asset equity per person. This equity is allocated at birth and cannot be bought, sold, transferred, inherited, or seized. It is extinguished upon death. Citizens can receive dividends on this equity once they reach a certain age.

What good is it to declare “democratic republic” in the constitution if the people are not treated as true owners in reality? In fact, until now, even as the national economy grew and tax revenues increased, except in cases of disaster like COVID-19, no portion of tax revenue was ever naturally distributed to all citizens as a rightful payment. When the nation is defined as a stock company and the people as shareholders, receiving dividends, the people truly become the owners in name and in fact.

If the nation is defined as a stock company that guarantees its people a life above the middle class, other constitutional provisions must also change. Ultimately, a constitutional amendment will not suffice; a complete constitutional establishment will be necessary. The content of this new constitution should include the establishment of a stock company that pays dividends to the nation and its people, and provisions that enable the national treasury to perform its role as a stock company without hindrance. Furthermore, legal revisions must be swiftly made in accordance with the new constitution. In particular, to enable continuous and gradual dividend payments, economic wealth must increase, so measures that allow individuals and businesses to cooperate and significantly develop the national economy should be codified. When the constitution is established with a new paradigm of realizing middle-class-centricism, the status of the people will be truly established as the owners of the nation. This constitution will become the foundation for opening a just, beneficial, and inclusive world.

13. The Foundation of Love for the People

My mother, I was born in Myeonmok-dong, Jungnang-gu, Seoul. My mother endured labor alone there and gave birth to me. It was January 1, 1950, by the solar calendar. Due to personal circumstances, my official birthdate is recorded as July 13, 1947, but my actual birthdate is January 1, 1950. It was the dead of winter, with biting winds. A few layers of cotton clothing would have been insufficient to ward off the severe cold. A mother who collapsed after giving birth in the freezing cold, and a newborn covered in blood. Without someone’s care, neither the mother nor the infant would have survived.

My mother’s plight in the cotton clothes was due to my father. My mother, from a wealthy Jo family in a village near my father’s hometown, had married into a prosperous home and lacked nothing. She studied classical Chinese and had beautiful handwriting, often writing official documents for others. Such a mother became destitute overnight because of my father. To support her husband, she traveled a thousand “li” to Seoul, taking refuge in a straw hut. My mother carefully saved the money and jewelry she had hastily brought, intending to use them for my father’s indefinite support. She earned her meals by working for nearby farmers and nursed my father.

My father’s actions had altered her dreams, yet my mother did not resent him; she silently accepted her harsh fate. She worried about her husband spending winter in a cold prison and lit a candle every night to pray. The farmer who employed her suggested she pray there, but she insisted on returning to the straw hut to pray for her husband. My father was already a convicted prisoner with a Supreme Court ruling, in the worst possible situation where legally nothing could be done except a special pardon. My mother could only anxiously pray, hoping for a miracle.

My mother helped with farm work during the day and prayed in the hut at night, visiting my father whenever possible. After having a mysterious dream, life grew within her, and her belly swelled. In the early morning of the 13th day of the winter month, in the dead of winter, labor pains began. The contractions became shorter and her breathing grew rapid. The cold air seeping through the gaps in the straw hut felt like it was cutting into her flesh. Gasping for breath and pushing, my mother eventually fainted.

Before dawn, as people began to move along the railway, a loud cry of a baby was heard from somewhere. A person who had just stepped onto the railway stopped and listened to the baby’s cry. Descending under the railway bridge, the sound came from a straw hut. Pushing aside the straw mat, he saw a woman lying flat on her back, with a baby crying on her stomach. Inside the hut, there was warmth, and the mother and baby were covered by a white blanket of their breath. My mother opened her eyes to the cold wind and the presence of a stranger. The baby’s umbilical cord, crying on her stomach, was cut, and the baby was clean. My mother saw the stranger who had opened the straw door, but with his help, she leaned back and was moved to the village with her baby. That is how my mother, through her body, brought me into the world.

After recovering somewhat with the stranger’s help, my mother returned to the straw hut under the railway bridge with me, her newborn. And she began praying for my father again. One day, my mother visited my father in prison, carrying me. I do not know how my father reacted when he first saw me. All I heard was that he named me Huh kyung young, explained its meaning, and had great expectations for me.

When my father died in prison, my mother searched everywhere for his body but could not find it. As the Korean War broke out and Seoul fell into chaos, my mother fled with me, a young child. Upon returning to her hometown, my mother suffered severely from postpartum illness. This was because she had given birth in the dead of winter, with the cold seeping into her bones, and had not received proper postpartum care.

The villagers, fearing her illness might be contagious, separated me from my mother, placing me in an adjacent room and preventing me from going to her. Then, the neighborhood women took turns breastfeeding me. In the mornings, when they went to work in the fields, they tied me to a pillar with a long silk cord to prevent me from going to my mother. In such circumstances, how could my mother not shed tears? The villagers long remembered what my mother occasionally said: “To tie my young child to a pillar.. I wish I would die soon so my child could run and play freely.”My mother grieved more over my inability to play freely than over her own illness.

When I was about four years old, my mother deliberately stopped eating and quietly passed away. I, who cannot ignore the suffering of others, could only watch my young child from afar with a heavy heart. Reflecting on my mother’s feelings, I am always filled with mixed feelings of regret and gratitude. And just as my mother felt for her child, when I see people in distress, I feel a deep compassion and cannot help but assist them.

During my time attending night middle and high school, I was often expelled from class for not paying tuition. To earn money, I sold pens or even sold my blood. One day, I was on my way to school with the tuition money I had barely managed to gather. Passing by a cathedral, I saw a barefoot, foul-smelling child eating something from a trash can, then vomiting. Yet, no one passing by, not even those coming out of the cathedral, looked at the child. I stopped and approached the child. His body was emaciated from prolonged hunger, and his feet reeked. With difficulty, I carried him to a nearby hospital. The tuition money I had barely saved was, of course, entirely spent on hospital fees.

I still cannot forget the immense hardships the neighborhood women endured during my childhood. From fetching water from the communal well at dawn, to cooking three meals a day for over ten family members, doing laundry, and farm work, they had no time to rest. Furthermore, they were immersed in weaving clothes late into the night. Thinking of them pounding grain with a crying child on their back, washing clothes in cold water with numb hands, cooking meals in large cauldrons, and somehow making ends meet, still fills my heart with sorrow.

At that time, I vowed, “I will definitely create a world where these women do not have to suffer so much.” I believe that this compassion for people in difficulty is the fundamental mindset a leader must possess. Without this foundation, I believe no political activity or policy has meaning. If this compassion is absent, then despite any justification, their actions are merely manifestations of their own greed and desire for fame.

I believe that politics, based on leaders’ love for their people, should aim to manage the nation’s affairs well so that the people do not suffer and can live happy lives. Promoting national economic development should also ultimately aim to enrich the lives of the people. If the national economy has developed, but wealth distribution policies are flawed, and some citizens do not receive benefits and still live in hardship, then there is a problem with politics. Those who engage in politics have the responsibility to ensure that all citizens live well and equitably together.

Government functions such as food, housing, and public safety are ultimately intended to guarantee the lives and safety of the people. The very reason for the government’s existence is to ensure the safety and happy lives of its citizens. Therefore, those who engage in politics should make it their highest goal to guarantee the safety of the people, stabilize and comfort their lives, and create conditions for them to improve their standard of living. This should be the purpose of politics. If the motivation for politics is to seize power for personal gain or to achieve fame, then it is a misguided purpose and motivation.

It is the duty of those in politics to establish laws and policies to prevent people from falling into hardship and to implement policies that protect citizens in distress. Therefore, there is a need for the comprehension that a politician is a servant of the people, and the first quality they must possess is a spirit of profound love for the people. The reason why emperors like Yao and Shun, and King Sejong, are revered in history is that they made the peaceful and stable lives of their people their greatest goal in governance.

14. A Leader’s Unwavering Mission

I have long pursued the path of a supreme national leader, but not out of a desire for power or personal ambition. I am not someone who seeks power for personal advancement or fame by gaining popularity. Frankly, I could simply live a comfortable and happy life at Alpha, helping those who need me. However, I cannot abandon the divine calling placed on my shoulders since birth, and given my compassionate and empathetic nature, I cannot choose the easy path.

I clearly foresee the future of our nation heading towards ruin, and I cannot ignore the sight of people burdened with insurmountable difficulties, ending their own lives in unbearable pain. I cannot pretend not to see the children in African villages, without even proper water, starving with distended bellies, and simply wish for my own comfort. The feeling of a mother looking at her impoverished child—this is how I view people. I have no desire for power whatsoever. However, to realize my goals, the position of a leader is necessary, which is why I strive to become the supreme leader of the nation and, indeed, a world leader.

If the leaders of Korea and the world had ensured that all citizens could live well, that no one suffered from basic living problems, that no one starved, that world peace was established, and that environmental protection was actively pursued to solve such problems, then there would have been no need for me to step forward.

15. Qualitative Change in Life Through Economic Support

To enable all citizens to live above the middle class, I believe it is best to establish a system that promotes economic development and, under its support, provides a fixed amount of money to citizens monthly. However, the ultimate goal of this support is not just to stabilize people’s lives but to bring about a qualitative change in their lives. The important thing about change is that it must be a qualitative change, not just any change.

Consider this example: Suppose each person receives 500,000 won or 1,000,000 won per household. 1,000,000 won is far from enough for a two-person household’s living expenses, so they would still have to find other work. This would still be labor for wages. Therefore, that amount is insufficient to bring about a qualitative change in life. The father would still have no time to see his children’s faces, and he and his wife would never be able to travel freely.

An amount of about 1,500,000 won per person, or 3,000,000 won for a couple, would be necessary to ensure that even if one becomes completely unemployed, they would not fear for their future, and even if they fall ill and cannot work, they would not tremble with anxiety. Such an amount would guarantee a livelihood in any situation and help individuals withstand potential risks. Only with such an amount can Huh kyung young realize a society where people do not feel their hearts sink if they lose their jobs, where they do not worry about money if their parents are sick, and where they can say to their children, ” live doing what you want” with ease, even if they cannot buy a house. When such a society is realized, people will experience a qualitative change in life, different from the past.

I hope that all politicians, focusing on the people, will create laws and establish policies based on a warm heart that seeks to bring about a qualitative change in the lives of the people.

16. Addressing Concerns: Work Ethic and Inflation

Some people question my proposal for fixed financial support, asking, “If people receive enough money to live without working, who will work? How will factories operate and the economy function?” This seems like a valid point at first glance. However, I would ask them: “Are there more people in Korea who want to work, or more people who need such support?” The latter is undoubtedly far greater.

Some might also say that people already receive welfare benefits through the National Basic Livelihood Security Act. However, countless people struggle who do not qualify for such benefits. On a slightly different note, selective welfare systems like the National Basic Livelihood Security Act can lead to reverse discrimination for those on the borderline who do not qualify as recipients. Many of Korea’s welfare systems and policies, though implemented with good intentions to eliminate discrimination against the vulnerable, can actually create issues of fairness.

A system like the National Dividend System avoids these fairness issues because no one is excluded from its benefits. if such a plan is implemented, there might occasionally be some who do not work and are lazy. However, such individuals exist regardless of whether such payments are made, and their numbers would likely not increase dramatically. Even now, wealthy people rarely stop working just because they are rich. Humans are inherently beings who feel anxious if they are not doing something. Therefore, they have a tendency to seek out work.

when people first receive such support, some might want to rest, escaping the hardships they have endured. They might want to sleep as much as they want, travel to places they wished to visit, and enjoy a relaxed time, free from work. However, after two or three months, people naturally feel the urge to do something. This is because humans have a desire and will to improve themselves. They might want to move to a bigger house, buy a nice car, open and operate a wonderful cafe, or create a care facility to look after the elderly. These desires will stir within them, leading them to work in their own way. However, they will no longer be forced to do jobs that do not suit their aptitude just to make a living. I believe more people will do what they want, work that matches their talents and aptitudes. This will undoubtedly make it easier for many people to pursue dreams they once had but could not. For example, a talented artist who had to give up their dream due to immediate livelihood concerns could pursue it again.

Some people worry that if the government provides fixed payments to citizens, prices will rise. However, there is no need to worry. This plan involves saving about 70% of existing national budget expenditures, so the money that would have been circulated elsewhere is simply being circulated through the people. There will be no significant difference in the amount of money in the market. Also, people rarely spend money immediately upon receiving it. While some will consume, a significant portion will likely be saved. If the government were to spend its entire existing budget and then additionally provide support to citizens, prices might rise. However, if national operating expenses are saved and that money goes into the pockets of the people, there is no reason for prices to rise.

17. The Journey to Seoul and the Death of a Cow

When I was 15, I decided to move to Seoul. I had not forgotten the monk’s words from when I was seven, that I must go to Seoul. Furthermore, when I was 13, in the sixth grade of elementary school, the “seodang” teacher who had taught me classical Chinese and Confucianism passed away. Since my studies were interrupted after elementary school, the thought of continuing my education in Seoul never left me.

One day, my elementary school classmates, who were attending middle school, came to find me as I was cutting grass in the rice paddies. They had seen me, who had been first in class for six years, still wearing worn-out clothes, eating meager meals, and cutting grass in the fields and rice paddies from early morning, and felt sorry for me. They urged me to go to Seoul to study, took the sickle from my hand and the “jige” “A-frame carrier” from my back, and handed me money wrapped in newspaper, saying they had all collected it. I was so grateful and embarrassed that tears welled up in my eyes.

Despite this, I could not easily leave due to my adoptive father, who was somewhat lacking. However, I finally decided to leave because of the death of a cow I had raised since childhood. One day, my adoptive father bought a scrawny calf. It wouldn’t eat the cattle feed and couldn’t even stand up. Secretly from my adoptive parents, I mixed half of my barley rice into the cattle feed and gave it to the calf. The calf began to eat the mixed feed with relish. After that, every time I ate, I would share my rice with the calf. Eventually, I even moved my sleeping place to the cowshed where the calf was, sleeping with my arms around its neck. It was much warmer and more comfortable to sleep in the cowshed, with thick straw laid out, holding the calf’s neck, than in my own room. Thus, the calf and I became like friends, comprehension each other and relying on each other.

The calf grew into an adult cow and plowed the fields during farming season. When my adoptive father hit the cow’s rump with a rope to make it go faster, the cow would glance at me as if asking for help. In my young heart, I felt pain, but there was nothing I could do. After the farming season, I would take the cow to the mountains and fields to graze. My friends also brought their cows. I would let the cow graze in the field and then gather firewood. As dusk approached, I would call my cow. It would come running immediately. My friends also called their cows, but their cows would pretend not to hear and not come. I would lead my cow, carrying a load of firewood, and leisurely return home.

The problem was that our cow gave birth to a calf. That day, I was again gathering firewood, having let the cow graze in the field. Suddenly, something dropped from the cow’s rump. I panicked, thinking the cow was dying. It turned out to be a calf. The cow had given birth to a calf, having become pregnant at some unknown time. Soon after, my adoptive father decided to sell the mother cow, keeping only the calf. As he tried to lead the cow out the gate, the cow stomped its feet and refused to go. It stood firm, looking at its calf and mooing. It knew it was being sold, leaving its offspring behind. My adoptive mother brought a poker, saying that the more it resisted, the higher the price, and mercilessly hit the cow’s rump. I secretly followed my adoptive father, who was leading the cow away.

The cow was led to a slaughterhouse. Two men came out, took the rope, and tightly tied the cow to an iron pillar. I watched from behind the building, holding my breath, hoping to free the cow. But the two men did not leave; they brought an axe. One man held the cow, and the other struck the middle of our cow’s head with the axe. The cow bled, slumped to the ground, and then collapsed. Shocked, I started running wildly.

After returning home, I decided to leave. I had been postponing my departure, unable to leave my somewhat lacking adoptive father, but now I had no regrets. On the evening of the last day, the 15th, when I had first decided to leave, I went to the cowshed. I hugged the calf, the cow’s offspring, and cried silently. I resented the cow, which had plowed the fields for its owner until its death, even giving birth to a calf, only to be sold to the slaughterhouse without being able to live with its offspring. Parting forever with the calf, which looked at me blankly, unaware of our separation, I felt the callousness of humans for the first time.

While gathering firewood, I remembered the teachings of the Buddha. Seeing those who sacrificed animals with blood to the gods, the Buddha said, “It is not right to make other beings unhappy for your own happiness. All beings wish to live, just as you do. Harming others for oneself is selfishness. Such a person will receive unhappy consequences throughout their life. A god who demands blood is not a good god. If you treat all things with love and kindness, God will naturally help you.”

18. Departure for Seoul and the Spirit of Universal Love

I left home. It was around 8 PM, with deep darkness having fallen. My mother’s grave was on a hill overlooking the endlessly winding Jinju Namgang River. I placed my bundle, which contained all my classical Chinese books, middle school textbooks I had bought for self-study, and my diary, next to my mother’s grave. I knelt and bowed, gazing at her tomb. Tears began to flow without my knowing. Since I was seven, I had visited this place every day without fail to pay my respects, as it was close to the village and on a three-way path I always passed when going to and from the mountains to gather firewood. I could not bring myself to leave this humble grave and depart for distant Seoul.

My friends sometimes mocked me for making them wait while I bowed at my mother’s grave when we went to and from gathering firewood, but for me, it was both joyful and sorrowful, as if I were seeing my living mother. Although the mound of her grave had sunken considerably, I planted azaleas, rhododendrons, and all sorts of flowers around it, and occasionally pulled out weeds. I even built a fence of thorny bushes around her grave, fearing she might be cold.

Whenever I sat briefly before her grave after gathering firewood, gazing at Jirisan Mountain dyed by the distant sunset, the winding Jinju Namgang River, the endless white sandbanks, the blue bamboo forest, and the evening smoke rising from the village, it felt as if my mother would emerge from her thorn-encircled grave, calling my name and bringing out the dinner table. Each time, I wished this place were my home where my mother was alive, and I was reluctant to go down to the village.

I sat before my mother’s grave all night. As dawn broke, I buried all the certificates of excellence I had received for six years in front of her grave. I dug up a small amount of soil from her tomb and wrapped it in my bundle. This was so I could remember my mother, no matter what I did in Seoul.

There was a train station in Banseong, 22 “li” away. I walked towards Banseong, having skipped dinner the previous night and breakfast that morning. As I walked, I repeatedly looked back at the familiar mountains and rivers of my hometown and my mother’s grave. My vision was blurred, whether from swollen eyes or tears.

The spirit of universal love is needed. Some people might wonder why I would want to unify the world. However, I wish people would have more compassion, a broader spirit of love, a spirit of universal love. If people’s hearts were warmer, I might not have witnessed the horrific slaughter of the cow I had relied on and cherished like a friend in my childhood.

In truth, there is no separate “you” and “I”; we live within a single fence, influencing each other. Therefore, we must cherish each other, help each other, and show compassion to the poor, the struggling, and the weak. Such acts of altruistic love ultimately return as blessings to oneself.

Shakyamuni Buddha said, “In heaven and on earth, I alone am honored.” This means that in the universe, there is only “I” and that “I” is noble. In other words, there is nothing in the universe that is not “I” so all beings must be cherished. Sometimes, people misinterpret this to mean that only the Buddha is honored in the entire universe, but that is incorrect. How could a sage like Shakyamuni utter such arrogant words?

As stated in our ancient scripture, “cheon-bu-gyeong(天符經)”, all things in the universe originated from one, and that one, through repeated divisions, unfolded into all things, forming a vast, single universe. All beings within this single universe are equally noble. Just as eyes, nose, ears, arms, and legs are connected to form one body, and that body is precious, so too are the eyes, nose, ears, arms, and legs that constitute that body all precious. “Treat others as yourself and with compassion” “look and act with altruism”—this is the teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha’s “In heaven and on earth, I alone am honored.” Jesus’s saying, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” has a similar meaning.

Instead of wishing for your own child’s success or praying only for yourself, it is better to serve the poor and needy. That is true prayer. If someone possesses outstanding abilities, great wealth, or has gained power, it is not given solely for their own benefit. It is given to serve others. One reaches a position to help others because countless other people exist. Just as waves crash because there is seawater, if one excels academically, it is because there were other students who were less capable, allowing one to achieve such honor. If one has accumulated great wealth, it is because there were people who helped make it possible or who were relatively less fortunate.

When we approach others with such a mindset of compassion, love, and altruism, the world will see love, harmony, and peace instead of injustice, indifference, conflict, and strife. A world of co-prosperity will open, where I also prosper through the prosperity of others. My idea of providing fixed government support as a right, born from considering the anxieties of women responsible for household finances and the struggles of the poor, is based on a spirit of universal love. Furthermore, my proposals to resolve the debt of citizens and to provide opportunities for credit recovery to defaulters through 20-year interest-free, unsecured loans are also rooted in a spirit of love and universal love for the people.

Moreover, my ambition to unify Asia and the world after becoming Korea’s leader is also fundamentally driven by universal love. This is because countless people on this planet continue to starve, exposed to disease, and die from hunger every year. Endless wars erupt in various parts of the world, causing countless innocent people to die or lose their homes, becoming refugees living miserable lives. My aim is to put an end to these tragedies.

난세 ch.3 Huh Kyung-young Forged by Adversity, Destined for Leadership

The Hero of a Troubled Era: The Formative Years of Huh kyung young

Tags: “Leadership, Resilience, Education Reform, Economic Policy, Spiritual Wisdom”

1. A Childhood Forged in Adversity

Good day. This is Park Kyung-ha, reading from the book “Do You Know Huh kyung young, the Hero of a Troubled Era?” a book that all Koreans and, in the future, all global citizens should read. Today, we will delve into Chapter 3, “A Period Forged in Suffering.” It is said that keeping this book at home brings good fortune. I urge you to acquire it, share it widely, and embrace welfare and good luck.

Chapter 3: A Period Forged in Suffering. The Korean people, who have endured countless trials and tribulations throughout their long history, are now poised to become a great phoenix. This small land is destined to produce a magnificent nation that will soar powerfully across the globe, creating a wonderful world. I, too, who bear the mission of realizing a bright and benevolent world, had to undergo a long period of tempering through numerous trials and sufferings.

Raised amidst the love of life and the contemplation of death, I narrowly escaped death many times from an early age. Behind the house where I lived, there was a field stretching 200 meters to a lakeside, beyond which lay rice paddies. Next to the paddies was a small pond. One summer, at the age of five, I was playing alone in the pond and fell into its deep end.

At that moment, about a kilometer away, under a zelkova tree, a young man named Kim Young-gi, a farmhand from our village, was taking a nap after setting down his A-frame carrier on his way to gather firewood. Suddenly, a woman’s mournful voice called his name, waking him. He opened his eyes, but the woman was nowhere to be seen. As the voice continued to call from one direction, the young man walked a considerable distance along the rice paddy path towards the sound. After walking about a kilometer into the middle of a field where no one usually passed, following the woman’s calls, he found a small child floating with a swollen belly in a small pond. He quickly pulled the child out of the water and revived him by making him expel the water. That child was me.

It is said that from the moment he discovered me, the mournful voice ceased. This young man, Kim Young-gi, had buried his mother in the village mountain a year prior. After that incident, the rumor spread throughout the village that the sorrowful woman’s voice he heard was my mother’s. Whenever the village women saw me, they would stroke my head, saying, “This young child, this young child will live well” and shed tears while speaking of my deceased parents. They would also offer me food and comfort, showing me much affection, allowing me to grow up surrounded by an abundance of love.

2. Miraculous Escapes from the Brink of Death

The power that saved me from the brink of death. I don’t remember how old I was, but one day I went to the mountains to gather firewood. I climbed a tall tree to pick pinecones, but my hand slipped, and I fell from the tree. I lost consciousness for a moment, but when I came to, I found myself hanging precariously from a broken branch, with a long wound on my abdomen and my upper garment caught on the branch. I was bleeding, but the wound was not very deep. If I had fallen directly to the ground instead of being caught by the branch, I would have suffered severe injuries, perhaps a broken leg. I managed to reach out, grasp the tree, free my clothes from the branch, and climb down.

When I was about nine years old, I had gathered many pinecones and was carrying them down a treacherous cliff path. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and I tumbled down the cliff with my A-frame carrier. Fortunately, the carrier hit the ground first, so my body was not severely injured. If my body had hit the rocks first or been crushed by the carrier, I would have been gravely wounded or lost my life.

Besides these incidents, I almost died when a cow I was feeding grass to on a field ridge slipped and fell into a ditch, overturning and pinning me underneath with both hands. Another time, while cutting grass in the mountains, I was bitten by a poisonous snake hidden in the grass, lost consciousness, and woke up two hours later. There was also an occasion when a cow I was leading disturbed a beehive, and hundreds of bees swarmed and attacked me. I ran for hundreds of meters and jumped into a stream, but the bees pursued me and stung my body, leaving me in critical condition for about a week.

Even after coming to Seoul, I crossed the threshold of death countless times. When I first arrived in Seoul, I was shining shoes in Namdaemun Market to earn money for night middle school. One day, I heard that I could earn pocket money by appearing as an extra in a movie, so I went to film a war movie on Dobongsan Mountain. I was climbing the mountain in an allied uniform when suddenly an explosive detonated right in front of my face. My body was thrown about 10 meters into the air before crashing to the ground. If I had lost consciousness, I would surely have died.

Another time, I was living as a foster son to a pastor. During the day, I worked at a rubber factory, and in the evening, I attended night school. One day, a pile of discarded tires stacked high in the factory yard suddenly collapsed, and I was buried underneath. I was barely pulled out with the help of others, but I was severely injured.

Afterward, through the pastor’s introduction, I started working at a factory near Seoul Station that manufactured and exported gold rings. They made 14k and 18k gold and silver alloys, a process that involved boiling and melting two metals with potassium cyanide. I was assigned this task, and I couldn’t avoid inhaling the smell of potassium cyanide. Prolonged exposure to potassium cyanide as part of my job caused nosebleeds and made me accustomed to its odor. I nearly died several times.

During my third year of night high school, living in a tent on top of a shantytown in Hongje-dong, I had no thermal underwear. I wrapped my entire body in newspaper under my school uniform and shivered through the night. Wrapping myself in newspaper made it less cold and also prevented lice. However, one day, I went to school wrapped in newspaper and was discovered by my friends during physical education, leading to embarrassment.

Then, one night, as I slept in the tent, I suddenly began to experience severe abdominal pain. I endured the pain, shivering and clenching my teeth, for two days. When I set out for school on the third day, I lost consciousness and collapsed on the street. I woke up in a hospital operated by a Christian foundation. My appendix had ruptured, and the foreign matter had spread to my peritoneum. So much time had passed that the peritonitis was severe, making it very difficult to save me. Fortunately, the surgery was successful, and I miraculously survived. However, since it was a free surgery, I could only stay in the hospital for three days and had to be discharged. The nurses, feeling pity for me, pleaded with the hospital to allow me to stay for another week, but their request was denied. With tears in their eyes, the nurses collected money and pressed it into my hand, telling me never to live in a tent again.

After being discharged from peritonitis surgery, I took a month off from night school and worked temporarily at the 155 city bus depot. Late at night, after bus operations ended, the driver would repair the seats, and I would assist. Since it was late at night after repairs, I would sleep inside the bus, hugging the work light used for repairs to illuminate the surroundings. That night, as I slept hugging the light, the heat from the light ignited the blanket and seat I was using. The fire spread to my clothes, and the bus was filled with smoke. I barely escaped, nearly dying in the burning smoke.

One day, the car I was riding in had a head-on collision with an oncoming car, and I was the only survivor. Another time, while carrying bricks up to the fourth floor of a building under construction in Myeong-dong, I fell from the second floor with my A-frame carrier and lost consciousness.

Also, during my third year of high school, to earn tuition, I sold blood at a hygiene hospital, receiving 3,000 won per donation. However, that money was not enough for tuition, so I donated blood three times consecutively over a short period. Eventually, I lost consciousness on the hospital lawn. I fell into a coma and went to the brink of death, but I woke up due to a strange phenomenon. I was lying on the lawn, and the evening bells of a church, which I had embraced as a hygiene measure, were ringing.

One cold winter night, as I slept in my tent on top of Hongje-dong, a blizzard blew the tent away. While searching for the tent, I fell off a cliff and lost consciousness, but I survived with only a broken leg.

Thus, I experienced many near-death situations, but each time, I was saved by the help of others or miraculously survived by some unknown force.

3. Empathy Born from Shared Suffering

I also faced near-death experiences many times while trying to save others. One day, in Heukseok-dong, Seoul, I witnessed a head-on collision between a taxi carrying a professor who worked as a doctor in Gangnam and his mother, and another car. Both were severely injured and unconscious inside the taxi, left unattended. Suddenly, flames erupted from the taxi. As the fire spread towards the taxi’s LPG tank, many surrounding cars and people fled.

I was driving my car at the intersection in front of the Won Buddhism Hall in Heukseok-dong. As soon as I saw the scene, I resolved to die and approached the taxi. People shouted from all directions, warning that the taxi would explode and urging me to retreat quickly. Still, I parked my car next to the taxi and moved everyone inside to my vehicle. Then, I drove 1.5 kilometers to Gangnam St. Mary’s Hospital. Hearing the emergency room doctor say that they would all have died if they had bled a little more, the tension released, and my consciousness became hazy.

These near-death experiences strengthened me and allowed me to apprehend the suffering of others more deeply. While I am naturally inclined not to overlook the difficulties of others, my direct experiences with pain and the brink of death became the driving force behind my empathy for others’ suffering and my desire to help them.

4. The Profound Influence of Formative Years

The years that greatly influenced me. I returned to the tent after working as a boxer, but my body had not fully recovered. Living in the tent in that condition, my abdomen gradually swelled, and painful symptoms appeared. Unable to do anything else, I would sometimes rest in the church hall at night. One day, I visited Hongguksa Temple on Nogosan Mountain, near Bukhansanseong Fortress. There, I recuperated, chopped firewood for the temple, and attended school at night. I stayed in a small room next to the main gate, in the Hamyang Cheongdo area.

I chopped wood during the day and attended school at night. By the time school ended, it was too late to eat dinner at the temple, so I often went hungry. However, in a large room facing mine, where there was a color TV, a wealthy young woman was recuperating. She was a third-year university student and a regular visitor to the temple. After school, I had to walk about 4 kilometers from the bus stop, where there was no light, up the Hongguksa Valley to reach the temple. When I looked towards the temple from afar, I could see the light on in her room. The light was like a lighthouse guiding a ship in the dark night.

Seeing that light, I gathered courage and arrived at the temple. At some point, she started to keep dinner for me, hidden under her room’s blanket, and would bring it to me. When I was gathering firewood in the red-leafed forest during the day, she would sometimes come and read poetry to me. Listening to her read poetry, I would naturally recite my own poems alongside her.

That beautiful young woman, like a maiden, quietly passed away that winter on a day when the snow was ankle-deep. I knew about her illness. She used to say that just seeing me, who had been given bitter medicine as a child, made her feel better. However, I could not do anything about her illness. It was partly because her illness was beyond my control, but also because I was in a period of preparing myself to fulfill my future mission. This involved personally experiencing countless human sufferings, including the pain of separation, and comprehension and empathizing with complex human emotions and pain.

Facing her death, I felt an unspeakable sense of loss and a deep powerlessness for not being able to cure her illness. Amidst this powerlessness and self-reproach, I could not forget the warm love I had received from her, like a mother’s embrace. As time passed, it became a deep longing in my heart. After she passed away, whenever I returned to the temple after school, I would wander through the pitch-black, silent mountain valley, devoid of the lighthouse’s glow, and shed silent tears. Whenever I studied past midnight in the temple’s gatehouse room, hungry, I would instinctively look towards her large room, as if she might enter with a dinner tray.

My mother passed away three years and six months after I was born. When her funeral procession left, the village women told me, “Your mother is going to Seoul in a flower palanquin.” Being a naive child, I believed them and danced, boasting to other children. It is said that the entire village wept at the sight. When they burned the blanket and clothes my mother used to sleep with in the stream, yellow smoke rose high into the sky. At that time, I watched the fire, unknowingly joyful. At the tender age of four, I did not fully comprehend my mother’s death and let her go.

However, standing before the death of that young woman who taught a lonely boy beautiful poetry while drawing the red-leafed mountain temple, I truly felt many things. The death that leaves those remaining unable to see their loved ones again, the deep sorrow and wounds it brings, the pain of separation and longing, the memory of a mother cow sold to the slaughterhouse, shedding tears for her young calf, and my inability to save the young woman who fell like a leaf—these memories, along with my longing for my mother, remained as wounds in my heart that could never truly heal.

Soon after she passed away, I left the temple and returned to the tent in Hongje-dong. Leaving the temple without her, I spent a night under the Jungnyang Bridge, where my mother had given birth to me, hugging my worn-out schoolbag and shedding many tears. I longed for my mother anew.

In the third grade of elementary school, my homeroom teacher, Ms. Kim Myeong-suk, would make me stand next to her at the end of class and hold my hand, often facing scorn from other students, simply because I had no parents. She would then take me to the faculty office, seat me next to her, give me tasks, and tell me many stories. However, when I was 11, she was suddenly transferred to a distant school. I watched her departing figure from a second-story alleyway, hidden, as other teachers saw her off from the village entrance, and I shed silent tears.

A few days before she left, the teacher took me to a riverside hill in the village and sat with me. She held my hand tightly, shedding tears, and told me that just as the stars in the sky would one day meet again, we would surely meet again, and that I should never give up on my studies. That teacher had given love and courage to a boy who lived without parents in someone else’s home, without a smile, and came to school in shabby clothes. After the young woman’s death, a vague longing and curiosity arose within me, wondering where and how that teacher was living.

My mother, who left when I was seven; Ms. Kim Myeong-suk, who left when I was eleven; and the young woman, who left when I was eighteen. Since then, whenever I think of these three women, I feel as if they are always watching over me. The thought of repaying their love and expectations makes me resolve to care for those in need and do good in the world, even more than what I have received.

These various experiences during my youth were a preparation for fulfilling my future mission, a period destined for me to experience everything a human being could endure. During this time, my identity was obscured even to myself, but it was also a period designed for me to gradually realize my true self through these diverse experiences.

5. The Sanctity of Life and Societal Responsibility

The profound importance of life. I contemplated the preciousness of life as I experienced numerous near-death situations and witnessed the deaths of others. Life, when fully apprehended, is a command to survive. All living beings on this earth live by the command to live. Each living being is imbued with the will to live, designed to think and act towards survival. Therefore, all living beings dislike death. Humans, of course, but even animals and lower creatures like earthworms struggle to survive when their lives are in danger or threatened.

However, nowadays, the disregard for life is excessive. Homicides are one thing, but suicides, where individuals voluntarily reject the command to live, are ceaseless. People commit suicide due to despair over financial hardship, business failure, inability to manage credit card debt, or depression. Teenagers commit suicide due to stress from the college entrance exam hell, despair over school grades, or bullying. Celebrities take their own lives due to online malicious comments, and even politicians resort to suicide when corruption is exposed or they face social condemnation. This phenomenon reflects how lightly life is regarded.

this phenomenon is not solely the fault of individuals. The responsibility of the state and society cannot be denied. In the past, suicides were often due to personal faults or tendencies, such as individuals taking their own lives due to social pressure after committing immoral acts, young people losing the will to live after failed relationships, or a sense of disillusionment with life. However, now, most suicides are due to social problems. Financial hardship, unbearable debt, school grades and violence, social stress, and online malicious comments are all causes of suicide for which society and the state bear responsibility.

As I have always said, the increasing number of suicides is primarily the responsibility of our nation’s politics. If politicians govern well and manage the nation’s affairs properly, a society that drives individuals to suicide cannot be created. Statistics show that as the unemployment rate rises, so does the suicide rate. How many citizens commit suicide because they cannot bear their debts?

Debt that individuals cannot manage is also a national problem. Because the state fails to stabilize real estate prices, people constantly worry about housing prices and incur debt to buy homes, even taking out loans. If the state guaranteed citizens a life free from worries about livelihood, providing even rental housing, raising children, marrying them off, and living without concerns about old age, then, except in special cases, citizens would not recklessly borrow money for investments or even engage in gambling-level businesses.

If economic policies are well-established, even businesses started by individuals can turn a profit. Situations where businesses operate at a loss year after year, struggling and eventually closing down, would not occur. Economic policies that burden businesses and create unemployment push both businesses and citizens to the brink, turning them into defaulters. Or, economic policies that deepen the gap between rich and poor drive citizens into poverty. Incidents like family suicides, which occasionally appear in the news, are often extreme choices made by citizens who can no longer endure the vicious cycle of poverty.

That’s not all. Why do politicians fail to reform education so that children can study happily, learn joyfully, unleash their creativity, and develop their character, instead of leaving them in the hell of college entrance exams and school violence, creating suicidal teenagers? Because politics is not upright, our country, regrettably, has the highest suicide rate among OECD countries.

Life is sacred. It must never be carelessly ended. My life is precious, and so is the life of others. Human life is precious, and animal life is precious. All have the right and duty to live, having received the command to survive. Individuals must awaken to the preciousness of life and value their own lives. The government must place the people’s livelihood at the center of its policies so that citizens are not driven to the brink where they abandon even their lives. Ideology or doctrine that disregards the lives of the people is not righteous. The fundamental purpose of politics is to ensure that citizens can live stable lives.

6. Reforming the Educational Paradigm

We must change the education system. Since the issue of youth suicide has come up, I would like to discuss school education. Approximately 800 teenagers commit suicide in Korea each year. 800 people. Considering the number of those who attempted suicide but did not succeed, the number of youth suicide attempts is estimated to be enormous. The biggest cause of youth suicide is undoubtedly the current flawed education system. Due to excessive, endless competition and an education system focused on college entrance exams, many children, whose mental development is not yet complete, cannot overcome academic stress and make extreme choices. Cases where students choose suicide due to school violence are also a result of education’s failure to properly provide character education that can prevent school violence.

What is education? Humans are born with innate spontaneous and creative potential and a desire to develop and advance it. Education means to nurture these possibilities, inherent talents, and to help and guide them towards the right direction. The Chinese character ‘교 “敎”‘ means ‘to teach,’ and ‘육 “育”‘ means ‘to raise’ or ‘to help grow properly.’ Education is to fully and properly blossom human talents, nature, and spontaneous and creative potential.

But is the current education system in Korea doing that? It is a standardized education that completely disregards individual talents and aptitudes. Although efforts have been made to change the content, the dominant teaching method remains rote learning and memorization, tailored for exams. Students are forced to study and take exams in numerous subjects that do not match their aptitudes, and their university admission is determined by the results of just one or two exams. Although the college entrance exam system has been changed numerous times whenever governments and education ministers changed, this fundamental foundation and basic framework have rarely changed significantly.

Within this education system, children are driven into fierce competition, losing their humanity and their unique talents and personalities. Their creativity is forcibly and utterly suppressed, and standardized content is repeatedly injected, treating children as if they were products on an assembly line. Students who are well-drilled have a higher chance of success in college entrance exams. As a result, teachers and academies that teach memorization techniques, explain problem-solving strategies even for mathematics, and select frequently tested content become popular. Children spend late nights at school or academies to win the competition and succeed in college entrance exams, leaving no time for physical training or playing with friends.

Children’s basic education begins at home, but children can barely even see their parents, let alone converse with them. According to one survey, Korean teenagers spend an average of only about 13 minutes a day talking with their parents. How can proper home education be provided then? Furthermore, the phenomenon of “wild goose fathers” where mothers and children go abroad for the children’s education while fathers remain in Korea, working hard and sending money, has become common in our country. This is undeniably a phenomenon of family disintegration caused by Korea’s flawed education system. The current education system is not only ruining school education but also disintegrating families.

The current educational philosophy, which prioritizes knowledge “지”, then virtue “덕”, and finally physical health “체”, is also flawed. This order means prioritizing intellectual education, followed by character education, and lastly physical education. This order should be reversed. No matter how much knowledge one possesses, if one is sick and has health problems, that knowledge is useless. Physical education, which promotes physical health, should be prioritized. Children should be able to play freely in playgrounds and engage in physical activities.

Next, education that only imparts knowledge but lacks character, or education without integrity, is also a major problem. Character has always been considered the most important aspect of education since ancient times. This is because character was regarded as the most crucial goal of education. Education that lacks character cannot be considered true education, and knowledge-only education without character education can even harm society. The widespread selfishness in our society today is largely due to the failure of proper character education. Anyone who listens to children’s conversations or rides a bus or subway will realize how poor character education is.

Our education system, which has lost its fundamental purpose and direction and, instead of helping children’s proper growth, rather harms and misguides them, must be changed as soon as possible. I believe that the college entrance exam “Suneung” should be abolished. Instead, during the secondary education process, students should be able to enter university based on their cumulative mock exam scores in one subject of their choice over four years. Other subjects should only require attendance, allowing teenagers to maintain their health, build friendships, and enjoy school life without excessive exam stress. I also believe that physical education should be assertd, and revolutionary changes should be made to character education methods.

Focusing on just one subject makes school life enjoyable. Since students can concentrate on subjects they are talented in and enjoy, like the tortoise and the hare, they can become specialists in one field by developing their respective talents. Since each child may have different preferred subjects, there is no need for excessive competition. I believe that suicidal impulses due to academic stress will naturally disappear.

I also believe that Chinese character education should be introduced from elementary school in the curriculum. It is problematic that our country, which belongs to the Chinese character cultural sphere along with China and Japan, does not properly teach Chinese characters. Historically, many records of the Korean people are written in classical Chinese, and it is difficult to properly apprehend our culture without examining texts written in Chinese characters and classical Chinese. When expressing in Korean, if only the phonetic script Hangeul is used, it can be difficult to clearly convey the meaning of words that have multiple meanings. In fact, throughout a long history, Chinese characters have also been the script of the Korean people, and while Hangeul is a phonetic script, Chinese characters form a complementary pair with Hangeul as ideograms.

Chinese characters contain history and culture. For example, the Chinese character ‘백선 “百鮮”‘ evokes Noah’s Ark in the sacred realm. This is because the character contains the meaning of eight people like a boat. Through the Chinese character ‘정백선 “Right百鮮”‘, one can infer that there was migration or cultural transmission between the peoples at the eastern and western ends of Asia. Furthermore, learning Chinese characters has the advantage of making new words easier to apprehend.

Moreover, exchanges with China and Japan are expected to become even more active in the future. Without knowing Chinese characters, which are a common written language, communication problems can arise. Future generations of teenagers living in a global era must learn Chinese or Japanese in addition to English, and knowing Chinese characters and classical Chinese is very advantageous for learning these languages.

I believe that future generations should be encouraged to learn about Eastern philosophy and thought. Chinese characters and Eastern philosophy and thought are the roots of our Korean people. A nation that forgets its roots will find it difficult to unite and may be assimilated by other nations, disappearing without a trace. Furthermore, learning Eastern philosophy and thought is, in itself, character education. Virtues such as loyalty and filial piety are immutable virtues that humans must uphold, even as times change.

In Japan, the I Ching is taught from elementary school. Learning the I Ching allows one to apprehend the principles of the world and can help in setting life goals or making important decisions. In the West, too, the I Ching is used for important decisions. It is natural that the I Ching is utilized when NASA launches spacecraft or makes other critical decisions. It is not right to consider Western metaphysics as the only profound wisdom and disregard our traditional thoughts and studies. Western science is considered great, but each theory is a kind of hypothesis, often differs from facts, and is frequently replaced by new theories.

Education is a plan for a hundred years. Our nation has hope when our children receive proper education, grow up healthy, unleash their creativity, and become future generations who can uphold beautiful customs and traditions. If education is properly established, we can nurture talents who will become pillars of the nation based on creativity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, opening up a Republic of Korea that can lead the future society.

7. The Arduous Journey to Seoul and the Kindness of Strangers

A life in Seoul that began with hardship, with a bright and benevolent heart even amidst trials. The journey from my hometown, where my mother’s grave was, to Seoul was a painful and anxious pilgrimage. I initially planned to walk to Seoul, believing I had to live there, led by friends, so I did not take the train. I started walking from Banseong Station, heading in what I thought was the direction of Seoul. Sometimes I ran on flat ground, and sometimes I climbed mountains. While climbing a mountain, my black rubber shoes tore, and I ended up walking barefoot. After two days of limping, I arrived in Masan. My feet were bleeding and blistered, and I could not walk any further.

When I went to buy a train ticket, I found I only had enough money to go as far as Daejeon. Reluctantly, I bought a ticket to Daejeon and boarded a slow train bound for Seoul. From Daejeon onwards, I hid under the seat, a stowaway. My heart pounded every time a conductor passed by, checking tickets. Eventually, I was caught by station staff at YeongDeungPo Station, near Seoul Station. There were many others caught for fare evasion besides me.

The station staff took the book bundle from my hand, opened it, and pressed me, saying, “Aren’t you the one who stole your father’s book 30 years ago?” When I said it was my book, the staff told me to read it. When I recited it fluently, the staff were surprised and began to read the diary that was with it. It contained my past life, thoughts, and aspirations. The station staff looked at me with great surprise, then opened the bundle of soil I had brought from my mother’s grave. When the soil appeared, the staff asked, “Why did you bring the soil?” I replied, “It is the soil from my deceased mother’s grave. I brought it to strengthen my resolve when I face difficulties while studying in Seoul.”

A female station staff member nearby pulled out a handkerchief and wiped away tears. Then, the staff members conversed, and the female staff member approached me. “The police will be here soon to arrest those who evaded fares. I’ve secretly arranged for you to be let go, so go that way. And this money is what we collected; it’s not much, but buy some food and find a place to sleep. I wish I could take you home, but my family is large, so I can’t.” She held my hand tightly and pressed the money into it.

Staring blankly at Seoul, where my father and mother had last parted ways, a memory I couldn’t recall, I stood like a 망부석 “mangbuseok, a stone figure of a woman waiting for her husband” in Seoul Station Plaza, clutching my old book bundle. Seoul, a foreign land, where my mother, having lost her husband who vanished like dew on the execution ground, had left during the war, weeping with her sick body and holding me, a young child. My name, even my name, remained. I was reborn into Seoul, a city of destiny from which I could not sever ties.

Many people later told me it was my mother’s dying wish, but I had vowed from a young age to find my father’s remains, or if I couldn’t, to erect a monument at the site of the Seoul prison where he died. I first visited Seodaemun Prison and prostrated myself on the ground before the prison gate, bowing to my father. Then, I asked about Jungnyang Bridge, where my mother had given birth to me, and went to see it. Although I couldn’t pinpoint the exact location of the small hut where my mother had lived, I assumed it was a wide open space by the water. I went down there and stood for a while, thinking of my mother, then gazed at the flowing river. It felt as if my mother’s pure tears, shed every night as she lit candles and prayed, desperately wanting to save her husband after her life suddenly plummeted into despair, were mixed somewhere in the river, flowing away.

I returned to Namdaemun Market, where many people gathered, and while looking for a place to go, I started working as a shoe shiner at the market entrance. At night, I slept with other shoe-shining children in an unlicensed dormitory. Then, I enrolled in a night middle school called Hyeopseong Godong Public School in Ganam. In that dormitory, people smoked so much that the smoke and smell made it impossible to concentrate on studying. I left that place and wandered through several others, including working as a waiter in a Chinese restaurant, but nothing was suitable.

After much deliberation, I decided to try my luck at a temple and went to Hwagyesa Temple in Suyu-ri. There, I met Master Songsan Yi Haeng-won. The Master took me in as his foster son, becoming my second foster father. I cooked meals there, not only for the Hwagyesa monks but also for about 200 students from Dongguk University’s Buddhist College dormitory, totaling about 1,000 servings a day. And at night, I attended school. That’s how I was able to graduate from night middle school while cooking at Hwagyesa Temple. In my spare time at the temple, I read the Tripitaka Koreana, mastering Buddhist philosophy, including the Middle Way. After graduating from middle school there, I enrolled in Hyeopseong Industrial Technical School, a high school program.

However, around that time, Master Sungsan left for America to spread Buddhism. The Master told me, “You need to study, but there is too much work here, making it difficult to study. you should leave this place. If you go to Geumjeong, there is a small temple called Cheongnyongsa; go there.” As I climbed the mountain to find Geumjeongsan, five women were descending. When I asked about Cheongnyongsa Temple, they asked back, “Why is a student looking for a temple?” I replied, “To work during the day and attend school at night.” Then, they almost snatched my schoolbag and took me to Naesudong Church in Gangnammun, saying that I could sleep and study there with the pastor.

This is how Pastor Hong Gan-seok became my third foster father. The pastor was from North Korea and was very incorruptible. At that time, he had only one blanket brought from North Korea, and we both slept under it. However, when I woke up cold during the night, I would find the blanket pulled over by the pastor, leaving me uncovered. Some nights, I would be covering myself alone. Without realizing it, we both repeatedly engaged in a blanket tug-of-war while sleeping. I stayed there for two years, working during the day and attending school at night. In my spare time, I studied the Old and New Testaments of Christianity, and on weekends, I would climb to the top of the village, beat a drum to gather children, bring them to the church, and teach them the Bible.

8. The Synthesis of Knowledge and Ideologies

Having mastered human knowledge and ideologies through day and night study, I began to pursue my academic dreams by enrolling in middle school while shining shoes immediately after arriving in Seoul. Although it was a night middle school, I studied as diligently as students attending day middle school. If my living situation was not suitable for studying, I would seek out other places and combine work with study there. In the unlicensed dormitory, it was impossible to study due to the cigarette smoke and smell from the shoe-shining children, so I moved from place to place before settling at Hwagyesa Temple. At Hwagyesa, there was too much work, and I lacked time for study, so I left when Master Sungsan departed.

The situation was similar at Naesudong Church, where there was also a lot of work. The pastor introduced me to jobs, saying that people must work to live. I worked for one semester at a rubber factory, and then at a gold ring factory called Dongyangdang, operated by a church member, where I was buried under tires. After work, I would go to school, and by the time I returned to the pastor’s residence at the church late at night, I was utterly exhausted. However, I never neglected my school homework or review, and after school, I immersed myself in reading the Bible.

Having already mastered classical Chinese texts in elementary school and studied the Tripitaka at Hwagyesa Temple in the foothills of Bukhansan, thereby comprehending Buddhist philosophy, I now began to grasp Christian thought. I would even create four-character Chinese idioms for concepts like Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, such as “심령이 가난한 자는 천국이 저의 것이며” “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, which I would memorize as “영빈천국” “Spiritually poor, heaven’s kingdom”. Thus, I reached a level where I could master, compare, and analyze Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity.

However, the work was too demanding, and I lacked time for study. On weekdays, I worked at the gold ring factory during the day, studied at school at night, and on weekends, I had no choice but to teach children in the village. Therefore, around the time I was about to enter my third year of high school, I discussed it with the pastor and left that place, setting up a tent on top of a mountain in Hongje-dong to live alone.

Hongje-dong Moaksan, also known as Ansan, is a low mountain behind the village. Even at that time, a shantytown had formed quite high up the mountain, and people would climb to the spring on the mountainside to draw water. I acquired a military tent and pitched it near the spring in winter, and on the mountaintop during other seasons when the weather was milder. Inside the tent, I made a fire and placed my books and clothes on one side. After school, it would be late at night, so I would light a candle and do my homework and study. On days when I didn’t have money to buy rice, I would study by the light of the moon or snow. For food, after school, I would buy two hotteok “sweet pancakes” and eat one in the morning and one in the evening. If a mouse came and ate my hotteok at night, I would go without breakfast. One night, as I slept, I suddenly felt a sharp sting on my nose. I opened my eyes to find a mouse gnawing at my nose.

During the day, I would go downtown to sell pens and other items, and in the evening, I would attend school. However, when I returned from work during the day, neighborhood children would come to my tent to play, tear up my books to make ttaejji “paper slaps”, play with them, and then leave them behind. Realizing this was unsustainable, I found a small pot, smaller than a kimchi pot, dug a hole under the tent, buried the pot, and put my books and food for the next morning inside. Then, I covered it with plywood, a straw mat, and a blanket. After that, my books were no longer torn, and my hotteok did not disappear.

During exam periods, I couldn’t even sell pens, which was my only means of sustenance. at such times, I would visit neighborhoods like Pyo-dong, Goin-dong, Gongjeong-dong, Naesu-dong, and Sajik-dong, knock on the doors of traditional Korean houses, explain my situation when someone came out, and ask for food. At that time, people were generally kind-hearted, and most would open their doors and offer food. Among these, there was one house that always left its gate open. I later learned it was the residence of the late Chairman Chung Ju-yung. Whenever I visited, the lady of the house would personally come out, pitying and admiring me, not only feeding me but also putting pocket money in my hand.

Thus, I lived independently, enduring hardships and sleeping outdoors, yet always prioritizing my studies, even sometimes obtaining meals from others’ homes. Through this, I mastered the knowledge and philosophies accumulated by humanity, comprehension the essence of human society’s politics, economy, history, science, and literature. All of this was to help me apprehend the human world and culture, and to use that comprehension as a means to realize my aspirations in the world.

9. Hardship as a Catalyst for Growth

Hardship is wealth. I tell people that experiencing hardship, making mistakes, and failing in life are assets. An old saying goes, “One should buy hardship when young.” Hardship and failure are the best teachers, providing enlightenment, fostering growth, and guiding one to become a mature person. Only by experiencing hardship oneself can one apprehend those in difficult circumstances, and when achieving success, one can genuinely desire to help those who have not.

Failure and mistakes can make a person humble and magnanimous. One can develop a deep comprehension, avoiding hasty judgments and criticisms of others who make mistakes or fail. From being raised without parents, my early life was a continuous series of hardships and trials. However, I have never once resented or blamed anyone for the hardships or difficulties I experienced. I always looked towards my mother’s grave with a positive and benevolent heart, striving forward, and never lost my smile amidst any trial.

Strangely, whenever I faced difficult situations, I often met people who showed me warm love. That is why, even now, many reasons for living with gratitude reside in my heart. My poor and difficult childhood made me care for those who live hard lives and became the driving force for me to do something for them. Later, when I acquired a large sum of money, I spent it all over ten years operating several orphanages and helping 15,000 orphans because of that childhood.

As industrialization intensified, I thought about the poor, as the gap between rich and poor widened, and I devised ways to solve this and enable ordinary people to live well. This was the plan to save the budget and provide 500,000 to 1.5 million won to all citizens above a certain age. Consequently, the path I have walked, enduring unspeakable hardships and trials, not only helped me set the correct direction for fulfilling my future mission but also served as a solid foundation for conceiving concrete policies and striving for their realization, and I believe it will continue to do so.

10. Youth Employment and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Youth employment and small and medium-sized enterprises. My life in Seoul was also a period when I gained experience working in self-employed businesses and companies, and came to apprehend that world. Although it has improved significantly now, working conditions in factories and manufacturing companies were extremely poor back then. The gold ring factory where I worked while staying at the church had an extremely dangerous environment. Due to concerns about theft of expensive parts, all windows were closed, making the air inside the factory incredibly polluted. The potassium cyanide fumes emitted during the metal melting process were toxic substances, and working in such polluted air while handling water for polishing inevitably deteriorated my health.

At that time, most small and medium-sized enterprises had poor working environments. Having worked in such adverse conditions, I resolved that when our country’s situation improved, I would strive to improve working environments in companies so that people could work while maintaining their health.

Meanwhile, in our country today, countless young people are unemployed because there are no jobs. In fact, it is more accurate to say that there are no desired jobs. This is because small and medium-sized enterprises are constantly opening and closing, and they are desperate for workers. So why do young people not want to work in small and medium-sized enterprises, even when there are jobs available, and remain unemployed? Some criticize young people, saying it is because they have not experienced hardship. considering the past, this is not entirely wrong, but it is a cold remark that comes from failing to apprehend young people as if they were one’s own children.

If you consider that young person as your own child who has overcome the hellish college entrance exams and pursued higher education, you cannot easily make such harsh remarks. If it were my child, I could apprehend them dedicating years to civil service exams, and if they failed dozens of times but still applied for a large corporation, I couldn’t tell them to stop and settle for something else. Instead, I would hope they get into a good place, even if it takes time, and support my child’s studies. Therefore, the issue of youth employment should not be approached with cold logic and rationality alone. Instead, it requires seeking solutions with a warm perspective, wishing for the well-being of young people as if they were our own children.

Then, we need to consider why young people prefer large corporations over the many job opportunities in small and medium-sized enterprises. First, the wage gap is too large. Even with similar education and qualifications, friends who join large corporations receive high salaries and various welfare benefits, while they themselves are reluctant to join small and medium-sized enterprises with lower pay and fewer benefits, as their pride does not allow it. Moreover, small and medium-sized enterprises have lower brand image and recognition compared to large corporations. In short, working for a small or medium-sized enterprise is not prestigious. They feel intimidated when they see peers working for large corporations, and in the case of men, women do not prefer men working for small or medium-sized enterprises, leading to psychological pressure when seeking a marriage partner. Even if the present is difficult, there should be future prospects, but they feel that is unlikely. For these reasons, even if there are many job openings in small and medium-sized enterprises, young people are reluctant to commit.

Policymakers aiming to solve youth unemployment and support employment must accurately apprehend these realities of young people and devise countermeasures. To encourage young people to join small and medium-sized enterprises, they must be provided with satisfactory benefits and guaranteed future prospects. Immediate monthly salary is important, but if there is hope for a guaranteed future while working there, not only hesitant young people but also those who previously wouldn’t even consider small and medium-sized enterprises can be attracted.

I approach the issues of small and medium-sized enterprises and young people with a warm perspective, considering their situations. To alleviate the labor shortage in small and medium-sized enterprises and promote youth employment in them, I believe the following measures are effective: The state should directly provide about 1 million won per month for several years to young people who join small and medium-sized enterprises. If they work there for another two to three years, and then dream of starting their own business, they should be supported with about 300 million won in startup capital, unsecured, unguaranteed, and interest-free.

If about 1 million won per month is provided for several years, the wage gap between large and small/medium enterprises will significantly narrow. After the period of state support, although government subsidies will cease, there will have been wage increases, and the hope of receiving startup capital after working for another two to three years will likely make them quite willing to continue working. some will choose not to resign and continue working, reaching a seniority level where they can hold managerial positions within the company. This would be a sufficient condition to attract young people to small and medium-sized enterprises. If such measures are implemented, not only will the youth unemployment problem be solved, but the labor shortage in small and medium-sized enterprises will also be significantly alleviated.

From the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises, in cases that do not require high-level technology or expertise, it is more advantageous for the company to have a continuous influx of new talent and a turnover of personnel, with workers staying for about four to five years before leaving.

The dream of entrepreneurship holds significant meaning for young people. While immediate financial gain is important, if they can also harbor the hope of pursuing greater dreams while working there, they can use employment in a small or medium-sized enterprise as a stepping stone in life. Compared to joining a large corporation, while the initial entry might be good, stress gradually builds up, and one eventually has to retire at an older age. However, if one wishes to start a business after retirement, one can only receive startup loans if there is a viable business idea. In the case of large corporations, there are no advantages in terms of startup support. One must secure startup capital entirely on one’s own.

However, according to my plan, individuals who have worked for a small or medium-sized enterprise for a certain period can receive up to 300 million won in startup capital, unsecured, unguaranteed, and interest-free. Therefore, even if the salary is slightly less than at a large corporation, there is a guarantee of being able to pursue one’s desired work in the future. There would be no reason to avoid small and medium-sized enterprises due to low pay, poor working conditions, or a perceived lack of prestige and damaged pride. I believe that achieving both the goal of three years of employment and solving the labor shortage in small and medium-sized enterprises is possible through a plan like mine, approached with a warm heart of love.

11. The Unexpected Turn: Becoming a Foster Son to Lee Byung-chul

“Would you not help me if I were lying on the ground?”My life, a continuous series of pain and trials, changed completely, and too abruptly, from my third year of high school. I believe it is difficult to apprehend such a transformation from a human perspective. It was a dramatic ascent, a complete reversal of life’s conditions. By meeting the late Chairman Lee Byung-chul, the founder of Samsung, and becoming his foster son, I no longer had to endure the arduous life of balancing study and work. Furthermore, I learned corporate management from the chairman of a top enterprise and even became a confidential policy advisor to President Park chung hee, learning national governance.

I believe that when I introduced these events in my book, not a few people disbelieved them, and the situation remains the same today. This is because, logically, it is a miraculous event that is almost impossible to happen.

One day, as I slept in the bitter cold, something cold kept falling on my face. I opened my eyes. My protective tent was gone, and I was lying directly in the blizzard, being hit by snow. It seemed the tent had been blown away by the severe blizzard. In the middle of the night, with the blizzard making it difficult to open my eyes, I wandered around looking for the tent. I slipped on a steep hill and tumbled down behind the outhouse of a shantytown below. Without time to react, my right leg broke. Instead of a month in the hospital, I lay motionless in the tent, eating snow from the mountain, waiting for my leg to heal.

I lay there and envisioned my future. A wandering monk in my childhood had told me I would become a leader who would guide the world, and my father had also given me my name with the expectation that I would become a leader who would bring peace to the world. From that day on, I knew who I was and why I was enduring such hardships. I believed I had to prepare to fulfill that mission and diligently studied the world’s knowledge, philosophies, and religions. Even when my friends smoked, I never once smoked, nor did I ever touch alcohol. I always looked at the soil from my mother’s grave, strengthened my resolve, concentrated on my studies, and was filled with a sense of mission to achieve my dream.

I had to live and earn tuition, so I worked during the day and studied at school when I was enrolled, not wasting even a moment in between, reading books. All the world’s religions, philosophies, ideologies, politics, economics, and even world magazines were being stored in my mind. Once I saw something, it was directly input into my brain, automatically analyzed, integrated with previous knowledge, and stored. Even now, more than 50 years later, I remember almost all the Chinese character books I studied since elementary school, the contents of Buddhist and Christian scriptures, and the political and economic theories I learned in school and sometimes through self-study. I also remember almost all the countless poems the young woman read to me and the old songs played on the bus.

A month later, when my leg bone had mended and I could move, I went down to the village. There was a house in the shantytown that made and sold indoor slippers for kitchens. The owner of the house saw me, thin and hollow-eyed, coming down the mountain, and offered me ten pairs of slippers, telling me to sell them and go back to school. I thanked him, took them, put them in my schoolbag, and looked for a neighborhood where indoor slippers would be worn, eventually going to Jangchung-dong.

There, I sat in front of a large gate, reading a book and waiting for the gate to open. At some point, I looked inside the gate and saw an unfamiliar luxury car parked there. A man who seemed to be a driver stood with his back to me, holding open the car door. Inside the car, a woman was sitting, changing her shoes, and another man, who appeared to be in his mid-forties, was looking towards the gate where I was. I took out a slipper from my schoolbag, quickly took off my hat, and ran towards the adult walking towards me, showing him the slipper and saying, “I am a high school student, and I have to sell all these slippers to go to school. Please give me some time to study. I will never forget your kindness.”

Then, the adult looked at my face intently, took my hand, and said, “Let’s go inside and talk for a moment.” He then told the woman who was changing her shoes, “Honey, let’s cancel our outing today and go inside.” He canceled his outing and almost dragged me into the room. He called the housekeepers and told them to set the table. I didn’t know it then, but that person was the late Chairman Lee Byung-chul, the founder of Samsung, Korea’s top conglomerate, and the woman changing her shoes was his wife.

When the table was set, he thoughtfully told me to eat the fried egg first, as eating rice suddenly might choke me, and watched me eat. After I finished eating, he asked my name, where I lived, and with whom. I told him I lived alone, selling things during the day and attending night high school at night. After hearing my story, he asked me to become his foster son. I was flustered by the unexpected offer and expressed my reluctance.

“My parents.. passed away, and although I live alone now, I always carry my parents in my heart, and I believe I must continue to live that way. Therefore, becoming someone else’s foster son is difficult.” He persuaded me, saying I didn’t have to change my surname and could just come and live in his house as his foster son. He also said he would buy all my shoes and gave me 2,000 won, the price of ten pairs of slippers, telling me to think about it for a while longer.

When I did not change my mind for over an hour, he asked me, “If I were lying on the ground, would you not help me?” At those words, my head bowed. “Very well. Then, I will keep my surname and become your foster son.” Thus, without looking back, I transformed from a poor student to the foster son of Korea’s top tycoon. This miraculous event happened when I was 19 years old, in my third year of high school. My leg was broken, I had self-cast it, endured for about a month eating snow on the cold mountainside, and when I was able to move, I went to sell slippers, which I had received with kindness from a villager, as a commoner.

I tried to return the 2,000 won I received for the slippers, saying, “Now that I am your foster son, I don’t need the money. Please take it back.” He initially refused, saying, “You need it” but eventually accepted it due to my persistence. Then, he called his driver and told him to go with me to my place and bring my belongings. I said I could bring them myself on the bus, but this time he was adamant, so I eventually went with the driver in the car to pack my things. He sent the driver with me out of concern that I might not return if I went alone.

From that day on, I had many conversations with my foster father, the chairman, whenever he had time. I offered many insights and solutions to problems, based on my studies of Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity, Donghak “Eastern Learning”, and Eastern philosophies such as the I Ching, astronomy, geomancy, and physiognomy, which I had a natural talent for. The chairman listened very intently to my words. He also asked about personnel and management of the group, and I sincerely shared my thoughts.

I suggested that if workers and managers frequently hold worker meetings to lead the company together, and if the company treats its workers appropriately, fostering loyalty and a sense of ownership, the company can develop further without conflict. I also advised on twelve important considerations when hiring new employees and the promotion of the semiconductor business as a promising future industry. The chairman trusted my words and applied them, achieving excellent results, and I gained even greater trust from my foster father.

To foster world-class companies and for Korea to develop, it must first be economically prosperous. In a country like ours, which is different from others, talent education and advanced technology are crucial for economic development. And above all, businesses, one of the important actors in the economy, must thrive. I diligently served my foster father, Chairman Lee Byung-chul, and gradually became involved in corporate management. I believed that for a company to succeed, the management capabilities and mindset of the manager are important, but the key is for managers and workers to harmonize and work together for the company’s success.

Therefore, I thought it would be better to use the term “worker” “근로자”, which has a more elevated feel, instead of “laborer” “노동자”, a term with extreme connotations originating from communism, and to lower the status of “manager” “경영자” to “administrator” “관리자” to reduce the perceived gap between them. I also believed it was important to treat workers well, so they would develop a sense of community and ownership, comprehension that if the company prospers, they too will prosper. Furthermore, I thought it was necessary for these workers and administrators to frequently hold meetings as common owners to discuss company matters and explore ways to develop the company.

These ideas of mine remain unchanged today as a way to develop our nation’s economy by advancing its businesses. I disagree with the argument, made by some, that labor unions are absolutely necessary in companies. Labor unions are a historical product born from the dark shadows of the Industrial Revolution. If those dark shadows are eliminated, there is no need for labor unions. Labor-management conflict consumes much energy and time, serving only as an impediment to corporate development. Even without labor unions, workers can work in sufficiently good environments and live well without any economic difficulties.

By forming a corporate family council with worker representatives and management, and unifying the dichotomy of “worker” and “manager” into “corporate family” unnecessary labor-management conflicts can be completely eliminated.

12. The Essence of Effective Governance

In Korea, due to a flawed education system, academic background itself is sometimes an object of awe and respect. As a result, politicians often flaunt their academic credentials. They boast about studying at a domestic university or abroad. But is academic background truly an important qualification for high-ranking officials and politicians who must care for people’s lives and solve political and economic challenges in difficult times? Wouldn’t a practical expert, who has personally experienced the lives of the common people in difficult times and faced the challenges of corporate management, be a more suitable leader to formulate and implement policies? it is true that someone with some education has an advantage over someone without. However, someone who has only studied at a desk without any field experience in the overall situation will inevitably have limitations in creating laws or making and implementing important policies.

Real-world politics is not possible with political convictions and plausible political and economic theories put forth by foreign scholars alone. It requires field experience and an comprehension of the field. The economic realities of the people affected by policies can also be learned in the field. A lack of practical sense leads to errors in policy formulation and, consequently, misgovernance. Therefore, those who formulate policies must not only be experts but also listen to the diverse voices of businesses and citizens who are the targets of the policies, and they must personally visit the field.

When making policy decisions, one must not lean to one side. While the rich-poor gap must be addressed, it is problematic to implement drastic or coercive policies that treat the wealthy as criminals. If the minimum wage is raised to increase workers’ income, the employment burden on small and medium-sized businesses and self-employed individuals increases, ultimately leading to worker layoffs and higher unemployment. Policies that are solely focused on regulation of businesses not only stifle their international activities but also dampen economic vitality. There is also a risk of businesses moving overseas. One should not only favor labor unions, nor should one only consider the employers’ perspective.

Although the government has introduced various regulatory policies to stabilize housing prices, they have ultimately led to results completely opposite to the intended goals. Formulating and implementing policies is a process of solving such difficult and complex problems, and it is not easy to implement effective policies based solely on theoretical knowledge. It cannot be achieved by academic background alone. Rather, practical sense, insight to grasp the whole picture, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities, including creativity, are more important.

Recently, with the passing of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, the issue of Samsung’s inheritance tax became a hot topic. An astronomical amount of approximately 11 trillion won in inheritance tax was imposed. There have been movements in various places to “save Samsung” and abolish the inheritance tax. This is due to concerns that the largest shareholder might change due to the inheritance tax, and Korea’s representative company could fall into foreign hands. Many citizens responded and participated in the movement to abolish the inheritance tax.

However, a considerable number of people also hold negative sentiments towards Samsung. They argue that the inheritance tax should be collected to keep Samsung in check and prevent Korea from becoming a “Samsung Republic” or express dislike for hereditary conglomerates. Some even suggest that breaking up Samsung into many smaller companies would benefit the country in terms of balanced development. I apprehend these sentiments of the public. I believe they are expressed because citizens suffer from relative deprivation amidst extreme wealth disparity.

However, such thinking is very concerning. Because the inheritance tax has been left unchecked, there are few old companies in Korea. This is because businesses either closed down or were sold to overseas private equity funds and moved abroad. Unidus, Three Seven, and Woongjin all met such a fate. Korea’s inheritance tax rate is a maximum of 50%, with an additional 20% surcharge applied to the largest shareholder. In Japan, although the inheritance tax rate is high, if a child inherits the family business, the inheritance tax is exempted, so there are many old companies that have maintained their original business. When IKEA, a multinational corporation, tried to avoid inheritance tax by having its founder’s grandson take over, the inheritance tax was immediately abolished.

If a company moves its headquarters overseas, the taxes that would have come into the country go to the country where the headquarters is located. This is a considerable loss for the nation. Samsung accounts for a significant portion of domestic tax revenue. Samsung grew by prioritizing the domestic market in its early and middle stages, but by developing the semiconductor industry and focusing on exports, it became a global company that earns dollars overseas, playing a dedicated role in the national economy. The proportion of money earned overseas through exports is much higher than that earned domestically. It earns money from various parts of the world and pays taxes in Korea.

The Samsung brand is known worldwide as a representative brand of the Republic of Korea. Samsung elevates our national prestige and image. It is natural that the national economic scale grows and tax revenues increase. The taxes paid by Samsung may be helping someone’s family and empowering someone in need. Building a systematic enterprise is not something that happens overnight, nor is it an easy task. Many countries provide enormous support to foster their companies into global enterprises. From a national perspective, having global enterprises brings various benefits.

Some argue that companies should be led by professional managers, and that hereditary management is not good, but I find it difficult to agree with that view. Children who inherit management rights from their parents can work with a much stronger sense of mission, responsibility, and ownership than professional managers. Professional managers, being salaried employees, inevitably have a weaker sense of ownership. There is no need to feel aversion to the concept of “heredity.” Frankly, it is human nature to want to pass on to one’s descendants a business, no matter how small, that one has diligently built through hard work. Disregarding human emotions, whether the scale is large or small, is not a desirable attitude.

We must cultivate a broad mind that can applaud the success of others. It is the way of the world that when one works with such a mindset, one’s own endeavors also prosper. The fact that Samsung, a company that makes a significant contribution to national economic development, is facing a crisis due to astronomical inheritance tax, must be considered coolly by the national economy. We must not make the mistake of being penny-wise and pound-foolish. We must not forget that by coveting 10 trillion won in inheritance tax, we could lose Samsung, a global company, to another country. I believe that the inheritance tax, which risks our indigenous companies being encroached upon by foreign capital and losing ownership, should be abolished as soon as possible.

13. The Encounter with President Park chung hee

The serene and luminous eyes: The meeting with President Park chung hee. The evening of May 15, 1969. This day remains vividly in my memory, unforgettable even now. This is because it was the first time I met a national leader with my foster father, Chairman Lee Byung-chul. At the same time, everything I had studied over the years began to be applied to national governance, and it was the day my ideology, philosophy, and convictions took flight into the world.

As my foster father and I entered the hall, President Park chung hee walked a few steps out of the room to greet us. After exchanging greetings, my foster father introduced me, explaining how he met me, adopted me as his foster son, and how I had greatly assisted his corporate management with my advice.

“The day I first met this child, my wife and I were about to go out. The driver had brought the car, and we were just about to get in. Suddenly, this child rushed through the open gate. He said he was a university student and had to sell all his shoes to go to school, and he desperately asked for some time to study. He said, ‘I will definitely repay your kindness.’ At that moment, I was completely captivated by his eyes. I had never seen such serene and luminous eyes in my life. It was as if I was overwhelmed by an irresistible force.”My foster father continued, “Moreover, as I conversed with him, I found that this child, who had mastered Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity, and the I Ching, had no limitations. He had a profound comprehension of the principles of astronomy, geography, and the harmony of heaven and earth, and his excellent foresight into the future had never been wrong. You could say he is the best in the country regarding domestic and international affairs. This child, who voluntarily set out alone, is like a person driving on asphalt..”

“Despite having experienced much hardship from a young age, he has no dark shadows and appears serene, as if he has comprehended all of life. I don’t know how strong my heart becomes whenever I see him. But recently, seeing your anguish, I thought I should introduce him to you.” The President, who had been nodding and looking surprised at my foster father’s words, asked, “Did you say this child also deciphers international affairs well?” ” Your Excellency. Please ask this child directly about the geopolitical situation around Korea.”

14. Becoming a Policy Advisor to the President

I became a policy advisor to the President. The President began to speak to me. “Listening to Chairman Lee, I find him trustworthy. I am currently facing many domestic and international difficulties. The opposition party and the United States are trying to undermine me by advocating for human rights. Even when I try to work wholeheartedly for our impoverished people, too many people try to obstruct me. Sometimes I worry about how long I can continue to set goals and work. for the sake of the nation, I decided to have a frank conversation with you and your foster father today.

“Freeing the people from poverty is the guarantee of human rights and the first step towards democracy. But when I see the opposition party’s argument that abandoning the economy and simply following American-style democracy is the best, I truly worry about the nation’s future. If the nation’s economy is strengthened through Korean-style democracy, a middle class will emerge, and with a large middle class, the level of education will rise, and democracy will naturally be achieved. American democracy cannot be learned merely through words, and it cannot be obtained without economic growth, can it? Opposition politicians may clamor for Western-style democracy, but that is merely a pretext to seize power. Do they think they can implement Western-style democracy if they gain power? Ultimately, corruption and malfeasance will ruin the nation. We need Korean-style democracy. My conviction is ‘economy first, then democracy.’ Mr. Huh, what do you think of my idea?”

“Your Excellency, with your countless experiences of poverty, organizational management, and practical experience in human relations, you are a teacher to me. However, I will offer a few words from my innate wisdom. Even if Your Excellency is criticized as a dictator today, you must strongly pursue economic development to eradicate poverty from this land, increase gross national product, and raise the level of education. There is a saying, ‘천하 뒤 9명, 엉 국 만세 명’ “If you seek profit, do business that benefits all; if you seek fame, seek a name that lasts for ten thousand generations”. Even if you are criticized by both the ruling and opposition parties right now, if it is a matter that brings great benefit to all our impoverished people, then gladly endure the criticism. One day, poverty will be overcome, and all citizens will live well. Even if you are called a dictator, you will gain trust, and your name will last for ten thousand generations.”

I continued, “Do not be disheartened in the slightest by internal and external conflicts. Your Excellency is already destined to ride on the back of a dragon. Having mounted the dragon, which represents the high ideal of saving the people from poverty, if you dismount, you will die. It is the destiny of a rider not to give up before the dragon reaches its destination.”

Beginning with this conversation, at the young age of 20, I had many discussions with the nation’s top leader on domestic and international issues. The President frequently summoned me for consultations, and I diligently assisted him. In other words, I was a confidential policy advisor who listened to President Park chung hee’s concerns and offered solutions from the shadows. This continued until President Park chung hee’s death. During that time, I was instrumental in planning and implementing the Saemaul Undong “New Community Movement”, as well as over 100 other policies, including the broadcasting and communication education system and the acquisition of a Korean missile base in the Soviet Union. I played a leading role in Korea’s rapid economic growth and the dramatic transformation of rural areas.

Regarding my role as President Park chung hee’s confidential policy advisor, there are records of testimonies from Cha Ji-chul, who was the Senior Presidential Secretary for Security at the time, and from the late lawyer Yong Tae-young in court. Lawyer Yong Tae-young is a famous lawyer who sued the state and made Buddha’s Birthday a public holiday. At that time, his house was next to the Blue House, and its structure extended over the Blue House wall, so he had to commute through the Blue House checkpoint. Cha Ji-chul, then Chief of Presidential Security, disliked this and tried to demolish his house, citing Blue House security issues. President Park chung hee learned of this and instructed me to investigate whether Chief Cha Ji-chul had harassed lawyer Yong Tae-young, so I visited lawyer Yong Tae-young.

A considerable time after President Park chung hee’s death, I published my autobiography in 2000. It detailed my childhood, how I became the foster son of Chairman Lee Byung-chul, how I assisted his corporate management in various ways, and how, through his introduction, I became President Park chung hee’s confidential policy advisor, conversing with the President and recommending many policies that were implemented, including national secrets. This book caused a great sensation at the time.

However, recently, the contents of my autobiography were challenged in court regarding their authenticity. The question was, “How could you have served as President Park chung hee’s confidential policy advisor at such a young age?” At that time, Mrs. Yuk Young-soo voluntarily appeared in court and spoke about a young man who had come to the Blue House on an errand regarding her house. She testified, “That young man was Huh kyung young, and it seemed he had more of the President’s trust than Chief Secretary Cha Ji-chul.” This is the content of that very court testimony.

15. Attending the Presidential Inauguration Celebration

Attending the Presidential Inauguration Celebration. This is a story from much later, but there is something I want to clarify here regarding the court testimony. On January 16, 2001, as the then-president of the Democratic Republican Party, I received a call from the acting US Ambassador. I received a same-day visa and plane ticket and flew to the United States on January 17 via Korean Air. On January 18, I attended the Presidential Inauguration Dance Party in Washington, and on January 21, I also attended the inauguration ceremony.

The inauguration celebration parties were held at three locations. Among them, the candlelight dinner at Union Station was an exclusive party, inviting only 250 famous people from around the world. I was the only Korean politician invited. President and Mrs. Bush and Vice President and Mrs. Cheney also attended. Even then, and certainly now, some of our citizens might find this hard to believe. Most Koreans are unaware that I served as President Park chung hee’s confidential policy advisor, but US intelligence agencies were already well aware of this fact and also knew that I possessed an extraordinary intellect.

At that time, President Bush’s office asked for my opinion on how to deal with North Korea’s nuclear program. I advised that the CVID “Complete, Verifiable, Irreversible Dismantlement” approach the US intended to use would be difficult for North Korea to accept, and that the ID “Irreversible Dismantlement” approach would yield results. CVID stands for ‘Complete, Verifiable, Irreversible Dismantlement,’ meaning the US directly removes North Korea’s nuclear weapons completely, verifiably, and irreversibly. FVID stands for ‘Fully, Verifiable, Irreversible Dismantlement,’ meaning North Korea directly dismantles its nuclear weapons fully, verifiably, and irreversibly.

Thus, my attendance at the Bush party was an undeniable fact. However, in court, the prosecution argued that my claim of attending President George W. Bush’s inauguration celebration party was a lie. The gist of the prosecution’s indictment was that I had never been invited by Bush and had never attended the party. They claimed that the photo of Bush and me standing side-by-side, submitted as evidence by our side, was a composite. the photo with Bush was an edited photo. However, it was not edited by me, but by a Korean broadcasting company in the US to broadcast the fact that I had attended President Bush’s inauguration celebration party on the first day.

Despite submitting many other photos and pieces of evidence that could confirm my attendance, only one edited photo was accepted as evidence, placing me in a situation where I would be branded a notorious braggart and liar. At that time, I was planning to run for the National Assembly in Jongno. There was even a term “Huh kyung young Syndrome” indicating my peak popularity. When I was arrested, Baek Seong-hak, a long-time friend of Bush and chairman of Youngan Hat Co., Ltd. and Gyeongin Broadcasting, testified on my behalf. Chairman Baek Seong-hak was the person who sat next to me on the plane when I flew to the US after being invited by Bush, and he personally witnessed my attendance at the celebration party. Chairman Baek Seong-hak’s testimony is recorded in the August 2008 issue of Shindonga and in court records. I sincerely thank those who testified on my behalf in court at that time, using this platform.

16. The Genesis of the Saemaul Undong

Speaking of the Saemaul Undong. I believe few would deny that the Saemaul Undong “New Community Movement” dramatically transformed Korea’s rural areas and was a driving force in the nation’s development. It was undoubtedly one of the great achievements of the late President Park chung hee, brought about by his determination and drive. However, few people know that I was the first to propose the idea for this Saemaul Undong.

I saw a photograph of the Gyeongbu Expressway after its completion, a smoothly paved highway. However, the houses in the surrounding villages appeared old and shabby, which caught my eye. A thought suddenly struck me: it would be wonderful to initiate a movement to revitalize the villages. after several days of contemplation, I devised a plan. And I personally proposed my idea to the President. He slapped his knee, exclaiming, “How did you come up with such an idea?” and told me to research it. I replied that I already had something in mind.

“It’s a movement where villages compete with each other, and I’ve named it ‘Shincheonji’ “New Heaven and Earth” or ‘Shin Maeul Undong’ “New Village Movement”.” “Saemaul Undong, that’s a good name. what kind of movement is the Saemaul Undong?” “It’s a movement to gather national energy. Currently, there’s the 4-H movement for Head, Hands, Heart, and Health, but that’s like a gambling movement. Too many people in rural areas are just gambling and idling. The Saemaul Shincheon Movement is a movement to gather the strength of our people to change villages and change the country.”

“Methodologically, the people provide labor, and the state provides materials free of charge, making villages compete with each other. Welfare is like the Cheollima Movement, but it lacks competition and thus fails. A dead fish floats downstream with the current, but a living fish swims upstream. Just as a living fish constantly wags its tail and leaps to a better environment, we must motivate our people to change old houses into new ones, revitalize the village environment, and transform the old mindset of idleness and gambling into a new spirit. Therefore, I have set self-reliance, diligence, and cooperation as the three core spirits of the Saemaul Undong.”

“The three core spirits contain six characters for ‘work’ “일”, which is also the character for ‘power’ “힘 역”, and one character for ‘ten’ “십자가”. This means working diligently for six days and resting for one. The six characters for ‘power’ assert the energy and strength of the Saemaul spirit.” I continued, “Growth-oriented, welfare-oriented, two-sided, and totalitarianism are the four ideologies of the Saemaul Undong. And building a good place to live, a rewarding workplace, a healthy society, and a lovely country are the four goals. Also, the Saemaul Undong must temporarily hide the aspects that people dislike, such as ‘도 “Way”‘ and ‘민 “民”‘, and prioritize industrialization to succeed.”

The President, unable to hide his joy, said, “That’s truly excellent! But where did you get the idea for the name?” “There are many sources. My experience as a farmhand in my youth, Western pragmatism, Adam Smith’s theory of national wealth, Marx’s theory of capital, and the principle of neutrality in Christianity—I drew from the principles of both East and West. And our traditional philosophies, such as the doctrine of the mean in Confucianism, the Middle Way in Buddhism, and the philosophy of harmony in Taoism, symbolize the village and heaven. I blended Eastern and Western concepts.”

Thus, in a short time, my idea was adopted as a national policy. The Saemaul Undong began. When villagers provided labor, the state provided cement for free, igniting fierce competition among villages. Villages that did not work received no cement, so everyone enthusiastically participated in the movement. From repairing house roofs, roads, and rivers to livestock feed, the Saemaul Undong awakened the dormant rural areas and the national spirit, transforming themselves and their environment.

As our Saemaul Undong achieved great success, China even imitated our movement by establishing ‘도공양산’ “hiding communism and fostering industry” and ‘독왕양회’ “hiding communism and fostering capitalism”, and from there, the global village movement began to spread worldwide. Since then, the Saemaul Undong has not only been studied by developing countries around the world, but it has also been evaluated by the UN and the World Bank as an ideal model for poverty eradication. I apprehend that requests for sharing Saemaul Undong experiences continue to come from developing countries around the world even today.

This concludes Chapter 3. Tomorrow, we will cover Chapter 4, “Beyond Chaos and Despair.” that’s all for today. This is not a live broadcast; I tried to do it once before, but the audio was cut off, so I’m doing it again. It takes about five or six hours to record and upload this, so I tried to do it in one go, but today I had to do it twice. I saw some people joined the live broadcast earlier; thank you very much. I will see you every day. I hope you found your personal time beneficial today. You all worked hard, and I wish you a good time.

Vocabulary

• 난세의 영웅: Hero of a Troubled Era
• 고통으로 단련된 시기: A Period Forged in Suffering
• 대봉: Great Phoenix “symbolizing rebirth and prosperity”
• 담금질: Tempering “a process of strengthening through hardship”
• 구사일생: Narrow Escape from Death “literally, “nine deaths, one life””
• 복막염: Peritonitis “inflammation of the peritoneum”
• 주경야독: Study by Day and Night “diligence in learning”
• 사자성어: Four-Character Idiom “a type of proverb in East Asian languages”
• 백년대계: A Plan for a Hundred Years “a long-term vision”
• 무임승차: Fare Evasion “riding without paying”
• 망부석: Mangbuseok “a stone figure of a woman waiting for her husband, symbolizing eternal waiting”
• 중도 사상: Middle Way “Buddhist philosophy”
• 천부적인 지혜: Innate Wisdom “heaven-given wisdom”
• 비선 정책 보좌역: Confidential Policy Advisor “an unofficial, trusted advisor”
• 새마을 운동: Saemaul Undong “New Community Movement, a rural development program in Korea”
• 소탐대실: Penny-wise and Pound-foolish “losing a great deal by being greedy for a small gain”

난세 Ch.4 The Visionary Politics of Huh Kyung-young Beyond Chaos and Despair

The Hero of Chaos, Huh kyung young: Beyond Confusion and Despair

Tags: “Democracy, Theocracy, Political Reform, Economic Justice, Social Issues, National Crisis, Leadership”

1. The Erosion of Democracy and the Rise of Privilege

The current state of the world is marked by rampant injustice, leading to the disappearance of true democracy. The actual power within nations has been seized by a privileged class, leaving the general populace with merely the faded banner of being “the owners.” Faced with the vast chasm of wealth inequality, talented individuals are forced to abandon their aspirations, and the very fabric of society is as precarious as a horn cast into the wind. A revolutionary transformation based on these fundamental issues is the only viable path forward.

Many believe that democracy is the supreme political system, a notion rooted in historical struggles such as the French and American Revolutions, which overthrew systems dominated by kings and aristocrats. These movements established fundamental rights like liberty and equality, leading to the modern comprehension that all citizens are masters of their nation, possessing suffrage and enjoying freedoms. Korea’s modern history is also apprehended as a journey of achieving democracy against authoritarian rule. Scholars often laud the development of democracy as humanity’s greatest achievement. Indeed, abolishing discrimination and affirming the equal rights to liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness for all individuals in a feudal, class-based society was profoundly significant.

However, I contend that contemporary democratic politics suffer from substantial flaws. My primary concern is to move beyond a superficial democracy, asserting that all citizens are indeed the true owners of the nation, and realizing this is paramount. My assertion that “the people are shareholders of the national corporation and thus have a right to dividends” is grounded in this principle of popular sovereignty, the very foundation of democracy. It aims to ensure that the people are the actual, not merely nominal, owners of the nation.

Nevertheless, in the realm of politics, democracy possesses a critical vulnerability: it can be manipulated by entrenched powers or subtly engineered by specific factions, transforming what appears to be a democratic system into a political structure serving only a select few.

2. Historical Precedents: The Flaws of Ancient Athenian Democracy

Democracy is not a modern invention. It was practiced approximately 2,500 years ago in the Greek city-state of Athens. it was not as inclusive as today’s democracy, where all individuals, regardless of status or gender, possess equal rights. Athenian slaves, far outnumbering free citizens, were not considered citizens, and women lacked suffrage. Only about 20,000 male free citizens out of a population of roughly 100,000 held voting rights. Furthermore, it was a direct democracy, where free citizens gathered to make political decisions directly, rather than the indirect democracy of today, where elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the people.

However, ancient Athenian democracy had serious problems. To persuade others and implement one’s views, rhetorical skill was essential. This led to the rise of Sophists, who were skilled debaters and taught the art of winning arguments. Consequently, absolute values or truth became secondary; those who were adept at eloquent speech could achieve political success. This often resulted in ochlocracy, or mob rule, where citizens were swayed by the speeches of such individuals. This form of mob rule was essentially a politics of demagoguery.

This is why Socrates, who assertd the existence of universal truth, clashed with the Sophists, and his disciple Plato advocated for philosopher-kings. Socrates famously questioned whether a leader should be chosen by vote rather than by their wisdom, a stance that ultimately led to his death. Athens, where political decisions were swayed by the shallow rhetoric of power-hungry or self-interested individuals, eventually lost its central position among ancient Greek city-states after being defeated by Sparta in the Peloponnesian War. Thus, Athenian democracy, in one aspect, succumbed to the inevitable flaw of mob rule, which contributed to its downfall. Democracy was destroyed by its own methods.

3. Contemporary Democratic Challenges: Media Manipulation and Electoral Flaws

Is today’s democracy truly different from that of Athens? Certainly, it differs significantly in that it is an indirect democracy, where representatives are elected to govern, and women possess equal suffrage. However, does this mean our contemporary democracy is without problems? I believe that our current representative democracy is fraught with as many issues as ancient Athens’ direct democracy. Just as Athenian democracy suffered from external incitement and the unwise decisions of an unsophisticated populace, our modern exercise of suffrage also faces serious challenges.

In a representative democracy, citizens elect agents—presidents or national assembly members—to reflect their will in politics. However, I believe that parts of the electoral process are far from fair.

3.1. The Influence of Mass Media and Information Control

First, the influence of mass media on elections cannot be overlooked. Today, newspapers, television, and internet portals like Naver, Daum, and Google exert absolute influence by providing information to the public. What they report, from what perspective, and which news stories internet portals choose to highlight, profoundly shapes public opinion and interest. Most people tend to believe what is presented by the media without question. if these media outlets maintained objectivity and fairness, there would be no significant issue.

However, in reality, mass media are often controlled by powerful entities or specific factions. Internet portals can also prioritize certain articles based on the political leanings of their operators. This inevitably leads to serious problems, potentially creating manipulated public opinion. Media outlets can easily disseminate favorable information about candidates or parties with whom they have connections, while publishing malicious reports about others. Unfair and biased reporting can be rampant, directly influencing citizens’ choices.

Many media organizations in Korea exhibit such biased reporting. They inundate the public with an enormous volume of articles and broadcasts about specific candidates from particular parties, even before the official election period, creating the illusion that the media are their campaign workers. Meanwhile, the efforts of minor parties and independent candidates are either ignored or reported negatively, leaving media-reliant citizens unaware of their existence or only perceiving them negatively.

Media outlets also frequently engage in false and distorted reporting. For instance, I met with then-U.S. President Trump on May 5, 2018. Prior to this, I had visited the U.S. at the invitation of Cory Gardner, then a U.S. Senator from Colorado and Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy under the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, attending meetings with many Republican members. At that time, the U.S. was deeply disappointed with South Korea, and there was a growing sentiment to retaliate against North Korea’s nuclear and long-range missile provocations, regardless of South Korea’s stance. They had prepared fighter jets, submarines, and all necessary resources, and I was invited to offer my final thoughts on the North Korean issue.

My meeting with them was facilitated by Lim Cheon-geon, President of the Korea-U.S. Alliance Council. Concerned about the deteriorating Korea-U.S. alliance, some individuals recommended me as the person who could resolve the situation. Through President Lim’s introduction, I met with the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, and subsequently with the U.S. President. During these meetings, I strongly opposed bombing North Korea and advocated for a resolution that would appease North Korea in a manner it could accept.

The fact that I met President Trump is undeniable. Evidence can be found by searching “Huh kyung young Lim Cheon-geon” on YouTube. However, a Korean broadcasting station later aired a false and distorted report, claiming that a photo of President and Mrs. Trump and me was doctored, and that my meeting with President Trump was a lie. This was despite a reporter from that station visiting me days before the broadcast, asking various questions, and seeing the original photo. The broadcast deliberately showed a copied photo, portraying me as a liar.

Such false and distorted reporting by the media creates baseless public opinion, which, when related to candidates, severely impacts elections. This situation is no different from ancient Athenian mob rule; in fact, I believe it is more severe. While Athens saw ambitious individuals sway voters with eloquent but deceptive rhetoric, today, mass media with immense influence and reach intentionally manipulate public choice by promoting or disparaging specific candidates with biased perspectives. This is not unique to Korea; even so-called advanced democracies like the United States are not exempt.

Such media conduct constitutes a form of public incitement. The choices made by an incited public, even if they believe them to be free, are merely the result of manipulation. Their exercise of voting rights, while appearing to be a democratic process of sovereign action, is nothing more than stamping approval on the agenda of the instigators.

3.2. The Perils of Ochlocracy and the Need for Wise Leadership

Ochlocracy, or “democracy by the mob” implies governance by the masses. While some argue that collective intelligence leads to excellent choices, such instances are exceedingly rare. More often, it devolves into mob rule or foolish governance due to incitement or the naivety of the crowd. Thus, whether it is ancient Greek direct democracy or modern representative democracy, the limitations of governance by the masses are clear. Democracy can descend into mob rule, ruining the nation and causing the people to harm themselves.

Just as an airplane requires a pilot with exceptional skill, the political realm, as Socrates and Plato argued, needs a wise form of governance led by philosopher-kings—individuals who apprehend truth and goodness and govern for the benefit of both the nation and its people.

3.3. The Threat of Electoral Fraud

Another serious problem in democratic politics is the potential for electoral fraud. This refers to entrenched political powers attempting to influence elections or commit fraud through cunning schemes to solidify their power and interests. In the past, such fraud was relatively easy to expose, as established powers resorted to simple methods like distributing cash to voters or ballot box tampering. However, with the application of advanced technology in elections, the potential for sophisticated fraud has increased, making it difficult to detect even when it occurs.

While technology in elections offers the advantage of making vote counting and tabulation much easier, its use raises concerns about manipulation, making elections vulnerable to fraud. This is why allegations of electoral fraud persist with every election. Fraud can also occur through loopholes in the electoral system, such as early voting or absentee ballots. It is likely that no system can completely eliminate the suspicion of electoral fraud. The difficulty for political factions to resist the temptation of electoral fraud is an inherent weakness of democracy itself.

3.4. The Flaw of Majority Rule and National Division

The principle of majority rule, a cornerstone of democracy, also has its problems. If, for example, in a presidential election, candidate A wins against candidate B with 51% of the vote to 49%, the 49% of the population who do not support candidate A and their policies may harbor discontent throughout A’s term. If there are clear differences in political beliefs or policies between the two candidates, and these differences significantly influence the outcome, the problem can be very serious, potentially leading to severe national division and social instability. Political retaliation can also occur with every change of government, a phenomenon frequently observed in Korea.

Thus, whether through indirect democracy, where representatives are elected, or direct democracy, where citizens participate directly in political decisions, democracy is an imperfect system prone to problems.

4. The Illusion of Popular Sovereignty and the Need for Economic Justice

In today’s rapidly changing democracy, the basis for citizens to assert and demand their rights lies in the fundamental principle of popular sovereignty. Our constitution also explicitly states that the Republic of Korea is a democratic republic and that sovereignty resides with the people. However, we must question whether our citizens are truly treated as masters. In other words, I believe this is a dead letter, a mere formal provision, an empty shell.

It is naive to think that exercising one’s voting rights during elections constitutes being treated as a master. Some might argue that since the person I voted for governs on my behalf, it is as if I am governing myself, and therefore I am the master. However, I wonder how many citizens truly think this way when they vote. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, if such an exercise of rights is heavily influenced by entrenched powers, media, money, or incitement, it cannot be considered a genuine exercise of rights.

Being the owner of a nation does not merely mean exercising political rights. It means being able to enjoy all rights, including the right to survival, property, equality, claims, and liberty. Economic rights must also be included. This is not just about the right to engage in business or work. If the nation becomes prosperous, its citizens, as owners, should also become prosperous to be properly treated as masters. The right to equality in wealth, and the right for citizens to fairly and equitably share in the wealth generated by the nation, must be fulfilled.

However, in Korea today, while the nation has become wealthy, the majority of its citizens cannot be said to have become prosperous. A small number of people have become immensely wealthy, while the majority of citizens have fallen out of the middle class and are struggling to make ends meet. Given this situation, can we truly say that democracy, where the people are the owners of the nation, is being properly realized in Korea? Is it not rather a democratic nation only in name, an empty shell, while in essence it is a privileged aristocratic state ruled by clever and calculating individuals?

While our citizens are intoxicated with the achievement of having built democracy—the best political system in history—through noble struggles and sacrifices, citing historical events from Magna Carta to the French and American Revolutions, and closer to home, the April 19th Revolution and the June 1987 Democratic Uprising, has not the essence of democracy disappeared somewhere, leaving only an empty shell, a deceptive act of “hanging a sheep’s head and selling dog meat”?

5. The Proposal of Theocracy: A Politics of Benevolence

Towards a beneficial politics, I have long apprehended that this representative democracy is not a political system for the people. This is because representative democracy has too much potential to devolve into a tool used by a privileged few to solidify their vested interests by exploiting the people.

I propose theocracy as a political system to complement this imperfect democracy. Some might be surprised, asking what this means in a secular state, but I ask you to set aside any preconceptions. Please do not imagine theocracy as seen in countries like Iran, where religious leaders are believed to act as proxies for divine will, controlling elected presidents and wielding supreme power.

The theocracy I speak of is a politics of benevolence. Its purpose is to realize a world of beneficial coexistence and mutual prosperity based on love. Benevolence is the order of nature. Plants live by the law of survival of the fittest, and animals by the law of the jungle. We cannot view the survival competition or the law of the jungle among plants and animals as inherently bad. They must live this way, and only then can the ecosystem be maintained. For example, lions in the African savanna must prey on wildebeest calves to prevent their population from growing indefinitely and devastating the savanna. This is the order of nature, the principle of survival bestowed by heaven upon the animal and plant kingdoms. This natural law, gong-ri “benevolence/universal principle”, naturally exists in the human world as well.

However, humans are different from plants and animals. As is well known, humans are the masters of creation, possessing morality and ethics. Therefore, humans are given the law of coexistence and mutual prosperity, not survival competition or the law of the jungle. Humans are meant to live by pursuing coexistence and mutual prosperity. In other words, coexistence and mutual prosperity are the gong-ri of human society. When human life adheres to the principle of coexistence and mutual prosperity, it aligns with the order of nature. Realizing gong-ri is the will of heaven.

Yet, in today’s human world, this gong-ri has receded. Instead of the principle of coexistence and mutual prosperity, human society is dominated by the survival principles of plants and animals: survival competition and the law of the jungle. Furthermore, human society is plagued by endless greed, which animals do not possess, completely undermining the great principle of human survival bestowed by heaven, leading to the disappearance of gong-ri. The mindset of “I only need to live well” and the phenomenon of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer are prime examples of this.

Nothing in the universe exists by chance. The source of all things, the entity that controls and governs the vast universe, truly exists. The orderly movement of countless stars in this vast universe, maintaining a cosmos, cannot possibly be a coincidence. This source of all things, which governs the grand universe, is called “Heaven” or “Cosmic Center” or “God.”

It is inconceivable that Heaven would simply allow gong-ri to disappear from the human world and for humans to lose their true nature. If humanity cannot control itself, divine intervention is inevitable. However, Heaven cannot arbitrarily control humans, who possess free will. The Korean scripture, cheon-bu-gyeong(天符經), contains the phrase “Il Myoyeon Man Wang Malrae Yongbyeon Budong Bon” which means that the cosmic essence, the controller of the universe, manifests in countless places within the universe, changing its form endlessly, yet its fundamental nature remains the same. This principle has been ongoing for tens, hundreds of billions of eons.

The content of cheon-bu-gyeong(天符經) symbolically captures the true secrets of the universe. However, it is not easy for humans to apprehend this content, as humans are designed to think only in a three-dimensional way. Nevertheless, one can vaguely imagine that there is clearly a multi-dimensional system where the cosmic essence can simultaneously multiply into countless forms, become one, or remain at the cosmic center while existing in numerous places.

When the cosmic essence at the center of the universe comes to the human world, some imagine it will appear suddenly in a grand divine form, but this is not the case. With the purpose of transforming the human world, it comes in a human body that can interact with humans, subtly. This is called an incarnation. The incarnation of the essence is Huh. And the politics that this Huh conducts in the human world to realize Heaven’s will—a world of coexistence, mutual prosperity, and benevolence—is theocracy.

Unlike typical theocracies where a divine proxy governs, this is a direct governance by Huh, who is an incarnation of Heaven. It is not a governance by ordinary people easily swayed by material possessions, fame, or desires, but by Huh, who possesses the heart of a parent who might even use a stern rod when their child strays from the right path. This Huh leader cares for all citizens equally, implements policies that ensure a prosperous and free life, and creates a system where humanity can coexist and prosper, thereby realizing gong-ri. This is theocracy.

The realization of theocracy is an astonishing blessing, a singular event in human history, and a catalyst for the exponential advancement of human civilization. It is an immense fortune for humanity that cannot be overstated. If any citizen worries that I might become a fearsome ruler who lords over the people, that is a misconstrual of me and my intentions. I aim to be a leader who guides the people towards happiness and leads Korea and the world towards coexistence and mutual prosperity, not a ruler who dominates the people.

A leader is someone who shows the way and guides, not someone who oppresses people or acts arbitrarily. My statement about sending some politicians to “spiritual education” merely signifies holding them accountable for failing to govern properly for the people, instead exacerbating wealth inequality, neglecting livelihoods, and engaging in political strife, leaving citizens in suffering. It means correcting their mental state through education. This education involves attending my lectures and taking exams, and they can graduate whenever they demonstrate genuine change.

I have only the heart of a parent, wishing for all my children to thrive, and wanting all citizens to live well and happily. If some children are starving while others are well-fed but neglect their impoverished siblings, what parent’s heart would be at ease? My feelings are exactly like those of such a parent. As anyone who examines my proposals will see, I only wish to alleviate the suffering of the people and ensure that all citizens can live happily.

My fundamental belief is to ensure that all citizens can at least live without worrying about basic necessities, and it would be even better if they could achieve greater prosperity through their own efforts. My vision—to relieve the suffering of those burdened by debt, to ensure that those who have worked hard their entire lives to support their children and contribute to national development can enjoy a comfortable old age without financial worries, and to enable children struggling in the “entrance exam hell” to escape it, build friendships, develop their abilities, and unleash their creativity and talents—is only possible when based on genuine, parental love.

Furthermore, it is only with a warm, loving heart that one can conceive of policies such as the state actively assisting young people in finding employment, providing basic financial support until they are employed, sending gifts and cakes for birthdays, and condolences and funeral wreaths for family losses to comfort citizens and boost morale. It also requires a parental heart to envision promoting organic farming without pesticides and fertilizers to ensure healthy food and clean water on every table, thereby safeguarding public health.

For 30 years, I have been conceiving these solutions with a parental heart, and since then, I have been raising astronomical sums of money and spending it all to run in presidential and general elections, making my ideas known to the public. My various proposals, fundamentally rooted in love for the people, are ultimately aimed at establishing gong-ri in our nation.

Theocracy rectifies the shortcomings of democracy, ensuring that all citizens, not just a privileged few, become the owners of the nation, and realizing a fair, prosperous, free, and mutually beneficial society. This is possible because all citizens can share the nation’s wealth to some extent, becoming middle class, and can freely accumulate more wealth according to their abilities. It also enables the creation of an economic structure that fosters mutual prosperity and further economic development. Therefore, theocracy is not the abolition of democracy but a political system that perfects democracy through democracy itself.

I have named this theocracy’s economic aspect “Jongsanism” which can be described as an economic system that perfects capitalism. It does not abolish capitalism but eliminates the pitfalls of wealth inequality while maintaining and fully utilizing capitalism’s free market system, thereby transforming capitalism into a perfect economic system.

In contrast to mob rule, where the public can be swayed by the schemes of the cunning, leading themselves and the nation into hardship, theocracy is a system where a righteous and benevolent leader guides the nation towards the right path for the happiness of all citizens and the stability and development of the nation, with the people’s support, ensuring everyone is treated as a true owner. And Jongsanism eliminates the shortcomings of capitalism, making it a perfect system. This is the political and economic system I intend to implement in Korea and worldwide.

In essence, the beneficial politics I aim to implement, which can be seen as true democracy—where all citizens, instead of a superficial democracy, enjoy wealth equitably as owners of the nation and are guaranteed a free and happy life—is precisely what I call theocracy.

6. The Imperative for Political Revolution: Reforming the National Assembly

A political revolution is necessary. Members of the Korean National Assembly enjoy numerous privileges, which become strikingly evident when compared to their counterparts in other countries. While they claim to be servants of the people, working for the nation and its citizens, they undeniably benefit from various prerogatives. They have exclusive offices, receive official vehicles, and the operational costs for their offices and vehicle maintenance are all covered by the national treasury. Each National Assembly member can have up to nine aides, including a driver, and their salaries are also state-funded. In 2020, a National Assembly member’s annual income, including various allowances, exceeded 150 million won. This salary is reportedly paid in full even if they do not attend meetings or perform their duties.

National Assembly members also enjoy immunity from prosecution for any statements made in the Assembly and inviolability from arrest during parliamentary sessions without the Assembly’s consent, even if they commit a crime. Furthermore, their train and air travel fares are free, and they can use designated seats. They can even receive political donations, a privilege not extended to the President.

However, National Assembly members in advanced countries like Denmark and Sweden present a starkly different, modest image. Swedish parliamentarians do not have official vehicles or personal secretaries. They do not even have separate parking spaces for themselves; instead, these spaces are allocated for parliamentary staff and individuals with disabilities. While Korea ranks third globally in terms of National Assembly members’ salaries relative to GDP, Sweden is only 24th. Swedish members receive their salaries weekly, and if they are absent during a session, they do not receive pay, adhering to the principle of “no work, no pay.”

In Denmark, members perform their duties almost as a public service. Many Danish parliamentarians commute by bicycle. They work an average of 12 hours a day, with each member supported by two assistants. The “no work, no pay” principle is strictly applied: if they do not attend scheduled meetings, they lose their allowance for that time and their right to speak.

6.1. Reducing the Size and Professionalizing the National Assembly

For over 30 years, I have advocated for reducing the number of National Assembly members to 100 and transforming their positions into unpaid, honorary roles. My stance on this remains unchanged. State funding for their aides’ salaries should be discontinued, and vehicle support and other privileges should be abolished, except for absolutely essential matters. I believe there are plenty of individuals willing to work under these conditions, and these are precisely the people who would serve the nation and its citizens selflessly.

This is not an unrealistic proposal. Making National Assembly members unpaid, honorary positions would attract individuals genuinely committed to serving the nation and its people, and it would save national budget. The number of National Assembly members should also be drastically reduced. I believe 100 members are sufficient, as this number can adequately fulfill the legislative role. There is no need to simply compare with other countries based on population per seat.

Korea’s democracy is a presidential system adopted from the United States. Therefore, it is more rational to compare it with the U.S. Congress. The U.S., with a land area approximately 44 times larger than the Korean Peninsula and a population of about 330 million “over six times ours”, has only 100 senators and about 435 representatives with two-year terms. Yet, there are no reports of the U.S. government not functioning effectively.

However, instead of reducing the number of National Assembly members, some in political circles even argue for increasing it. During recent discussions to reform the electoral system to a mixed-member proportional representation system, some advocated for expanding the total number of parliamentary seats. They argued that at least 330 seats would be unavoidable to ensure that parties receive seats proportional to their vote share. While they did attach a condition of reducing parliamentary privileges to mitigate public resistance, it is apprehended that incumbent regional representatives strongly opposed any reduction in their constituency seats, as it directly affected their interests. Since incumbent regional representatives were unwilling to compromise on issues affecting their interests, the idea of increasing the number of National Assembly members was considered.

If the number of parliamentary seats were increased under the condition of reducing privileges to avoid immediate public backlash, it is questionable whether the public would trust that these reduced privileges would remain so. Just as local council members were initially designated as unpaid honorary positions when local councils were established, only to later become paid positions, there is no guarantee that reduced parliamentary privileges would not revert. Moreover, National Assembly members themselves determine their privileges. This could be nothing more than a deceptive tactic. While the proposal to increase the number of National Assembly members was eventually pushed aside by maintaining the existing total number of seats and switching from a mixed-member proportional system to a semi-mixed-member proportional system, the very emergence of such an idea suggests that the argument for expanding seats could resurface at any opportune moment.

6.2. The Deception of Satellite Parties and Electoral System Manipulation

Speaking of the historical manipulations by the two major parties, I must address their significant wrongdoing concerning the mixed-member proportional representation system. This system aims to allocate total seats proportionally to party vote share, with proportional representation seats awarded after subtracting those won in regional constituencies. The rationale behind this system was to increase the chances of minor party proportional representation candidates being elected, a commendable intention.

However, this was short-lived. Soon, the two major parties revealed their true colors, engaging in partisan disputes that ultimately altered the mixed-member proportional system into a semi-mixed-member proportional system, narrowing the chances for minor party candidates. In the final stages, they went even further, creating “satellite parties”—a phenomenon unprecedented anywhere else—to secure all proportional representation seats for themselves. The election results aligned with their intentions, leaving minor parties frustrated and enraged by their manipulations, but powerless to act.

In fact, I believe satellite parties violate constitutional provisions stating that a party’s purpose, organization, and activities must be democratic and that it must possess the necessary organization to participate in the formation of public political will. The National Election Commission should not have accepted their registration in the first place. However, it appears the National Election Commission merely went through formal review procedures and approved the registration of satellite parties.

Furthermore, it is clear that in the proportional representation nominations of these satellite parties, major parties like the Future United Party and the Democratic Party of Korea deliberately expelled legally selected proportional representation candidates from their main parties and re-admitted them to their satellite parties, allowing them to become proportional representation candidates for the satellite parties. Despite this blatant manipulation, the National Election Commission seemingly found no issues with the nomination results of the satellite parties and allowed their registration, which I believe was unjust.

Moreover, the National Election Commission even provided election subsidies to these satellite parties, the Future Korea Party and the Platform Party. I believe the organization of these satellite parties, their manipulative actions, and the National Election Commission’s tacit approval and permission will be recorded as a deeply shameful episode in Korea’s party and electoral history.

7. The Flaws of Local Autonomy and the Need for Centralized Efficiency

I have long assertd the need to abolish the local autonomy system. Not only do local elections incur enormous national expenses, but the personnel costs for local council members and other officials are also substantial. These are national funds that would not be necessary if the local autonomy system did not exist. Furthermore, local governments’ fierce competition to secure budgets under the guise of regional development has gone too far. Local governments are actively seeking new projects and devising strategies to secure national funds, which is utterly unacceptable.

Citizens who are satisfied when museums or parks are built in their areas, when city or county halls are splendidly constructed, or when subway stations appear near their homes, believing that national or local officials are doing a good job, are taking a short-sighted view. When the state allocates its budget, its priority should not be to build magnificent museums or palatial government buildings, but to stabilize the livelihoods of its citizens. By saving these funds and distributing them equitably to the people, significant assistance can be provided to stabilize the lives of ordinary citizens. This could alleviate the burdens of those struggling to make ends meet and reduce the suffering of those in distress. It could also stimulate consumption, benefit businesses, and become a driving force for a healthy national economy.

In a country like ours, where the quality of life for citizens is among the highest in OECD countries, but household debt is also among the highest, and the birth rate is a persistent problem, pouring national funds into regional development by deliberately seeking new projects is not just wasteful but morally reprehensible. Building museums can wait until citizens’ livelihoods are stable; it will not be too late then. And for now, I believe that with the projects already completed, there is no need for further regional beautification and development.

Another major reason for my regret regarding local autonomy is that Korea’s entire territory is only about the size of one U.S. state. There is no reason why a single central government cannot govern this small land. Some may argue for the necessity of local autonomy under the pretext of balanced regional development, but achieving balanced regional development through local autonomy is merely a pretext. Instead, it can foster excessive inter-regional competition, leading to wasted land and regional self-interest.

The regional self-interest of local governments has caused national setbacks on numerous occasions. It is well known that facilities that must be installed somewhere in the country, but are perceived as undesirable, are rejected by all local governments, putting the central government in a difficult position and even leading to conflicts.

However, at this point, I believe that instead of abolishing the already established local autonomy system, it is also a viable approach to resolve local government issues by focusing on improving budget waste. This would involve abolishing local elections and adopting a system where local government heads are appointed by the President through internal promotion. In addition to this method, if local government heads were appointed through recommendations rather than elections, and local councils were initially honorary, unpaid positions, as they were at their inception, it would save enormous election costs and council members’ salaries.

Furthermore, if local government heads were centrally appointed, it would allow for some control over the regional self-interest of local governments, which currently compete to secure budgets through regional National Assembly members and engage in indiscriminate development. This would prevent unnecessary budget expenditure and promote balanced national development.

8. The Perils of Party Politics: Factionalism and Corruption

Party politics is often described as the lifeblood of modern politics. Definitions state that a political party is an organization formed by individuals with similar political views to gain power and realize their political ideals. The Korean Political Parties Act defines a political party as a voluntary organization of citizens whose purpose is to promote responsible political claims or policies for the benefit of the people and to participate in the formation of public political will by recommending or supporting candidates in public elections.

Based on these definitions, political parties appear to be essential institutions for the people. Perhaps this is why some extol political parties as the “lifeblood of modern politics” or state that “the characteristic of modern politics is the party system” arguing that modern democracy is inconceivable without parties, and that parties serve as a bridge between citizens and government in representative democracy.

However, I assert that this party politics is a major impediment to the development of our politics and a significant cause of politicians neglecting public welfare and becoming corrupt. The political ideal of a party, as stated in the Political Parties Act, is fundamentally to realize the interests of the people. However, “the people” here does not refer to the entire populace but to a specific segment of the population with shared interests. Naturally, this creates a structure where parties with different ideals and interests are bound to clash.

conflict should not always be viewed negatively. If it is constructive conflict that contributes to national development, it should even be encouraged. However, most conflicts involve slandering and criticizing opponents, and as all Koreans know, they are nothing more than a mudslinging battle, dragging in everything imaginable solely to attack the opposition. It is no different from a gang fight, even if actual violence is not involved.

8.1. Abolishing Party Subsidies

Party subsidies must be abolished. As seen in the definition of a party, realizing political ideals is the ultimate goal of a party, and seizing power is merely a means to this end, a practical objective. However, frankly, Korean political parties seem to focus solely on seizing power, neglecting the sacred task of developing policies to realize political ideals based on the lives and welfare of the people. Party politicians appear to be preoccupied with seizing power and partisan interests, seemingly viewing even the public as mere tools to gain votes and power through plausible ideologies and rhetoric.

Political parties should prioritize policy development to realize their political ideals. This is their primary task. They should stake their claim to power on policy development. That is why the state provides subsidies under the guise of policy development. However, I doubt whether our political parties truly prioritize and exert effort in policy development activities. In my view, they only seem to focus on policies when elections are approaching, then hastily develop policies. Consequently, instead of well-thought-out policies for the lives and welfare of the people, they frequently concoct popular policies to win elections or imitate others’ policy ideas, presenting similar ones.

Even if a political party were to fulfill its role properly, I consider it a private organization. Many argue that parties are public organizations, but in my view, they are clearly private interest groups. These parties receive substantial state subsidies for policy development and election expenses. In 2020, the Democratic Party of Korea received a total of 90.7 billion won in party subsidies. Do such parties truly deserve such high levels of state support? I believe each party should procure such funds independently.

Even if we concede that some funding for policy development and election expenses is necessary, I believe there are significant problems with the allocation criteria. While there are many political parties in Korea, the beneficiaries of subsidies are primarily the major parties. This is because the Political Funds Act, which governs the distribution of party subsidies, is structured to favor large parties.

According to the current Political Funds Act’s subsidy allocation criteria, parties with 20 or more National Assembly seats, which can form a negotiating bloc, receive 50% of the total subsidy equally. Parties with 5 to 20 seats receive 10% of the total subsidy. Of the remaining funds, half are distributed based on the number of seats, and the other half based on vote share. This means that most state subsidies are allocated based on the number of seats, inevitably leading to the two major parties monopolizing the subsidies. These criteria make it difficult for new parties, parties without National Assembly members, or parties that did not achieve a certain vote share in previous elections to receive benefits. Such criteria are unfair, preventing the emergence of new parties with entirely different political ideals or new political figures.

It is also necessary to introduce a new political dynamic that can break away from the existing framework of the two major parties, which claim to work for national development and the people, and instead propose and realize new political ideals. However, party subsidies continue to block the emergence of new parties that could bring about such a dynamic.

The same applies to election subsidies, which are paid to parties based on the number of National Assembly seats and the proportion of votes received in previous elections. This money, primarily received by the major parties, can be used for any election-related purpose. Candidates belonging to these major parties conduct their campaigns with these subsidies. However, candidates from new parties, new political figures, or independents must fund all their election expenses themselves. Without considerable financial resources, new political figures find it difficult to even conduct proper campaigns. They may have to forgo hiring campaign workers, producing banners, and even essential deposit payments and public information materials.

Candidates from major parties, however, can mobilize the maximum number of campaign workers allowed by election law, create impressive banners, produce substantial public information materials, and transmit well-crafted promotional messages through agencies without any issues. They face no burden, no matter how much they spend on election expenses, as long as it is within the legal limits.

What is astonishing is that for major party candidates, there are not only election subsidies under the Political Funds Act. The Public Official Election Act also has a system where 100% of election expenses are reimbursed if a candidate achieves 15% or more of the vote, and 50% if they achieve between 10% and 15%. Major party candidates rarely fail to meet the 15% vote share requirement for full reimbursement under the Public Official Election Act. This is because the election law itself is structured to favor their candidates, and media reports and public opinion polls also overwhelmingly favor major party candidates.

Ultimately, major parties and their candidates effectively receive national funds twice: through regular operating subsidies and then again through pre-election subsidies and post-election expense reimbursements. It almost seems as if elections are merely events for major parties to extract money from the state.

Election expenses inevitably influence election outcomes. Spending more on campaigns and promoting effectively allows candidates to better inform voters about themselves and their policies. Party subsidies can only be seen as fueling political stagnation, blocking the emergence of new political figures who genuinely wish to work for the people and the nation, and contributing to the election of major party candidates. Therefore, the payment of party subsidies is tantamount to the state guaranteeing unfair elections. I believe this is unconstitutional. The payment of various subsidies to political parties should be abolished as soon as possible to ensure fair elections and save budget.

8.2. A Nation Where Injustice is the Norm

Some might counter that one can receive party subsidies by electing National Assembly members and increasing vote share. However, chickens come from eggs, and eggs come from chickens. Consider the unfair election laws and election portals I briefly mentioned earlier, in addition to party subsidies. It is almost impossible for new political figures or new parties to even get past the first hurdle. The Political Funds Act, the Public Official Election Act, election portals—everything is structured so that those who have continue to gain, achieving their goals, while those who have not are left with nothing but financial ruin. In other words, it can only be concluded that a structure has been created where only major parties receive subsidies and survive, and only major party candidates can be elected.

TV debates are a golden opportunity for candidates to introduce themselves to the public and promote their policies. However, the current Public Official Election Act restricts who can participate in TV debates. Article 82, Paragraph 2 of the Public Official Election Act, concerning presidential election debates hosted by election broadcasting debate commissions, stipulates the following: “When holding debates as per Paragraphs 1 to 3, each election broadcasting debate commission shall invite candidates falling under any of the following subparagraphs. In this case, candidates invited by the election broadcasting debate commission shall attend the debate unless there is a justifiable reason.”

For presidential elections, this includes:

1. Candidates recommended by parties with five or more members in the National Assembly.
2. Candidates recommended by parties that received 3% or more of the total valid votes nationwide in the immediately preceding presidential election, proportional representation National Assembly election, proportional representation metropolitan/provincial council election, or proportional representation autonomous district/city/county council election.
3. Candidates whose average approval rating, based on public opinion polls conducted and published by media organizations between 31 days before the start of the election period and the day before the start of the election period, as determined by the National Election Commission rules, is 5% or more.

It is fortunate that this provision opens up the possibility for candidates from new parties to participate in TV debates. However, a new political figure must achieve a 5% approval rating in public opinion polls during the 30 days before the election period. For a new political figure, achieving a 5% approval rating is as unlikely as plucking a star from the sky. Why? Because the media, broadcasting, public opinion polling agencies, and election laws all work overwhelmingly against the emergence of new political figures.

Korea’s public broadcasters and major media outlets are the primary contributors to preventing new political figures from gaining public support. Even before the election period begins, media outlets report exclusively on major party candidates day and night. Public broadcasters, including those funded by public viewing fees, and major media outlets faithfully report only on the activities of major party candidates to the public. There is no mention whatsoever of other minor candidates who paid the same deposit to run. Consequently, the public often only knows about major party candidates and is unaware of the candidacy of new party or independent candidates.

The same applies to so-called candidate approval rating surveys conducted by public opinion polling agencies. They arbitrarily survey and announce approval ratings only for some major party candidates. The media then reiterates these findings. with the exception of individuals like myself who consistently enjoy a certain level of public popularity, if new political figures are surveyed, they will not appear in media reports, and thus will not register any approval ratings. Therefore, it seems that media outlets, broadcasters, and public opinion polling agencies are actively blocking the emergence of new political figures. The Public Official Election Act’s provision that candidates with an approval rating of 5% or more can participate in TV debates is nothing more than a superficial formality.

Some might argue that there is also the method of being recommended by a party that obtained 3% of the valid votes in the proportional representation election, as per Article 82, Paragraph 4, Subparagraph 2. However, that is also not an easy task. If a candidate seeks a recommendation from a third party that meets such conditions, they must find a party whose political ideals and platform align with theirs and then negotiate with that party, which is by no means easy. Ultimately, the legal provisions regarding candidate eligibility for TV debates in the Public Official Election Act are tantamount to a threat, telling new political figures that if they do not join an existing party, they should not even think about engaging in politics.

Article 28 of the same law, concerning policy debates hosted by election broadcasting debate commissions, is even more disheartening for new parties. This provision deals with political policy debates where policies can be promoted, but new parties have no avenue to participate at all. The regulation states the following:

“The Central Election Broadcasting Commission shall, from 90 days before the election day for elections due to term expiration until the day before the start of candidate registration, invite representatives or their designated persons from the following parties “excluding parties that have publicly announced their non-participation in the election” to hold policy debates at least once a month:

1. Parties with five or more members in the National Assembly.
2. Parties that received 3% or more of the total valid votes nationwide in the immediately preceding presidential election, proportional representation National Assembly election, or proportional representation metropolitan/provincial council election.”

As such, Korea’s election law effectively blocks new political figures or new parties from participating in broadcast debates, including TV debates, which are crucial opportunities to introduce candidates and their policies. While major party candidates appear on broadcasts multiple times to promote themselves and their policies, candidates from new parties or new political figures can only promote their policies through public television once during the election period, with a mere 10-minute speech or 10-minute debate for minor party candidates. This single 10-minute slot is usually scheduled during times when most people are not watching. Furthermore, they can only promote themselves and their policies through personal campaigning, banners, posters, or social media activities, which are quantitatively and qualitatively inferior to those of candidates who receive election subsidies.

What kind of election results can be expected from such an unfair election? I can only conclude that the party subsidies provided within such an unfair electoral environment—characterized by unfair election laws, biased media reporting, and manipulated public opinion polls—are ultimately intended for established politicians to conduct superficial elections and solidify their vested interests through re-election.

It is common to see cases where party officials are arrested for engaging in “nomination trading” where parties prioritize partisan interests over the public and sell nominations for candidates. In the reality of Korean politics, receiving a nomination from a major party is tantamount to guaranteeing election, and it is rumored in political circles that many are willing to pay money to secure such nominations. Expecting political development in such a political climate and party behavior is like trying to catch fish in a tree. I believe that political parties are the biggest link contributing to the corruption of politicians, rather than political development.

It is not at all unusual for National Assembly members belonging to a party to abandon their campaign promises like old shoes and follow party lines to secure future nominations. If they disregard party lines and voice independent opinions, or act independently against party directives, they immediately face criticism from the party and disqualification for future nominations. In such a situation, praising political parties as a strong bridge connecting the people and the nation is absurd.

8.3. Modern Factionalism and the Two-Party System

Korea’s party politics is no different from the factional struggles of the Joseon Dynasty. In fact, I believe it is even worse. In the past, factional struggles were limited to the upper class, the yangban, but now, due to developed mass media, not only politicians but the entire nation is drawn into the arena of public division, with all citizens embroiled in factional disputes.

It is incorrect to romanticize Joseon Dynasty factionalism by calling it “bungdang politics” and evaluating it positively. the early stages of the Easterners and Westerners could be positively assessed as academic debates. However, as time progressed, factions became more political, eventually dividing into four factions—Noron, Soron, Namin, and Bukin—engaging in bloody political strife. This was not even over meaningful academic topics or proposals to help the nation and its people, but solely driven by a desperate quest for power, tearing at each other over trivial court etiquette and even resorting to murder. How can this be romanticized or given positive meaning by claiming that bungdang politics is similar to Korea’s party politics?

Since Korea’s party politics is not significantly different from Joseon Dynasty factionalism, it would not be wrong to say that Joseon’s factional history is the origin of Korea’s party politics. The supposedly enlightened yangban literati were so engrossed in factional struggles that they cared nothing for the suffering of the common people, even when the nation was in peril. They even reported conflicting accounts to the king after returning from a diplomatic mission to Japan on the same ship, due to their competitive rivalry and animosity. What more needs to be said about the damage caused by factionalism? Ultimately, when Japan learned of Korea’s situation, embroiled in factional struggles, they sent a large army to invade this land as a breakthrough for their own problems. What else could have been the cause but factionalism? Factionalism was the biggest reason for plunging the people into misery and endangering the nation.

Yet, in modern times, with the introduction of democracy from the West, this destructive factionalism has been repackaged as party politics, perpetuating partisan retaliation and even involving the public in the conflict, causing national division. This is truly appalling.

The extreme factionalism in Korea’s party politics is largely attributable to the two-party system. It is commonly believed that the establishment of a two-party system signifies political stability, moving away from the chaos caused by the proliferation of minor parties, and this is generally viewed positively. To some extent, this is true. However, even if political chaos due to minor party proliferation has decreased, this two-party system creates equally serious problems. At least, this is true for current Korean politics.

A two-party system, consisting of conservative and progressive parties, divides the nation, leading to severe fragmentation. This directly contradicts the political goal of achieving national unity. Such national division is a common phenomenon in democratic nations with two-party systems; the United States and Europe are no exceptions. However, in Korea, ideological confrontation is exacerbated by regional sentiment, intensifying national conflict and division under the two-party system. Furthermore, if the ruling party fails, the opposition often takes power next, leading to completely opposing policies, a lack of consistency in national policy, and thus increased budget waste. No government can establish long-term national development plans. Even if a government sets long-term plans, they are discarded overnight when the administration changes.

Moreover, Korea’s two-party political structure has degenerated into a level of tyrannical politics. Former presidents are no sooner out of office than they are subjected to political judgment, enduring public humiliation repeatedly. Consequently, politicians exert all their efforts to maintain power, even if it means currying favor with the public. They are compelled to focus on short-term, showy administrative achievements rather than presenting long-term national development blueprints and establishing realistic alternatives to realize them.

Furthermore, since all positions, from president to National Assembly members, local government heads, and local council members, are elected, the two-party confrontational structure permeates every level, from the central party down to small local units, leading to widespread showy administration and budget waste. All of this is funded by the taxes paid by citizens and businesses.

The two-party system fundamentally blocks new parties or candidates with genuinely new policies or visions from entering politics independently. It is almost impossible to enter politics without joining one of the two major parties. As mentioned earlier, running as a minor party or independent candidate makes it very difficult to gain votes from the public due to Korea’s unfair electoral environment and media reporting practices, unless one has exceptional name recognition.

Especially regarding the two opposing parties, conservative and progressive, the public often feels that even if they dislike both, they fear that the party they dislike more will gain more seats. Therefore, even if people are drawn to a new party, they often vote for one of the two major parties, fearing that their vote for a new party would be a “dead vote” and lead to the victory of the party they dislike more. Thus, the two-party system creates a political structure where it is very difficult for individuals with new political ideas that transcend the ideologies or policies of established parties to enter the political arena and contribute to political development and the nation. This is why new political figures who enter politics with dreams and passion to change society either give up midway or quickly become similar to existing politicians.

If we continue to disregard the problems of the two-party system, nothing but despair awaits Korea. First, a way to mitigate the shortcomings of the two-party system is to ensure fair elections. Fair elections must inject new life into politics and ensure that individuals who genuinely work for the nation and its people are elected. Even if a candidate is not from a major party, all candidates must be treated fairly once they register.

The unfair practice of completely excluding minor party or independent candidates from public opinion polls and media reports, while only surveying or reporting on candidates from established parties, despite all candidates paying the same deposit, must be rectified. The current electoral environment and practices, where everything—candidate number selection, TV debates, public opinion polls, media reporting, pre-election campaigning, and election expenses—favors major party candidates and disadvantages others, must be immediately corrected.

The arbitrary principle of assigning candidate numbers 1 and 2 based on the number of National Assembly members a party has is also unfair. It should be determined by lottery to ensure fairness. All election law provisions that favor major party candidates must be abolished or amended, and the early voting system, which makes it difficult to dispel allegations of electoral fraud, should be eliminated. Only when candidates from minor parties or independents can be elected can the harms of the two-party system be prevented and new life be breathed into politics.

If we allow the harms of the two-party system to persist, it is clear that Korea will be plagued by petty retaliatory politics and endless national conflict and division, making national unity, political development, and further national progress distant dreams.

8.4. The Ultimate Abolition of the Party System

Ultimately, I believe the party system should be abolished so that National Assembly members can work conscientiously, representing their constituents’ will first, rather than party directives or interests. National Assembly members belonging to parties are compelled to follow party directives rather than local interests. Politicians belonging to parties have engaged in political strife with other parties, and there is no hope that this situation will improve. To prevent Korea’s political arena from becoming a battleground, I believe we should abolish parties and have National Assembly members elected as representatives of their constituents and the nation, without party affiliation.

Abolishing parties would eliminate the need for factions and the pretense of ideological banners, thereby preventing national conflict and division. If laws are proposed in the National Assembly for the benefit of the people and local residents, and are enacted after sufficient debate and discussion, the will of the local residents and the people can be directly reflected in the law. This would prevent the distortion and disregard of public will that occurs through the intermediary of political parties. I believe that abolishing parties would lead to the enactment of laws truly for the people and the implementation of policies for the people. By abolishing parties, unnecessary budget waste can be prevented, the saved money can be returned to the people, who are the owners of the nation, national division can be prevented to achieve national unity, and National Assembly members can truly work for the people and local residents.

9. The Looming National Crisis: Demographic Cliff and Societal Ills

9.1. The Demographic Cliff: A Nation on the Brink of Disappearance

I cannot help but feel concerned when I observe Korea and its people today. Despite having become a top-10 economic power, envied by the world, the nation faces a severe crisis that gravely threatens the future of our people.

Korea’s birth rate exceeded 1 million per year in the 1960s. This began to decline in the 1970s due to population control policies, falling to around 700,000 by the mid-1990s and maintaining that level. However, it began to decrease sharply in the 2000s. The population control policies of the 1970s, implemented due to concerns about excessive population growth, were appropriate for their time. However, the problem was that they instilled a national perception that having only one or two children was normal. The IMF crisis in the late 1990s and the subsequent response measures were major causes of the sharp decline in births in the 2000s.

In 1997, facing a national bankruptcy crisis, Korea secured IMF funds to avert disaster. In return, it accepted the IMF’s demands for corporate mergers and acquisitions and severe restructuring, leading to mass unemployment. Young people lost their job prospects, resulting in a socioeconomic situation where their livelihoods were not guaranteed. It became difficult not only to have children but even to marry. Even for those who married, dual-income households became necessary to maintain economic stability, leading to a rapid decline in the birth rate.

From the early 2000s to 2010, over a decade, the annual number of births dropped from the previous 700,000 range to about 460,000, a 65% decrease from the previous level. Even after recovering from the IMF crisis in the mid-2000s, the low birth rate has persisted and intensified recently. This is due to the worsening wealth inequality, youth unemployment, and unresolved issues related to livelihoods, marriage, childcare, and education, which have dampened young people’s desire to marry or have children.

Although the government and local authorities belatedly recognized the severity of the problem and began implementing birth promotion policies, they have yet to achieve significant results. Instead of improvement, the number of births has continued to decline sharply each year. In 2016, it was about 400,000; in 2018, 326,000; in 2019, 312,000; and in 2020, it recorded an all-time low of 275,000, causing great shock. While the impact of COVID-19 in 2020 cannot be ignored, the consistent sharp decline in births and birth rates over the years means it cannot be attributed solely to the pandemic.

Furthermore, the number of births in 2020 was lower than the total number of deaths, which is even more shocking. This marked the first time in Korea’s demographic history that a natural population decrease occurred. Along with the number of births, the birth rate has also continuously fallen. In 2019, it was 0.92%, ranking last among the 37 OECD member countries and being the only one in the 0% range. Last year, in 2020, it hit a new low of 0.84%. A birth rate of 0.84% means that each woman of childbearing age gives birth to 0.84 children in her lifetime. Considering that a couple needs to have at least 2.1 children to maintain the population, anyone can predict that a demographic cliff is imminent.

If the reality of the demographic cliff is left unaddressed, it is obvious that it will lead to severe economic problems in the near future, and anyone can surmise that it will culminate in issues for the elderly of the current young and middle-aged generations, and ultimately, a crisis for national survival and the extinction of the Korean people. It is no exaggeration that global scholars rank South Korea as the number one country most likely to disappear from the face of the Earth.

Despite the continuous decline in births and birth rates to their worst levels, the government and local authorities have poured astronomical budgets into birth policies to address the low birth rate. In 2021, the government’s low birth rate support budget over 10 years totaled 210.95 trillion won. In 2020 alone, it amounted to a staggering 45 trillion won. However, despite spending such astronomical birth budgets, an anomalous situation occurred where 50,000 fewer babies were born annually compared to four years prior. Why did the birth rate fall further despite more money being spent? One cannot help but wonder where all that astronomical money went.

If 45 trillion won were divided by the 275,815 newborns in 2020, it would amount to approximately 163 million won per child. Imagining what situation would unfold if that money were directly given to parents allows one to grasp how misguided Korea’s birth policy direction and methods are.

Politicians and those responsible for leading the nation have a duty to foresee the future by insightfully analyzing social situations with the wisdom of prophets and pioneers, to create laws and establish policies, and to possess the policy implementation capability to find the best methods and achieve optimal results. And above all, I believe they must have a sense of responsibility and mission that genuinely considers the future of the nation and its people.

9.2. A More Fundamental Approach to Childbirth and Rearing

A baby boom needs to occur approximately every 20 years to maintain the population. Since a baby boom occurred in 1958, baby booms should have happened in 1978 and 1998. However, instead of baby booms, there has only been a continuous sharp decline in births. The demographic cliff is inevitable. It seems that politicians and local governments are now scrambling to imitate the national-level birth policies I previously proposed. I do not blame politicians for their arrogance. However, I want to make it clear that merely imitating those policies will not solve the problem.

While providing a significant amount of cash for childbirth might increase the birth rate, local governments with limited budgets find it difficult to sustain such policies. Moreover, the low birth rate issue is not merely a matter of birth rate alone. It is a complex problem resulting from a combination of unemployment, marriage, childcare, an unstable social environment, and public consciousness. Therefore, birth policies must be implemented alongside comprehensive measures that simultaneously address these issues to be effective. Simply offering some money and telling people to have children will not solve the problem.

First, citizens’ incomes must be stable, eliminating worries about livelihoods. Then, conditions for marriage must be established. Only after that should support for childbirth be provided. Furthermore, children must be able to attend school happily, marry, and find employment in a society that makes them unafraid to have children. And a change in consciousness must follow. The amount of support for childbirth should be at least 50 million won; it is questionable whether a few hundred thousand or a few million won would inspire a desire to have children. Those who formulate and implement policies must bear these points in mind and establish effective and sustainable measures.

9.3. Laws and Systems That Must Disappear

I have consistently spoken about the shortcomings of 10 problematic or flawed systems currently existing in Korea. I identify the 10 major “evil laws” that must disappear as the Kim Young-ran Act, the Real Name Financial System, the Constitutional Court, the College Scholastic Ability Test “CSAt” system, inheritance tax, labor unions, the reward and punishment system, prisons, and the conscription system. Currently, Korea is bound by these evil laws and systems, which are ruining the economy, politics, and education, and exacerbating corruption and social conflict.

In particular, the Kim Young-ran Act, the Real Name Financial System, labor unions, and inheritance tax are detrimental to the economy. The official name of the Kim Young-ran Act is the “Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Receipt of Money or Goods.” Enacted on March 27, 2015, it is commonly known as the Kim Young-ran Act because it was proposed by then-Chairperson Kim Young-ran of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission in 2012 to establish discipline in public service. Although the original bill aimed to prevent improper receipt of money or goods by public officials, its scope was expanded during the legislative process to include journalists and private school faculty.

While this law has a good intention of eradicating corruption in our society, it excessively rigidifies society and negatively impacts the economy. It is well known that the flower and livestock industries suffered significant blows in the early stages of its implementation. Despite subsequent revisions and debates, which recently raised the gift limit for agricultural and fishery products to 200,000 won, as long as this law exists, even giving congratulatory gifts for promotions or flowers on Teachers’ Day remains a psychological burden for both givers and receivers.

Moreover, corruption cannot truly be prevented by such laws. Bribery can occur discreetly regardless of these laws. Furthermore, by creating a reward and punishment system that punishes both the giver and receiver of a bribe equally, bribery is not deterred; instead, it acts as a safety net, allowing recipients to accept bribes with peace of mind. Improper receipt of money or goods would naturally disappear if the reward and punishment system were abolished and only the recipient of the bribe were punished. This is the way to deal with bribery; the Kim Young-ran Act is not effective. Moreover, the Kim Young-ran Act itself includes a reward and punishment clause. The Kim Young-ran Act, which restricts the receipt of money or goods, only rigidifies society, making it bleak, and stifles the economy by preventing the natural flow of money between individuals. I believe the Kim Young-ran Act and the reward and punishment system should be abolished as soon as possible.

The Real Name Financial System was abruptly implemented on August 12, 1993, by then-President Kim Young-sam’s emergency presidential decree. It prohibited withdrawals from non-real-name accounts, mandated reporting withdrawals of 30 million won or more to the National Tax Service for source investigation, and required conversion of non-real-name accounts to real-name accounts within two months of its implementation. However, even after a considerable period following the decree, the conversion of non-real-name accounts was very low due to depositors’ fear of National Tax Service investigations. Consequently, two supplementary measures were later introduced, with the second measure including a provision that withdrawals of 30 million won or more would not trigger National Tax Service investigations.

As the Real Name Financial System began to falter, a significant amount of capital, including foreign currency, flowed overseas, which became a major problem. From the state’s perspective, the Real Name Financial System broadened the tax base, secured tax revenues, and facilitated tax administration. However, it also led to adverse effects such as capital outflow, soaring real estate prices, bankruptcies of small and medium-sized enterprises, and ultimately contributed to the 1997 IMF crisis, a national bankruptcy.

Money inherently tends to hide underground. A common example is how spouses, even when managing a household together, often hide emergency funds from each other. It is human nature for a father to hide money from his children, intending to use it urgently later. The Real Name Financial System is a system that goes against this human nature. The fact that 50,000-won and 10,000-won banknotes disappear underground as soon as they are issued is not unrelated to the Real Name Financial System. Under this system, money that people want to hide has no choice but to go underground in high-denomination bills or flow out of the country through various means. The discovery of illegal gambling funds in bundles of 50,000-won notes in a garlic field is a real-life example.

If the Real Name Financial System were abolished and the opening of non-real-name accounts were permitted, there would be no reason for money to necessarily circulate in high-denomination bills or flee abroad. Instead, it could circulate actively domestically, contributing to economic revitalization. The Real Name Financial System, which goes against human nature and stifles the economy, should be abolished.

The Constitutional Court is a superfluous institution, an “attic on the roof” that is not needed. Most of the work done by the Constitutional Court can be handled by the Supreme Court. The Constitution should be revised to abolish the Constitutional Court and transfer its powers to the Supreme Court. Maintaining unnecessary institutions or periods is merely a waste of budget.

9.4. Gandhi’s Seven Social Sins and Korea’s Seven Elements of National Ruin

Mahatma Gandhi, the revered Indian politician, identified seven social evils that ruin a nation. Korea, unfortunately, possesses all of them. Based on Gandhi’s seven social evils, I identify Korea’s seven elements of national ruin as: politics without principle, pleasure without conscience, wealth without work, education without character, economy without morality, religion without sacrifice, and science without humanity.

The first element of national ruin is politics without principle. Korean politics lacks principles. The National Assembly resembles a chaotic marketplace. It is full of inconsistent, partisan politics driven by self-interest and calculations, with no firm convictions. Their partisan interests cannot serve as a principle. The principle of politics I speak of is not their self-interest or partisan interests, but the fundamental purpose of politics: public welfare and coexistence and mutual prosperity. It means establishing the political goal of ensuring all citizens can live well for the sake of the nation and its people as a principle.

Global politics also lacks principles. Each country, like the constant fine dust from China, thinks only of itself. The principle of living together with other nations, the principle of coexistence and mutual prosperity, must be established. The entire world must set coexistence and mutual prosperity for humanity as its grand principle, and each nation must govern under this grand principle. Otherwise, if each country only pursues its own interests, the world will become a battlefield, and the global environment could be irreversibly destroyed.

The second element of national ruin is pleasure without conscience. Here, the target is the public. Although Korea has become prosperous and its social welfare system has established a certain level of social safety net, many citizens still worry about their livelihoods, and many are burdened by debt. The Songpa three-mother-daughter incident, where a family chose suicide after being overlooked for basic living support despite their desperate situation, is still vivid in our memories.

Considering that countless people are starving somewhere on Earth, and refugees are dying adrift in the vast ocean with nowhere to go, one cannot indulge in extravagant pleasures, spending millions of won on food and drink in a single night, or traveling the world in luxury yachts, simply because one has money. If one travels the world, visiting places where people live in hardship to offer warmth, or if one plays golf but also dedicates time to serving unfortunate neighbors, then that person at least has a conscience.

The third element of national ruin is wealth without work. Acquiring wealth through the corruption of politicians and public officials, easily making money by colluding with those in power, and real estate speculation by the wealthy are prime examples of wealth without work. However, the get-rich-quick mentality, seeking wealth without effort, is rampant not only among the elite and wealthy but throughout our entire society. Gambling, excessive lottery purchases, and speculative stock trading or Bitcoin investments that go beyond sound investment are also related to this mentality.

If a get-rich-quick mentality, where people seek to make large sums of money easily rather than through diligent work, becomes widespread, it can lead to serious social problems. This is because it means many people will lose money and fall into despair, and diligent, hardworking people will lose their motivation to work and may even join the get-rich-quick trend, causing the entire society to become sick.

The fourth element of national ruin is education without character. Korea’s education can be considered a complete failure. In that regard, those who planned and implemented education policies would have no excuse for any reprimand they receive. They have ruined the character of children and are ruining the future of the nation. In the endless competition of the “entrance exam hell” children learn that they must step on others to survive, becoming individuals who lack consideration and care only for themselves when they enter society. It is now a common sight for young people on subways or buses to look down, ignoring elderly people standing right in front of them.

Home education is also in disarray. It has become a world where parents scold teachers for merely saying a word to their child. In such a world, ancient texts would describe it as “eon-eo-do-dan” meaning that words, writing, and the Way have been severed, and morality has disappeared.

The fifth element of national ruin is economy without morality. Economy refers to the activities of producing, distributing, and consuming goods and services necessary for society. Morality and fair rules must be applied and upheld in production, pricing, distribution, and allocation. However, in our society, immoral practices in the production process, such as the use of illegal raw materials, manipulation and concealment of product specifications, and discharge of waste, are common. Unfair and immoral acts in pricing and distribution, such as corporate collusion or insider trading, also frequently occur.

It goes without saying that extreme wealth inequality has resulted from the capitalist mode of distribution based on meritocracy. Extreme wealth disparity must be addressed by the state to restore fairness. Becoming wealthy is possible because many people help. They provide labor, consume, and sometimes, as seen in “chicken games” everyone becomes a sacrifice. A certain portion must be returned to the state and society, so that those who are less fortunate also receive a share, reducing wealth inequality. However, in our society, the entire system revolves around the privileged class, and wealth inequality is growing day by day, with justice having been lost long ago.

The sixth element of national ruin is religion without sacrifice. The true essence of religion is to sacrifice and serve society. While each religion has different teachings and beliefs, the fundamental core of their teachings is to care for neighbors, give 100% to others, and live in mutual love. However, contemporary religions seem to focus more on expanding their influence and external appearance than on practicing these teachings. While many religious leaders live simple lives of sacrifice and service amidst difficulties, it cannot be denied that some religious organizations treat religion as a business, engaging in profit-making. This is a departure from the true essence of religion.

We should reflect on Jesus’ words in the Bible: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” In Buddhism, there is also a story of Manjusri Bodhisattva appearing as a leper in worn clothes to test devotees. Caring for the poor and sick, and comforting those in need in the hidden corners of society, is the foremost duty of religion. A religion that has lost its inherent role of sacrifice and service has already lost its reason for existence.

The seventh element of national ruin is science without humanity. It is well known that the development of science and technology without considering the environment harms not only one nation but the entire world and humanity, sickening the Earth. Polluted air, soil, and water resulting from the use of science and technology without environmental consideration return to humans as a disaster. Environmental pollution is not a problem that can be contained within one region or one country. Water and air circulate throughout the entire globe. We must remember that science without humanity is not only ruinous for a nation but also affects neighboring countries and the entire world, potentially destroying the Earth itself.

10. The Peril of Constitutional Amendment for a Cabinet System

10.1. The Cabinet System: A Scheme to Consolidate Political Power

Finally, we must absolutely avoid a constitutional amendment for a cabinet system. The talk of amending the constitution to a cabinet system frequently emerges from political circles. The intention behind changing the constitution from a presidential system to a parliamentary cabinet system is transparent. The very fact that politicians are still discussing “imperial presidency” and “power sharing” while they should be focusing all their efforts on creating laws and developing policies to address and resolve the people’s livelihood issues, demonstrates that their sole interest lies in solidifying their vested interests and expanding and maintaining their power.

I cannot help but conclude that they intend to amend the constitution to a cabinet system so that the National Assembly, as the legislative body, can seize administrative power, govern the nation as they please, and maintain that power for a long time. In my view, the power of the legislative branch already overwhelms the executive branch. When the President appoints someone, the National Assembly’s confirmation hearing process, under the pretext of vetting the candidate, severely undermines the authority of the appointing power. If the opposition party holds a majority in the National Assembly, passing a bill proposed by the President is as difficult as plucking a star from the sky.

How can this be an “imperial presidency”? It is an imperial National Assembly. Nevertheless, the attempt to push for a cabinet system amendment under the guise of preventing the dictatorship of an “imperial president” can only be seen as a manifestation of politicians’ collective lust for power.

10.2. The Imperial National Assembly, Not the Imperial Presidency

It is the Imperial National Assembly, not the Imperial Presidency. I believe that the head of the executive branch, whether the President or the Prime Minister, should be able to appoint whomever they wish without procedures like National Assembly confirmation hearings. This is because in a presidential system, the President is responsible for national affairs. It is illogical for the President to be unable to properly appoint the ministers they wish to employ and then be held solely responsible for any problems in national governance.

Some may argue that the National Assembly’s vetting of government officials is a natural duty of the legislative branch to check the executive. However, I believe it is an overreach that goes beyond mere checks and balances. It appears to be an attempt to obstruct the President’s initiatives. This situation should be viewed as a concentration of power due to the legislative branch’s dominance, deviating from the purpose of separation of powers.

One might say that it doesn’t matter if the President appoints someone even if the National Assembly opposes it. However, during the National Assembly confirmation hearing process, candidates and even their families are thoroughly scrutinized and often completely disgraced under the pretext of questioning their morality. Even if appointed, this negatively impacts their image and, in effect, the prestige of the appointing authority, the President. Furthermore, suitable candidates often decline the President’s offer to avoid such humiliation.

Given that a system has been created where the President cannot even appoint a single minister due to excessive interference from the National Assembly, it is truly absurd to now advocate for a constitutional amendment to a parliamentary cabinet system under the pretext of an “imperial presidency.” Anyone can see that the term “imperial” applies to the National Assembly, not the President.

10.3. The Unsuitability of the Cabinet System for Korea

The cabinet system, which should not be implemented in Korea, can be found in the United Kingdom. After Henry VIII of the Stuart dynasty, George I of the Hanover dynasty, rooted in Germany, ascended to the throne. As he could not speak English, he entrusted the governance to the cabinet, establishing the principle that the monarch reigns but does not rule. Consequently, the cabinet could not effectively govern without aligning with the dominant party in parliament, leading to the emergence of the parliamentary cabinet system.

I believe that attempting to introduce this parliamentary cabinet system, which arose from such a historical background, into Korea—a country with a President who can form a cabinet and lead the nation without any problems—is merely a manifestation of politicians’ selfish desires.

We have already experienced implementing a parliamentary cabinet system. At the time of President Syngman Rhee’s resignation due to electoral fraud, a law was enacted to establish a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors “equivalent to today’s National Assembly”, and to elect the President and Prime Minister through a joint session of these two houses to form a cabinet. In other words, it was a parliamentary cabinet system where the National Assembly elected the President and Prime Minister to form a cabinet. At that time, the President was designated as the head of state and a symbolic representative of the nation, while administrative power was concentrated in the Prime Minister elected by the House of Representatives. Thus, the joint session of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors elected the President and Prime Minister to form the cabinet. However, we are well aware of how chaotic the nation was at that time.

Korea is a divided nation with constant security anxieties. Surrounding Korea are North Korea and Russia to the north, the United States and China to the east and west, and Japan to the east, which can also pose a threat. Therefore, Korea needs a system that can lead the nation with strong leadership. In my view, without a strong central point, a national crisis could arise at a time when strong and swift leadership is needed. There is a risk of being communized.

Countries with monarchs, like Japan or the UK, can have a cabinet system. Because they have a central figure in the monarch, even if there are problems within the cabinet, situations where decisions are delayed and the nation wavers do not occur. However, in a cabinet system country without a monarch, in times of emergency, the nation could face a major crisis due to delays caused by decision-making through majority rule.

Even in a presidential system, there should be only one central point. Power should be concentrated in the President; it is problematic to transfer a significant portion of that authority to the Prime Minister. When led by strong leadership centered on a single focal point, the nation becomes stable, can effectively respond to crises, and can swiftly adapt to rapidly changing international situations.

Politicians who disregard the safety and well-being of the nation and its people, and seek to change the political system to a parliamentary cabinet system solely for their own power, interest, and its legitimization, must come to their senses. Whether it is a presidential system or a parliamentary cabinet system, the public has little interest in it. The public only wishes for their livelihood problems to be solved. They only wish for politics that serves the people and promotes national development.

Vocabulary

• 촉일류 국가 “Chok-il-ryu Gukga”: Top-tier Nation
• 난세의 영웅 “Nanse-ui Yeongung”: Hero of a Troubled Era
• 혼돈과 절망 “Hondon-gwa Jeolmang”: Chaos and Despair
• 민주주의 “Minjujuui”: Democracy
• 특권층 “Teukgwoncheung”: Privileged Class
• 빈부 격차 “Binbu Gyeokcha”: Wealth Inequality
• 중우정치 “Jung-u Jeongchi”: Ochlocracy “Mob Rule”
• 철인정치 “Cheol-in Jeongchi”: Philosopher-King Rule
• 대의정치 “Dae-ui Jeongchi”: Representative Politics
• 신정정치 “Sinjeong Jeongchi”: Theocracy “Divine Governance”
• 공리 “Gong-ri”: Benevolence / Universal Principle
• 공존 공영 “Gongjon Gongyeong”: Coexistence and Mutual Prosperity
• 화신 “Hwasin”: Incarnation
• 종산주의 “Jongsanjuui”: Jongsanism “Economic System for Perfecting Capitalism”
• 면책 특권 “Myeonchaek Teukgwon”: Immunity from Prosecution
• 불체포 특권 “Bulchepo Teukgwon”: Inviolability from Arrest
• 연동형 비례대표제 “Yeondonghyeong Biryedaepyoche”: Mixed-Member Proportional Representation System
• 위성 정당 “Wiseong Jeongdang”: Satellite Party
• 지방자치제 “Jibang Jachije”: Local Autonomy System
• 당리당략 “Dangri Dangnyak”: Partisan Interests
• 정당 보조금 “Jeongdang Bojogum”: Party Subsidies
• 선거 보조금 “Seongeo Bojogum”: Election Subsidies
• 사표 “Sapyo”: Dead Vote
• 인구 절벽 “Ingu Jeolbyeok”: Demographic Cliff
• 산아 제한 정책 “Sana Jehan Jeongchaek”: Population Control Policy
• 김영란법 “Kim Young-ran Beop”: Kim Young-ran Act “Anti-Corruption Law”
• 금융실명제 “Geumyung Silmyeongje”: Real Name Financial System
• 헌법 재판소 “Huhnbeop Jaepanso”: Constitutional Court
• 내각제 개헌 “Naegakje Gaeheon”: Constitutional Amendment for a Cabinet System

난세 Ch.5 The Audacious Vision of Huh Kyung-young A Path to a Transformed Korea

The Path Less Traveled: A Vision for a New Society

1. The Alternative of Middle-Class Centricism

Many people commonly speak of gradual progress, believing that our politics and society are evolving in such a manner. However, is this truly the case? Has our politics steadily advanced? Is society progressively improving? I wish to ask them: Is there even a slight possibility that the lives of the people will gradually improve under the current political circumstances? And are there truly gradual methods to resolve the deepening wealth disparity and achieve a society of coexistence and co-prosperity? I can unequivocally state that such methods do not exist. There is no other way than a revolutionary approach that completely reconfigures the system with the goal of a coexistent and co-prosperous society.

The Monstrous Nature of Capitalism

Our nation’s industrial revolution and the Miracle on the Han River brought about remarkable economic development and an abundance of life. As industrialization further advanced, the nation’s overall wealth and profits grew, and people’s lives changed dramatically. However, capitalism is inherently a system designed to create a cycle where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. In a free market economy with ambiguous competition, there are inevitably those who earn a lot of money and those who do not. Those who earn a lot of money invest it to earn even more. As this cycle repeats, the disparity grows enormously, eventually leading to a structure where the wealthy easily monopolize most of the nation’s wealth.

During periods of rapid development, there are relatively many opportunities to accumulate wealth, leading to the formation of a middle class with a certain level of economic power. However, as industry becomes highly advanced, wealth becomes hyper-concentrated in corporations with cutting-edge technology and immense capital, weakening the middle class and causing extreme polarization. This phenomenon is not unique to Korea but is a global trend. According to a 2016 Davos Forum report, 1% of the wealthy control over 50% of the world’s wealth. The difference in wealth growth rates also showed that while the wealth of these 1% increased by 224%, that of the remaining population increased by only 5%.

According to a 2015 statistic, 10% of the people in our country hold over 66% of the nation’s total wealth. A few years ago, the term “Hell Joseon” was popular in Korea, meaning a hellish Korea without hope. In a survey asking why people thought of Korea as “Hell Joseon” over 60% cited wealth disparity and imbalance, symbolized by “gold spoons” and “dirt spoons” as the reason. Has the situation of “Hell Joseon” improved since then? Far from it, it is a well-known fact that the despair of the homeless, including the younger generation, has only deepened due to the skyrocketing prices of real estate, such as housing.

Capitalism is an economic system dominated by capital, based on private property, where goods are produced to acquire profit. It is underpinned by individualism and self-interest, with a free market economy uncontrolled by the state as its foundation. The advantages of capitalism include respecting individual freedom, recognizing private property, allowing free economic activity, boosting work ethic to increase productivity, and fostering technological development. However, in addition to the problem of recurring economic cycles of recession and boom, capitalism has the severe problem of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, as mentioned earlier. After the IMF crisis, the collapse of the middle class in Korea further exacerbated this disparity.

If the Fourth Industrial Revolution accelerates without any modification to the current capitalist system, wealth disparity will intensify to an extreme degree incomparable to today, potentially leading to severe social unrest. It is no exaggeration to say that if we proceed into the Fourth Industrial Revolution era without any adjustments to the current capitalism, immense social conflict and even war are predicted between the few who possess advanced technology and the majority who do not. We must recognize that we are facing a planned capitalism that could plunge society into extreme chaos.

The Failure of Communism

Communism is an ideology that seeks to eliminate wealth disparities by rejecting private property and implementing a system of common ownership. It posits that workers remain poor despite their hard work because capitalists exploit the wealth that should belong to them. Therefore, it advocates for abolishing all private property, making all assets communal, and jointly managing production and distribution. Its founder was Karl Marx of Germany, and it is also known as Marxism, named after him.

In the early 20th century, Vladimir Lenin of the Soviet Union initiated the Communist Revolution, the Bolshevik Revolution, in Russia, giving birth to the first communist state. Subsequently, communist regimes were established in Eastern Europe, China, the Indochina Peninsula, and North Korea. Communists predicted that, with historical development, capitalism would eventually disappear from the Earth, and a communist society would emerge. However, communism disregarded human free will and self-interested tendencies, and by not recognizing private property, it led to a loss of work ethic and hindered technological development, resulting in decreased productivity and widespread poverty.

Ultimately, in the 1990s, the Soviet Union, the birthplace of communism, collapsed, and subsequently, Eastern European communist states also abandoned the communist system, marking its end. Although China’s political system remains socialist, its economy already operates under a capitalist system. While capitalism was predicted to fail, communism collapsed first. The communist system, established with much bloodshed under the banner of overcoming capital and class to build an egalitarian world, later showed a contradictory nature, with the Communist Party, such as Pol Pot’s regime in Cambodia in extreme cases, ruling over the vast majority of the populace and monopolizing wealth and power.

Fundamental Change: The Lost Way of Communism

Capitalism, which believed that an invisible hand of the market would ensure economic prosperity without government intervention, faced a major crisis with the Great Depression just before World War II. This crisis became the backdrop for the emergence of Keynesian modified capitalism, where the state intervenes in the market. It is a well-known fact that U.S. President Roosevelt adopted Keynes’s ideas and overcame the Great Depression through the New Deal policy, which aimed to create effective demand.

In the UK and Europe, under the slogan “From cradle to grave” states pursued welfare policies to complement the problems of capitalism, developing welfare capitalism. However, the UK eventually suffered from excessive welfare spending, leading to fiscal deficits and a loss of economic vitality. To make matters worse, it faced an economic crisis in the early 1970s due to stagflation caused by the oil shock. In response, the Hayekian neoliberal system, which reduced the role of government and strengthened market functions, emerged, with welfare policies being significantly curtailed under the Thatcher government’s “Thatcherism.”

Our country also adopted Thatcherism, including the IMF’s demands, during former President Kim Dae-jung’s administration. It implemented privatization policies and large-scale restructuring to overcome the IMF crisis that occurred during the previous Kim Young-sam administration. However, during this process, many companies went bankrupt or were taken over by foreign capital, leading to mass unemployment and a shrinking middle class. The inherent problem of capitalism, the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, continues to worsen day by day, along with industrial polarization.

The conclusion is that neither neoliberal modified capitalism nor British-style welfare capitalism has been able to resolve the problems of capitalism. Individualistic modified capitalism was more a means of sustaining capitalism to rescue an economy in depression rather than a solution for wealth disparity. Welfare capitalism, without an efficient way to develop the national economy and expand the pie, relied solely on global support to secure welfare funds, leading to economic stagnation, no increase in tax revenue, chronic fiscal deficits, and inevitable failure.

Middle-Class Centricism as the Solution

The problems of capitalism, which no system has solved until now, can be addressed by Middle-Class Centricism. The Middle-Class Centricism I advocate is a system that institutionally ensures 99% of the population becomes middle class. It is fundamentally different from individualistic modified capitalism, neoliberalism, or British-style welfare capitalism. Middle-Class Centricism can achieve both distribution and growth simultaneously. The specific implementation plans are the various measures mentioned earlier. When all these measures are implemented, they will operate as a perfect system that allows for both distribution and growth simultaneously, according to the mechanism.

This will not only reduce wealth disparity and achieve social equity but also enhance economic efficiency. This is something neither Keynes nor Hayek could accomplish. The vicious cycle where focusing on growth leads to distribution problems and increased wealth disparity, and focusing on distribution slows down growth, can be perfectly resolved by Middle-Class Centricism. The set of measures that make Middle-Class Centricism possible also avoids the problems caused by welfare systems. It is a plan to complete capitalism by maximizing its advantages, such as productivity, while resolving the capitalist evils of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

Furthermore, the Middle-Class Centricism plan can be considered the ultimate version of national welfare. Beveridge’s failed dream of making citizens’ lives happy through welfare policies that encompass their entire lives, “From cradle to grave” through the state, can be perfectly realized, even beyond his dreams, through the Middle-Class Centricism plan. Middle-Class Centricism is a groundbreaking solution that perfectly resolves the chronic problem of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer in capitalism, and it can be proudly claimed as the pinnacle of welfare.

2. The Values Pursued by Future Corporations

Recently, ESG has become an important consideration in corporate investment. ESG stands for Environment, Social, and Governance. This means that investors consider non-financial factors like ESG, along with financial elements, when deciding on corporate investments. They believe that a company’s governance structure and its impact on the environment and society are key variables for its long-term survival. When investors consider a company’s ESG performance in addition to its financial statements, it can incentivize companies to engage in activities that benefit society. It is a very desirable direction to use performance reflecting eco-friendly, social, and ethical values as key indicators when evaluating companies.

I believe that the state can be defined as a joint-stock company formed by a contract with its citizens. The Republic of Korea, in this sense, becomes “Republic of Korea Co., Ltd.” “Republic of Korea Co., Ltd.” can be described as a grand enterprise with all citizens as shareholders. However, it is not a traditional company focused on profit-seeking but rather resembles the companies of the coming future society that prioritize environment, society, and desirable governance structures.

“Republic of Korea Co., Ltd.” will not only take the lead in restoring and maintaining the environment through eco-friendly and co-prosperous measures but also fulfill its social responsibility by ensuring that all citizens can live a middle-class or higher standard of living. Furthermore, all public officials, including the President, the nation’s top leader, will work diligently as employees of the company for the shareholders, the citizens. The citizens, as shareholders, will take ownership and pay close attention to the management of the Republic of Korea, checking for wasted budgets, unnecessary projects, or any problems. In other words, the governance structure is an ideal one where all shareholders are central.

“Republic of Korea Co., Ltd.” which pursues coexistence and co-prosperity, is more eco-friendly and socially ethical than any other company in the world, valuing and practicing these values as the highest. It is the most desirable company where all citizens are shareholders and actual owners. A “Republic of Korea Co., Ltd.” that perfectly embodies these qualities is a future-oriented and ecologically-oriented company that perfectly aligns with the ideals of future companies preferred by today’s investors. It is the best company that fulfills its social responsibilities and possesses an ideal governance structure.

3. No Discrimination, No Reverse Discrimination

Regarding policies for women, I believe that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, currently the Ministry of Women and Family, and gender-sensitive budgeting should be abolished. Making such claims might lead some to view me as a male chauvinist or to misapprehend that I disparage women. However, that is absolutely not the case. For a long time, I have held the conviction that spouses should be in an equal relationship, that all people, regardless of gender, should receive fair treatment, and that women should not be discriminated against.

In fact, among several proposals, the dividend system, which provides a fixed monthly amount sufficient for living, was primarily designed with women in mind. As a child, I witnessed the arduous lives of neighborhood women for a long time. From waking up at dawn to fetch water and cooking for a large family of over ten, to helping with farm work during the day, and then weaving late into the night after dinner without rest, they toiled day and night. Seeing this, even as a child, I resolved that when I grew up, I would do something to make their lives easier.

Nowadays, women primarily manage household affairs. However, if a husband loses his job or fails in business and incurs heavy debts, the household managed by women immediately faces great difficulties. Even if they earn money themselves to put out urgent fires, it goes without saying that it would be far from enough to maintain their previous standard of living. While the husband’s suffering is similar, it is the wife who immediately feels the hardship of reality.

However, if a fixed monthly amount, sufficient for living, is paid, even if the husband unintentionally loses his job or fails in business, a minimum of 3 million won will still come in. While not luxurious, it would alleviate worries about food or sudden increases in children’s tuition fees. Furthermore, this payment is protected from seizure, so creditors like the state or banks cannot arbitrarily take it. This system, which provides a fixed monthly amount sufficient for living, is fundamentally designed to relieve the anxiety and stress of women managing households and enable them to run their families with peace of mind.

When I was young, studying Confucianism at a traditional school, I was scolded by my teacher for the first and last time. The reason was that I questioned the character for “husband and wife” “夫婦”. At the time, I argued that since husband and wife are equal, it was wrong to create the character for “husband” “夫” in a way that suggests it is higher than the heavens, while the character for “wife” “婦” implies a woman holding a broom and cleaning. My teacher then hit my calf with a rod and severely reprimanded me. However, even now, my belief that husband and wife are equal remains unchanged.

The characters for husband and wife, when viewed in their original meaning, show the sun and moon side by side. The sun, which rises during the day, symbolizes the man, and the moon, which appears at night, symbolizes the woman. The sun and moon placed side by side form the character for “bright” “Light”. If the character for “moon” “月” were placed below the character for “sun” “日”, it would not create “brightness.” Just as the characters for “brightness” “Light” show, a household becomes bright when husband and wife are in an equal relationship.

When considering brightness, one might instinctively think that the daytime, when the sun is out, is much brighter than the nighttime, when the moon is out. However, this is not true. If the standard of brightness is one’s immediate surroundings, then day is brighter. But if the standard is the distant sky filled with twinkling stars, then night is much brighter. Just as the sun and moon illuminate day and night, when men and women form an equal relationship, not a hierarchical one, respecting each other and achieving harmony, the home becomes bright and filled with warmth.

I have also pointed out flaws in the Confucian “Three Bonds and Five Relationships” “Three綱五倫”. As is well known, the Three Bonds state that the ruler is the guide for the subject, the husband for the wife, and parents for their children. Among these, my argument is that the bond between husband and wife “夫爲婦綱” is incorrect. Husband and wife should be equal; elevating one over the other is problematic. The specific expressions of the Three Bonds are the Five Relationships, but the husband-wife bond in the Three Bonds and the distinction between husband and wife in the Five Relationships “夫婦有別” do not align, making the Three Bonds and Five Relationships themselves contradictory.

“夫婦有別” means there is an inviolable distinction between husband and wife, where “別” refers to the relationship between in-laws. The relationship between in-laws is equal, not hierarchical. Therefore, it is incorrect to express the Five Relationships as an equal relationship of “夫婦有別” while the Three Bonds express a hierarchical relationship of “夫爲婦綱.” Husband and wife are naturally distinct. This is because, even before being husband and wife, they are biologically different as male and female. It is unreasonable to ask a husband to bear a child or to ask a wife to perform tasks requiring great strength.

Traditionally, husbands primarily worked outside the home to earn money, while wives were responsible for household management and raising children within the home. This is a natural division of roles and should not be seen as discrimination. The universe contains the principles of Minus and Plus and the Five Elements, and humans are no exception. Biologically, we are made that way. As seen in the character for “bright” “Light”, the sun and moon are in a MinusPlus relationship and are equal, yet they have different appearances. Temporally, the sun is active during the bright day and disappears at night. Conversely, the moon is active at night.

If the sun and moon are parents, the Earth can be likened to a child. The sun simply needs to illuminate the Earth consistently every day. The moon, on the other hand, constantly changes, moving the ocean tides to keep the sea alive and imparting the Earth’s biological rhythm to allow living creatures to thrive. By fulfilling their respective roles differently, the sun and moon create harmony, sustaining the living entity that is Earth and allowing all kinds of life to exist within it. Spatially, the sun works from afar, and the moon works from nearby, creating the optimal environment for Earth. From Earth, the sun and moon appear to be almost the same size.

This applies directly to human society. The husband’s main sphere of activity is outside the home. He can be active outside, speak loudly, and assert himself. However, once he enters the home, it is the wife’s domain. The home is the wife’s ground. For the home to be stable and harmonious, the wife must be comfortable and the mother stable. This means the center of the family is the wife, not the husband. A husband who tries to dominate his wife or raises his voice at home is an incompetent husband.

The wife also needs the wisdom to uphold her husband’s dignity when outside the home. This is not a matter of equality but a natural principle for achieving harmony between husband and wife and building a harmonious family. Just like the apparent size of the sun and moon from Earth, parents also hold almost similar importance. Meanwhile, the distinction between husband and wife refers to differences in their roles within the family, not their roles in social life. It goes without saying that anyone, male or female, can engage in social activities, and there should be no restrictions on their roles or positions.

Women, too, can rise to high positions based on their abilities, and there should be no restrictions on the work they do. The Republic of Korea guarantees equal rights for all citizens and the freedom to choose one’s profession. Therefore, equality policies should not lead to gender discrimination. The reasons for abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and gender-sensitive budgeting are related to issues of fairness and equity. Just as women should not be discriminated against, other genders should not be discriminated against for not being women.

The fundamental principle that allows our society to function healthily is fairness. Our Constitution, in Article 11, Paragraph 1, also stipulates that all citizens are equal before the law and that no one shall be discriminated against in all areas of political, economic, social, or cultural life on account of gender, religion, or social status. However, establishing a Ministry of Gender Equality and Family or allocating gender-sensitive budgets can be seen as discriminating against genders other than women. If only one gender is assertd, the other may relatively suffer disadvantages, and there will inevitably be backlash.

If something is absolutely necessary for women, there is no need to create a separate gender-sensitive budget; the relevant department should simply allocate and execute the budget. For example, in the case of men’s and women’s restrooms, if it is deemed necessary to install more stalls in women’s restrooms compared to men’s restrooms, which have separate urinals, then it should be done. However, there is no reason to publicly designate such obvious things as gender-sensitive budgets and allocate them separately.

The continued existence of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family infringes upon citizens’ rights to equality and freedom. For government ministries, it would be fair to also have a Ministry of Men, a Ministry of Children, and a Ministry of the Elderly. The very existence of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family violates gender equality and the freedom to live freely. Democracy has three major principles: the principle of the pursuit of happiness, the principle of human dignity, and the principle of absolute fairness. The existence of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family violates all these principles.

It goes against the principle of absolute fairness that all citizens should receive absolutely equal treatment, and distinguishing between men and women goes against the principles of human dignity and the right of everyone to pursue happiness. The state must not infringe upon or violate the rights of citizens guaranteed by the Constitution and the principles of democracy.

An Inappropriate Ministry of Gender Equality and Family

Another reason for abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is that establishing a central ministry with a massive budget, comparable to the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Public Administration, for the protection of women’s rights is considered inappropriate. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is a central administrative agency of the state, with a minister as its head. Central administrative agencies include the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Interior and Safety, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, all of which target the entire nation and its citizens.

Although the Ministry of Women recently changed its name to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and now also handles family and youth issues, it is still not suitable as a central ministry because it excludes men, who constitute half of the population. It is natural for the state to show great concern for issues faced by women as social minorities, such as domestic violence and sexual violence, and to establish measures and strive for the welfare and protection of women’s rights. However, these issues are not new topics and were originally handled by the Ministry of Health and Welfare; they are within the scope of the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s policies. There is no reason to establish a separate central ministry, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which is inappropriate in scale, thereby wasting budget and causing social discontent. The current Ministry of Gender Equality and Family should be abolished, and a responsible department within the Ministry of Health and Welfare would suffice.

Balanced Policies Achieving Integration

People are naturally sensitive to discrimination. In the past, it was common for daughters to suffer severe neglect from their families simply for being daughters, and many women carried this wound throughout their lives. Discrimination is that hurtful. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family established by the state or national policies solely for women can hurt men, especially young men, including teenagers. Just as past family discrimination against daughters and social discrimination against women caused severe wounds to women, national policies aimed at eliminating gender discrimination can, in turn, cause reverse discrimination and feelings of alienation in other genders.

I believe this possibility is actually becoming a reality. This can be easily seen from the overflowing online content where men express overt hostility towards the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and criticize women’s policies. Their feelings towards the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and women’s policies have progressed beyond dissatisfaction to outright misogyny. The more serious problem, however, is that women, not to be outdone, are also engaging in misandrist remarks, creating a deep chasm of conflict between men and women. National policies should not provoke severe conflict between genders.

the cause of this phenomenon cannot be attributed solely to the state’s establishment of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and women’s policies, but it is undeniable that a significant portion stems from the establishment of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family or biased policies. The state has a responsibility to enhance the happiness and quality of life of all citizens. Therefore, rather than highlighting a specific gender, it should pursue balanced policies that encompass all citizens. In cases where there may be conflicting positions among policy targets, such as gender equality issues, state policies must be even more cautious.

It is crucial to maintain balance, especially in sensitive matters where interests conflict, as losing balance can lead to severe social conflict and national division. Among the efforts to achieve gender equality, creating laws that provide subsidies to political parties that nominate more than 30% women candidates for general elections, or mandating a certain percentage of women in ministerial or parliamentary positions, and even forcing private companies to adopt gender quotas, are also problematic. I am aware that these measures were intended to change a social climate where it was difficult for women to advance to high positions, but it is not a good approach.

This is an area that should be achieved through education and social awareness, rather than laws or policies, even if it takes more time. Furthermore, social advancement should ideally be achieved through fair competition, regardless of gender. Policies that appear to grant special privileges to one gender are likely to cause misconstrual or backlash. It is worth considering the abolition of military service bonus points, which were granted to men who fulfilled their national defense duty, on the grounds that they violated the principle of equality in the Constitution.

Simply imitating other countries’ quota systems is also not the right approach. There is no guarantee that what other countries do is necessarily correct. Society’s rules must be fair. If fairness is lost, someone will inevitably feel dissatisfied, which can ultimately lead to conflict or social unrest. It is obvious that social stability and integration will be undermined. Therefore, policies biased towards a specific gender are undesirable, whether from the perspective of constitutional compliance or social integration.

It is certainly desirable for women to actively participate in various social fields, demonstrating their talents and abilities. It is natural that there should be no discrimination between men and women in this regard. However, instead of creating exceptional legal provisions like gender quotas for this purpose, it is better to change people’s perceptions through education at home, in schools, and in society. We must consider that creating mandatory provisions that can be perceived as reverse discrimination against men can provoke social conflict and undermine women’s self-esteem. It must be remembered that state intervention, even to the extent of granting institutional privileges to eliminate discrimination, actually infringes upon the right to equality and only fuels social conflict.

The Gender-Sensitive Budget That Must Be Abolished

I would like to address the gender-sensitive budget, which is allocated in relation to gender equality policies. While the gender-sensitive budget is said to be prepared for the purpose of achieving gender equality, I find its very existence questionable, and its scale is astonishing. In 2020 alone, an astronomical budget of approximately 30 trillion won was reportedly executed under the name of gender sensitivity. In the same year, our national defense budget was about 50 trillion won. I cannot apprehend if gender inequality in our country is truly as serious a problem as national defense.

Compared to the Ministry of Justice’s budget, one can truly grasp how enormous this amount is. The Ministry of Justice plays a crucial role in upholding the nation’s laws and protecting citizens from crime, yet its annual budget was only about 3 trillion won. some budget is necessary for gender equality. However, I cannot possibly comprehend why an astronomical amount of 32 trillion won needs to be spent.

Korea’s gender-sensitive budget was first introduced in 2010, with an allocated budget of only 7.5 trillion won. However, this budget has increased year after year, reaching 31.7 trillion won in 2020. In just 10 years, it has surged to an astronomical amount, more than four times its original size. According to the 2021 Gender-Sensitive Budget Analysis Report published by the National Assembly Budget Office, 34.931 trillion won was allocated in 2021, an increase of 3.2 trillion won from the previous year. At this rate, it is expected to approach 50 trillion won by around 2025. It is simply astounding.

There are further problems. The gender-sensitive budget is distributed among about 60 ministries, but it is unclear where and how it is being used. Looking at the budget execution details for 2020, the Ministry of Science and ICT received 246.8 billion won under the pretext of fostering female scientists and engineers. However, only about 20% of that large sum was actually used for that purpose. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups also received 256.1 billion won, ostensibly to support female small and medium-sized entrepreneurs. However, the actual beneficiaries were only 31 people, accounting for merely 3.3% of the allocated budget.

In addition, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport received 2.8 billion won under the pretext of training female pilots. the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Interior and Safety also receive large sums, but the details remain equally ambiguous. According to one media report’s analysis, 450 billion won of the gender-sensitive budget was used for urban regeneration projects, 2.7 billion won for SME regulatory impact assessments, and about 400 million won for science classroom operating funds.

Urban regeneration projects are thought to be about reconstructing urban infrastructure to be women-friendly. I do not think that is an entirely unnecessary task. However, considering the material difficulties our citizens and families are currently facing, and serious social problems like the declining birth rate, dismantling and rebuilding existing national facilities cannot be an urgent priority and should not be a priority in budget execution. Furthermore, the execution of gender-sensitive budgets for SME regulatory impact assessments and science classrooms is utterly incomprehensible in its relation to gender inequality issues. The scale and use of the gender-sensitive budget are problematic, and its public diversion is an even greater issue.

The Kyung gi Women and Family Foundation website contains a report on the results of the Gender-Sensitive Budget Policy Cooperation Forum held by the Kyung gi Family and Women Research Institute in December 2020. Among them, a survey on public officials’ perceptions of gender-sensitive budget projects particularly stands out. It was a survey on what public officials think when executing gender-sensitive budgets and how they execute them. An analysis of the responses from the surveyed public officials reveals many problems in the execution of gender-sensitive budgets. Problems are evident from the selection of target projects to project selection, family support, and post-support management.

In the selection of target projects, projects with low relevance to gender equality or those unlikely to show improvement effects are included. In the project selection process, projects are sometimes selected based on allocation rather than considering the project content, or even based solely on the project’s name. This clearly shows how haphazardly the gender-sensitive budget is being managed and executed. Furthermore, responses indicate that support methods are limited to providing subsidies, suggesting that budget execution ends with simply giving money, without proper monitoring of how it is actually used or what results it achieves.

For me, policies related to the gender-sensitive budget are hastily conceived policies to meet the numerical gender equality standards of OECD countries, without a process of gaining public consensus, and are nothing more than haphazard budget planning and execution. In this situation, it is obvious how much national budget will be wasted and diverted to inappropriate places. The legal basis for the execution of the gender-sensitive budget is Article 26 of the National Finance Act and Article 36-2 of the Local Finance Act. These are, of course, legal provisions passed by the National Assembly. I find it difficult to accept whether it is right to plan and execute national budgets, which are made up of citizens’ taxes, so irresponsibly.

Planning a budget for which the use is unclear, and then finding places to spend that budget to execute it—this astronomical gender-sensitive budget, whose exact use is hard to ascertain, must be abolished as soon as possible.

4. Abolition of Prisons and Wealth-Proportional Fines

For a long time, I have advocated for the abolition of prisons in our country. This is because I believe that prisons are not fulfilling their intended role at all. They are not correctional facilities but rather “crime education centers.” What does “correction” mean? It means to set right and guide. However, the prisons I know are not places where correction occurs; instead, they resemble sites for crime education. I am not saying that correctional officers provide crime education. Crime education refers to the natural learning of criminal methods that occurs among inmates housed in the same facility.

It is not that correctional officers do not provide counseling to inmates. However, such counseling does not have a significant impact on them. In the same cell, various types of prisoners are housed, ranging from petty offenders with relatively minor offenses to serious criminals convicted of robbery, rape, and murder. Among them are first-time offenders and habitual offenders with ten or more previous convictions. Among these inmates, a hierarchy naturally forms based on the length of their incarceration, criminal record, and type of crime, and their own rules are established.

Aside from brief periods of exercise and labor at designated times, they are confined together in a small room. Consequently, inmates naturally ask each other about the crimes they committed and how they did it, and they even boast about their own past offenses and methods in great detail. Inmates naturally acquire various criminal techniques. Someone who only knew rudimentary methods learns sophisticated criminal techniques, and even those who committed crimes impulsively occasionally, upon repeatedly hearing habitual offenders boast about their criminal exploits, become desensitized to the guilt of crime.

Therefore, upon release, they are more likely to commit crimes again, using the methods they learned. They also naturally exchange contact information, increasing the possibility of committing crimes together after release. When they return to society after serving their sentences, society does not warmly welcome them. This is apprehendable, as it is impossible to trust when and what crime they might commit again. The stigma of a criminal record also hinders employment. Ultimately, a vicious cycle occurs where they commit greater crimes using the criminal methods learned in prison to make a living.

In some cases, they even conspire to commit more serious crimes while still in prison. Thus, prisons often become not places of correction but rather sites for crime education, where inmates learn criminal methods to commit more heinous offenses. The fact that this situation persists, and correctional administration continues as it is, demonstrates how deeply entrenched in inertia our society is regarding public safety and the use of national budget.

Most people might think that prison is a very miserable place, but that is not entirely true. Although they sleep in confined spaces and live deprived of freedom, their lives are not as wretched as the average person might imagine. Moreover, with the strengthening of inmates’ human rights, prison environments have significantly improved. In such an environment, I believe that people who struggle to make a living outside might intentionally commit crimes to return to prison after serving their sentences. It is a place where they are fed three meals a day on time, given a place to sleep, clothed, and allowed to exercise to stay healthy.

Therefore, I advocate for the abolition of all prisons nationwide, except for one or two facilities to house serious criminals. It costs approximately 25 million won per year to manage one inmate. Multiplying this by the number of inmates nationwide amounts to an enormous sum of money. There is no reason to spend this enormous amount of money on prisons that, far from achieving their original purpose, instead become places for transmitting criminal methods. Considering that prisons have more negative functions than positive ones, it would be far better to cease operating them as they are now, if money is abundant.

The Justification of the Wealth-Proportional Fine System

Even now, fines constitute a major form of punishment, accounting for approximately 8-10% of all criminal cases as of 2015. The advantages of fines include avoiding the harm of transmitting criminal methods associated with prison incarceration, ease of execution, and low execution costs. However, in Korea, the fine system is a lump-sum fine system, where the same fine is imposed for the same crime regardless of the offender’s wealth, and failure to pay the fine results in detention in a labor facility.

The lump-sum fine system can be a harsh punishment for those without assets, but it may have no punitive effect on the wealthy. Furthermore, if fines are not paid, they are replaced by detention in a labor facility, which can lead to the same problems as prison incarceration. Therefore, I believe that a wealth-proportional fine system should be implemented instead of the current lump-sum fine system. Moreover, comprehension what “benefit” means helps to grasp why the wealth-proportional fine system is an equitable system.

Let’s say a delivery driver with assets of about 30 million won and a wealthy individual with hundreds of billions of won in assets both commit the same traffic light violation. In terms of equality before the law, it would be correct for both to pay the same fine of about 70,000 won. However, that amount is most of a day’s wages for the delivery driver, but it is pocket change for the wealthy individual. For the delivery driver, 70,000 won is a severe punishment that nullifies the hard labor of carrying heavy packages, causing significant mental distress.

However, for the wealthy individual with hundreds of billions of won, a 70,000 won fine is pocket change, so it cannot be considered a punishment. It does not instill any sense of caution or warning to be careful about future traffic light violations. Therefore, even for the same offense, the level of punishment should differ for the delivery driver and the wealthy individual. For a traffic light violation, imposing a fine of about 10,000 won on the delivery driver and at least 10 million won on the wealthy individual would achieve a similar punitive effect in terms of suffering. This is truly equitable and fair treatment.

Although I proposed this wealth-proportional fine system a long time ago, it has not even been discussed in Korea until recently, while other countries have been implementing similar fine systems. In Finland, a wealthy individual caught speeding is fined approximately 63 million won. In the United States, one must pay at least 1.1 million won. For drunk driving, the fine can be as high as 5.8 million won. These countries also believe that it is fair to impose higher fines on wealthy individuals who commit crimes.

Furthermore, from the perspective of guaranteeing the right to survival, where the state must enable citizens to make a living, it is right to punish minor offenses committed by ordinary people due to livelihood concerns with leniency. However, wealthy individuals are those who have accumulated wealth thanks to the infrastructure provided by the state and the economic activities of the people, so their social responsibility and obligations are also great. Therefore, when such individuals violate the law, the punishment must be commensurate with their social responsibility and obligations.

The wealth-proportional fine system can also achieve the effect of wealth redistribution. In summary, the wealth-proportional fine system imposes fines according to the level of wealth. It imposes smaller fines for offenses committed by ordinary people due to livelihood concerns and larger fines as wealth increases. It is a system that promotes fairness and considers social responsibility.

Some people express concern that if the prison system is abolished, criminals will roam the streets, causing insecurity. This may seem true at first glance, but it is not. Even if the prison system is abolished, one or two facilities for life-sentenced criminals will remain, so dangerous felons who pose a significant threat to society will naturally be isolated. Those who commit crimes such as murder, rape, and robbery will all be incarcerated and receive severe punishment.

The cases where individuals are not imprisoned but punished with fines are for relatively minor offenses committed by so-called petty criminals, such as economic offenders, drug offenders, traffic offenders, and fraudsters. Therefore, even if these criminals or offenders remain in society, they do not pose a threat to public safety. Dangerous criminals will not be released into society until they have fully paid for their crimes, and fine-only offenders will not be provided with time and place to be together, thus preventing them from learning more criminal methods and committing further crimes.

Furthermore, while inmates incarcerated together in prison can conspire to commit crimes, fine-only offenders do not gather together, so there is no opportunity to conspire for joint crimes. Therefore, there is no need to worry that criminals will roam the streets and make society insecure. Abolishing prisons can actually lower the crime rate and lead to a safer society.

In a capitalist society, imposing fines can create a significant burden, which is expected to have a good punitive effect. If individuals refuse to pay fines, they can be dealt with through mediation, or measures such as asset seizure can be taken. Since it is a wealth-proportional fine, there will be very few cases where individuals cannot pay the fine due to lack of money. In cases where individuals have assets but claim not to, or underreport or falsely report them, thorough investigations will be conducted to ascertain the truth, and strong measures may be taken if false reporting is proven.

For this system to be implemented, various scenarios may arise, requiring further specific legal amendments and reinforcements to ensure there are no loopholes. However, from an overall perspective, the abolition of the prison system and the wealth-proportional fine system are expected to bring about a groundbreaking transformation in terms of punitive effect, national budget savings, and the realization of social equity.

5. Abolition of Property Tax and Market Autonomy for Real Estate Policy

To build a more advanced nation, where the government provides more benefits to citizens and establishes a safe and convenient social infrastructure, it is necessary to secure as much tax revenue as possible for planning and executing the necessary budget. However, there is one principle that the government must keep in mind: the principle that taxes should be collected while enabling businesses and individuals to earn money well. The state’s support must come first, with citizens being favorable towards taxes. If there is sufficient profit even after paying taxes, not many citizens will resist taxes.

Our citizens have a strong, overarching sense of national interest rather than just self-interest. This was evident during the 1997 IMF crisis when the nation was on the verge of bankruptcy, and all citizens participated in a gold-collecting campaign to overcome the crisis. The problem, however, is taxes that must be paid even without income. Property tax and vehicle ownership tax, for example, must be paid even when no additional income is generated.

In our country, there are taxes that must be paid even without income. These are property taxes, such as comprehensive real estate tax, and vehicle ownership tax, which are levied simply for owning real estate or a car. These taxes violate the first principle of taxation, “where there is income, there is tax.” Therefore, they can be considered unfairly collected taxes by the state or local governments. These taxes cause great suffering to the people. While these annual taxes may not be a big problem for those who have income from other sources and can pay them from that income, for example, for people who own only one house and have no income, property tax imposition is a great hardship.

This can lead to situations where they have to take out loans or sell their homes to pay taxes. Paying taxes on home ownership is akin to living in a state-owned house and paying monthly rent, or the state gradually taking away citizens’ property. We pay acquisition tax when we acquire real estate. And we pay capital gains tax when we sell it. That should be enough. The same applies to vehicle ownership tax. It is an unfair tax to collect taxes twice a year for simply owning a used car worth 1 million won. Paying acquisition tax and registration tax when buying a car, and capital gains tax when selling it, should be sufficient.

If the logic of ownership tax were applied consistently, we would also have to collect a mobile phone ownership tax. I believe that these unfair property taxes and vehicle ownership taxes should be completely abolished. Taxation must be fair, just, and rational. Collecting taxes simply for ownership is an unfair double taxation. Property taxes on land, houses, and real estate, as well as vehicle ownership taxes, are all unfair taxes.

Some argue that since real estate prices are excessively rising, property taxes should be heavily imposed to curb the increase. This argument is illogical. If that logic were true, then the state should compensate for excessive declines in real estate prices. This is an absurd argument. Property taxes should be abolished, and speculative real estate purchases can be controlled by other methods, such as adjusting capital gains tax rates. Real estate policy should be left to market autonomy.

Recently, the government has been preparing new legislation to raise the comprehensive real estate tax. The plan was to increase the comprehensive real estate tax by up to 90%. Perhaps due to strong public criticism, it has recently shown some signs of backing down. If the comprehensive real estate tax were to be pushed through as in the original amendment, it would be difficult to avoid criticism for pursuing a policy that raises ownership taxes when they should be abolished. It is obvious that citizens who own real estate would face a tax bomb.

The government may have several reasons for pursuing such a policy. However, trying to curb housing price increases with taxes is a miscalculation. The increased comprehensive real estate tax will be passed on to housing prices, and gradually, the availability of jeonse “lump-sum deposit housing” will disappear, and monthly rent will become more common, making housing problems more difficult for ordinary people. Instead of stabilizing housing for ordinary people by curbing housing price increases, it could lead to results completely opposite to the intention.

Immediately, the elderly living on fixed pensions without other income might lose sleep worrying about taxes. Homeowners whose income has stopped due to retirement might be forced to sell their homes. The government exists for the people. It is very wrong for the government, which acts as a manager on behalf of the people, not to implement policies that trouble its citizens, who are the owners.

They might argue that it is a voice for resolving wealth disparity, a chronic problem in our society, and realizing distributive justice, but even so, the method is incorrect. Imposing excessive taxes even on ordinary people who own one apartment does not align with distributive justice. The real estate market should fundamentally be left to market autonomy. It is not good for the state to intervene in the market, whether prices rise or not. The state can adjust capital gains tax rates and receive a corresponding capital gains tax when properties are sold later.

I also believe there is no reason for all citizens to live in expensive areas like Gangnam. It is enough if they can live comfortably and stably in a small apartment without suffering from housing problems. In the case of capital gains tax, I believe it is good to exempt single homeowners, help ordinary people achieve their dream of owning a home, and adjust capital gains tax to curb only speculative home purchases. As a housing supply measure, with the increasing number of single-person households, I believe that supplying millions of small rental and for-sale housing units of less than 10 pyeong “approx. 33 sq. meters” in line with this trend would largely resolve the housing problem.

I fundamentally advocate for a capitalist free market economy. Communism is an economic system that is bound to fail in terms of productivity and efficiency. However, capitalism has the drawback of exacerbating the rich-get-richer, poor-get-poorer phenomenon, so my idea is to eliminate this drawback in capitalism. That is Middle-Class Centricism, which is based on capitalism’s free market economy but resolves capitalism’s weakness of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, ensuring that all citizens can live at least a middle-class standard of living. it would be good if those with ability could live even better.

A world without a poor class, where there are only middle-class people and up to the wealthy, is a Middle-Class Centric society. In a Middle-Class Centric society, there can be wealthy neighborhoods where rich people live, and places where only middle-class people gather. there can also be neighborhoods where everyone is mixed. In a Middle-Class Centric society, everyone can enjoy a satisfying life without relative deprivation. In a society where the wealthy pay a lot of taxes, and everyone lives well thanks to that, there will be no hatred for the wealthy. I believe a social atmosphere will be created where the wealthy can earn respect from society in exchange for paying a lot of taxes.

Collecting Taxes After Increasing Wealth

The easiest way for the government to secure tax revenue is through tax increases. This involves raising income tax rates, increasing the comprehensive real estate tax to collect more from real estate owners, or raising corporate tax rates to collect more from businesses. It goes without saying that tax increases place a greater burden on citizens and businesses. I believe that while tax increases may be necessary in some cases, methods that minimize the burden on citizens while securing tax revenue should be pursued as much as possible.

In our society, tax evasion and leakage are widespread, both knowingly and unknowingly. I believe that these illegal activities must be prevented to increase tax revenue. Furthermore, new tax sources must be created to secure tax revenue. Our society has many hidden aspects, including economic activities that are deemed illegal and conducted underground. Legalizing socially acceptable underground economic activities to create new tax sources is also a viable method.

One such activity is that of so-called “brokers.” If this is legalized and even encouraged to operate in a wide range of social sectors, taxes that could not be collected from income until now can be collected. By expanding this to a wide range of sectors, the number of people engaged in this profession will increase, leading to a significant increase in tax revenue. And most importantly, a crucial way to increase tax revenue is for the state to institutionally support businesses and individuals in their endeavors, thereby increasing profits and expanding the economic scale. In other words, it is about collecting taxes after wealth has been generated. If taxes are increased when citizens are struggling and businesses are facing difficulties, it can be a more severe tax than being devoured by a tiger.

6. No More Forced Sacrifices from Youth

When I served in the military in 2000, it had been less than 20 years since the Korean War and the armistice. It was natural for any man, unless he was an only son, to serve in the military. Economically, it was a time when we were struggling to overcome poverty. Our country, which was one of the poorest in the world, was just beginning to export and its economy was starting to grow. Soldiers had no choice but to serve with patriotism alone. The birth rate was high, and families had many children. Even with conscription, there was no shortage of industrial labor. Soldiers also contributed to national economic development. It is a well-known fact that the funds for constructing the Gyeongbu Expressway were raised by our soldiers participating in the Vietnam War. Conscription was a global phenomenon, and there was no need to question it.

However, circumstances have changed significantly now. Since achieving remarkable economic growth through the Miracle on the Han River, our economy is currently ranked among the top 10 in the world, and our per capita gross national income has exceeded $30,000. Even countries with much smaller economies can transition to a volunteer military system, let alone our economic power. Moreover, with the continuously decreasing birth rate, each family has only one or two children. Previously, only sons were exempt from military service, but now, every young man, unless there is a special disqualifying reason, must go to the military.

Due to these circumstances, military service corruption is rampant. Many people are not suited for military life. Compulsory military service, which is not desired by the individual, causes significant psychological stress. There are many side effects from forcing people who do not want to go into the military. Gun accidents and suicides within the military are constant problems. Until constitutional appeals were accepted, there were also cases where individuals became criminals due to refusing enlistment for religious reasons.

For a long time, I have believed that our country’s military system should be changed from conscription to a volunteer system. This has been my stance for over 30 years. A volunteer system refers to a system where personnel are recruited to serve as soldiers. This means replacing conscripted soldiers with professional soldiers who are recruited and paid approximately 2 million won per month. However, all individuals of conscription age, regardless of gender, would be required to undergo one month of basic military training.

During basic military training, they would learn how to shoot a gun, throw a grenade, and so on. During this period, they would also be paid approximately 2 million won per month. Women would also undergo mandatory training, avoiding periods of physical discomfort. This is because, in case of an emergency, women should at least know how to shoot a gun to protect themselves and their families. The 2 million won monthly salary for a volunteer soldier may seem small at first glance, but when combined with a fixed high-income payment system like the national dividend system, it becomes a considerable amount.

Many countries worldwide have transitioned from conscription to a volunteer system. The United States had conscription until the early 1970s after the Cold War, but as social opposition to conscription grew due to the Vietnam War, which yielded little results and caused great sacrifices for soldiers, they abolished conscription after withdrawing from Vietnam. China, the UK, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia, India, and Thailand also have volunteer systems. Although they have volunteer systems, with the exception of some countries, they either switch to conscription in emergencies like major wars or require all individuals of conscription age to complete one to two months of basic military training.

No Unconditional Sacrifice

A newspaper reporter once asked the Vatican: “Does the Pope receive a salary?” The financial officer replied, “Why wouldn’t he? Even the Pope, who performs the most sacred work on Earth, receives a proper salary.” However, in our country, under the pretext of performing a sacred duty, young people are forced into the military to defend the nation, but they are paid a meager salary. As everyone knows, the country is not so poor that it cannot afford to pay them properly. On the contrary, it is a wealthy nation with the 10th largest economy in the world.

In 2016, a sergeant’s monthly salary was 216,000 won. That was for a sergeant; ordinary soldiers received much less. After military salaries became a social issue, they were significantly increased in 2018 to 405,700 won for a sergeant, and then to 541,800 won in 2020. It goes without saying that this amount is still far below the minimum wage. The national economy has developed remarkably, but the treatment of soldiers has remained stagnant.

How long will the state continue to demand sacrifices from young people under the plausible pretext of the sacred duty of national defense? It has also been a long time since military service bonus points, which were given for social advancement after discharge, were abolished based on a court ruling that they violated the constitutional right to equality. It is only right to compensate military service, at least economically. In 2020, the military service period for active-duty soldiers was 18 months for the Army and Marine Corps, and 20 months and 20 days for the Navy and Air Force, respectively.

Demanding unconditional sacrifice without any benefits during the period of defending the nation is an anachronistic way of thinking that does not align with the principles of democracy or capitalism. In feudal times, the state could conscript and force labor on its people at will, but now is a democratic era where citizens’ rights are guaranteed by the Constitution. Young people are also citizens of the Republic of Korea and must have their rights guaranteed. Their rights cannot be suspended even during military service. Soldiers also have the right to receive fair compensation for performing the sacred duty of defending the nation.

Even the Pope, monks in temples, and pastors in churches, who perform sacred duties, do not offer their services for free without any compensation. The sacred duty of national defense should not be demanded for free. People feel a sense of accomplishment when they do good deeds, but they work harder when they receive some compensation for their work. If only sacrifice is demanded, people often do it reluctantly, and morale naturally declines. The same applies to military culture. Appropriate compensation should be paid to boost military morale.

In fact, Korea’s current conscription system has continued since the Japanese colonial period. During World War II, totalitarian Japan, which attacked Pearl Harbor and started the Pacific War, forcibly conscripted our Korean people into the war under the pretext of a “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere” and the claim that Koreans and Japanese shared a common ancestry. They also forced Koreans into labor in mines and factories producing military supplies. This framework of forced conscription and forced labor continued after liberation as conscription, leading to the mindset that it is natural for citizens to be mobilized for the state and sacrifice without compensation, which persists to this day. This is a mindset that must be eradicated and a harmful practice that must be abolished.

Treatment and Compensation for Veterans

The combat power of the United States, which operates a volunteer military system, is globally recognized as formidable. The exceptional treatment of American veterans plays a significant role in this. The United States treats soldiers who die or are wounded in war as patriotic heroes and provides ample compensation. Even if they are sacrificed in combat, their families receive substantial compensation, so there is no need to worry about their families. Such national treatment boosts military morale and instills patriotism in soldiers, serving as a driving force for enhancing combat power.

Soldiers under conscription, who are forcibly drafted and receive extremely low pay, find it difficult to show loyalty. Therefore, if soldiers who were forcibly dragged into a battlefield where bullets are flying were to desert, who could blame them? With a volunteer system, similar to the United States, if soldiers die or are wounded in war, the state should treat them as patriots and provide ample compensation to boost military morale and foster patriotism among service members. This would allow us to create a military with stronger combat power, even with fewer numbers than under conscription.

In this context, it is also necessary to consider compensating veterans of the Korean War and the Vietnam War with approximately 500 million won per person. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide similar compensation to Korean miners and nurses dispatched to Germany. All of them sacrificed their lives when the nation was in difficulty and contributed greatly to the nation’s rise. The amount of 500 million won is the unpaid salary that Vietnam War veterans did not properly receive from the state.

When the Korean government and the U.S. government negotiated Korea’s participation in the Vietnam War, one of the conditions put forward by our government was that Korean soldiers should receive the same pay as U.S. soldiers. However, at that time, Korea was just beginning its economic development and needed enormous funds. only 10% of the amount provided by the U.S. was paid to the participating soldiers, and the remaining amount was used for construction and economic development, such as building the Gyeongbu Expressway. In a way, it can be said that the significant development of our country was largely due to the sacrifices of the Vietnam War veterans.

However, it is unacceptable that our country, which has become so prosperous today, has not returned the unpaid salaries of Vietnam War veterans. I believe that money must be returned. And it is only natural to provide equivalent compensation to Korean War veterans. Furthermore, a fixed amount should be regularly paid as a token of gratitude for their dedication. If a veteran has already passed away, the money should be given to their family.

Meanwhile, if a volunteer military system is implemented, it is also necessary to consider providing a certain level of compensation to soldiers who served the nation under the conscription system for their dedication during their military service period. However, considering the national budget, if those who were discharged within 10 years are paid in cash, and those who were discharged 11 years or more ago receive bonds that can be redeemed after a certain period, there will be no strain on budget procurement. I believe this is something the state should naturally do.

This is because it is not the state’s duty to ignore and provide no compensation to citizens who dedicated 3 years and 6 months to 2 years of their lives, a crucial period, for the nation and its people. Considering the minimum wage standard, paying only tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of won per month is tantamount to the state exploiting the labor of its service members. The state providing sufficient respect and compensation to veterans and patriots will boost the patriotism and morale of current service members and serve as an incentive to choose a military career rather than avoid it.

Naturally, citizens will also develop patriotic sentiments and attitudes, ultimately leading to a stronger national defense. The target of the volunteer system should not be limited to young people; anyone who applies should be accepted, unless there is a special disqualifying reason. The mindset that national defense is the duty of young people should be changed, allowing anyone who volunteers to take on the role. This is also expected to contribute to solving the unemployment problem.

It is also necessary to provide soldiers with longer vacation periods for rest and rejuvenation, creating conditions for them to live more humanely. Since a volunteer soldier is a profession, those who hold this profession should be able to live a high-quality life, and the state must guarantee that.

Tags: “Middle-Class Centricism, Capitalism Critique, Gender Equality, Prison Reform, Military Reform”

Vocabulary

• 점진적 발전 “Jeomjinjeok Baljeon”: Gradual Progress
• 공존 공영 “Gongjon Gongyeong”: Coexistence and Co-prosperity
• 부익부 빈익빈 “Buikbu Binikbin”: The Rich Get Richer, the Poor Get Poorer
• 양극화 “Plusgeukwha”: Polarization
• 헬조선 “Hell Joseon”: Hellish Korea “a term reflecting despair over social conditions”
• 중산주의 “Jungsanjuui”: Middle-Class Centricism
• 성인지 예산 “Seonginji Yesan”: Gender-Sensitive Budget
• 재산 비례 벌금제 “Jaesan Birye Beolgeumje”: Wealth-Proportional Fine System
• 징병제 “Jingbyeongje”: Conscription System
• 모병제 “Mobyeongje”: Volunteer Military System

난세 Ch.6 Huh Kyung-young’s Vision Navigating Korea’s Future Challenges

The Vision of Huh kyung young: A Path to a Super-Class Nation

Tags: “Huh kyung young, National Dividend, Household Debt, Unification, Environmentalism, World Government, Economic Philosophy”

Vocabulary

• 난세의 영웅: Hero in Times of Turmoil
• 미래로 가는 길목: Crossroads to the Future
• 가정 경제: Household Economy
• 기본 소득제: Universal Basic Income System
• 국민 배당금제: National Dividend System
• 4차 산업혁명: Fourth Industrial Revolution
• 가계 부채: Household Debt
• 양적 완화: Quantitative Easing
• 통일부: Ministry of Unification
• 세계 통일: World Unification

1. Prioritizing the Household Economy Over Regional Development

We stand at a critical juncture, facing a choice: either our nation achieves remarkable progress, becoming a world-class country admired globally, or we fail to resolve our complex challenges and fade into obscurity. The future of generations to come rests in our hands today. While Korea boasts world-class infrastructure, including an excellent subway system, well-maintained roads, beautiful parks, and impressive public facilities, the individual lives of our citizens are often harsh and difficult. Many struggle to make ends meet, with young people and the elderly facing significant financial instability. It is time to shift our focus from further regional development to revitalizing the household economy. Just as a house needs strong, well-integrated bricks to be sturdy, a society needs stable households. Despite the grand appearance of our cities, the individual lives of our citizens are often precarious. Politicians frequently promise more development during elections, but this only exacerbates the problem. We must cease the endless pursuit of regional projects and instead allocate resources to alleviate the financial burdens of our citizens. This means ensuring young people can secure stable livelihoods, enabling easy marriage and family formation, supporting working adults to achieve financial comfort, and allowing the elderly, who built this nation, to enjoy a worry-free retirement.

2. Differentiating Universal Basic Income from the National Dividend System

As humanity enters the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by artificial intelligence, robotics, and other advanced technologies, many jobs are predicted to disappear. This has led to global discussions about Universal Basic Income “UBI” as a solution for widespread unemployment. However, the concept of UBI, often attributed to Western origins, has roots in proposals made by Huh kyung young over three decades ago, which he consistently advocated. While UBI and the National Dividend System “NDS” both aim to provide citizens with a basic income, their fundamental philosophies, characteristics, funding mechanisms, and amounts differ significantly.

• UBI: State Benevolence vs. NDS: Citizen’s Right

  • Universal Basic Income is often perceived as a benefit or grace bestowed by the state or local government upon its citizens. It implies that citizens receive a form of allowance because they are unable to support themselves, carrying a strong socialist connotation. This approach can potentially undermine citizens’ self-esteem and spirit of independence.
  • The National Dividend System, in contrast, views the nation as a corporation and its citizens as shareholders. Therefore, the profits generated from national management are rightfully distributed to all citizen-shareholders. This dividend is not a benefit but a fundamental right, empowering citizens to demand their share with dignity. Rooted in capitalism, the NDS that as national revenue increases, so too will the dividends, potentially exceeding 1.5 million Korean Won per month. This system enhances citizens’ self-respect and embodies true democracy by treating them as the genuine owners of the nation.

• Funding Mechanisms and Amounts

  • UBI proponents typically suggest funding through increased taxes on speculative income, higher income tax rates, corporate tax increases, land taxes, and international taxation of multinational corporations. This reliance on increased taxation faces potential public resistance, especially if existing wasteful spending and unnecessary systems remain unchanged. The limited funding often results in a meager annual payment of 500,000 to 1,000,000 Korean Won, which falls short of ensuring a basic livelihood.
  • The National Dividend System proposes a radical restructuring of national finances, including a 70% reduction in current national budget expenditures, abolition of unnecessary systems, tax consolidation, a wealth-proportional fine system, and the creation of new specialized businesses. This approach would eliminate inheritance and property taxes, reducing the overall tax burden. A “tax point system” would reward diligent taxpayers with social respect and benefits, fostering a culture where people are eager to contribute more. This creates a virtuous cycle where businesses thrive, leading to increased national revenue and ample funds for a monthly dividend of approximately 1.5 million Korean Won.

3. Addressing the Crisis of Household Debt

Korea’s household debt has surpassed 1,760 trillion Korean Won as of Q1 2021, with the average household debt exceeding 80 million Korean Won. This alarming figure, representing 97.9% of GDP, is significantly higher than the OECD average of 60%. While individual responsibility plays a role, a substantial portion of this debt stems from flawed government policies. Past events like the IMF crisis, the credit card crisis of 2002, and recent failures in real estate policy have all contributed to the current predicament.

• The Systemic Nature of Debt

  • Capitalism inherently fosters a “rich-get-richer, poor-get-poorer” dynamic, compelling individuals to incur debt to maintain a certain standard of living or pursue entrepreneurial ventures. The increasing sophistication of technology further exacerbates this divide, pushing the majority into financial hardship. This is not merely an individual problem but a national crisis, akin to a ticking time bomb. The government must take responsibility for its policy failures and actively intervene to prevent economic collapse and social unrest.

• Proposed Solutions: Debt Forgiveness and Quantitative Easing

  • Debt Forgiveness: The government should implement policies to forgive household debt, particularly private loans, which cause immense suffering. This could involve a one-time payment to households, channeled through commercial banks to settle debts, with any remaining funds directly disbursed to citizens.
  • Quantitative Easing: This involves the government issuing national bonds to the Bank of Korea, which then prints money to clear household debts through commercial banks. This shifts household debt to national debt. While some worry about increased national debt, Korea’s national debt-to-GDP ratio “around 45%” is significantly lower than the OECD average “113%”, indicating ample room for such a measure. This debt would be owed to the Bank of Korea, a domestic institution, mitigating risks seen during the IMF crisis.
  • Addressing Inflation Concerns: While quantitative easing can lead to inflation, the proposed method of clearing debts through banks first, and then disbursing remaining funds, limits the immediate increase in circulating currency. Furthermore, a currency redesign could effectively eliminate illicit underground funds “estimated at 9,100 trillion Korean Won” by requiring source disclosure for exchange, thereby reducing the overall money supply. Phased quantitative easing over several years would also prevent rapid inflation. A slight increase in inflation can actually stimulate a stagnant economy, as demonstrated by Japan’s Abenomics.
  • The Trickle-Up Effect: Debt forgiveness is crucial for the “trickle-up effect” to function effectively. When citizens are free from debt, they can use their fixed monthly income “From the National Dividend System” for consumption, stimulating businesses, creating jobs, and fostering overall economic growth. This virtuous cycle would lead to increased tax revenues and potentially higher dividend payments.

4. Redefining Employment: Beyond the Regular vs. Irregular Divide

Recent government policies aimed at converting irregular workers to regular status have caused conflict, as regular positions are highly coveted for their stability and benefits. However, Huh kyung young proposes a counter-intuitive approach: reducing regular positions and increasing flexible, part-time opportunities.

• Shifting Preferences with Guaranteed Income

  • With a guaranteed basic income, such as the National Dividend System providing a fixed monthly income of around 3 million Korean Won, the necessity of working long hours in regular positions diminishes. People would no longer be driven solely by financial survival and would instead prioritize freedom and personal fulfillment. This would lead to a preference for flexible part-time work, allowing individuals to pursue their passions and enjoy a more balanced life. Irregular positions would transform from undesirable jobs into opportunities for happiness and self-expression.

• Boosting Corporate Competitiveness

  • Mandating regular employment for all workers significantly burdens businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. The recent rapid increase in minimum wage, for example, has already forced many businesses to reduce employment. Converting 7.5 million irregular workers to regular status would effectively double labor costs, crippling corporate growth. Reducing regular positions and increasing flexible, part-time options would alleviate labor cost burdens, address labor shortages, and enhance corporate competitiveness. This policy offers a dual benefit: greater freedom and a more humane life for individuals, and reduced costs and increased competitiveness for businesses.

5. A Pragmatic Approach to Unification

For over 70 years, the Korean Peninsula has been divided, leading to significant political, economic, social, and cultural divergence between North and South Korea. While the desire for unification persists, a pragmatic and non-emotional approach is essential.

• Abolishing the Ministry of Unification

  • The existence of the Ministry of Unification can be perceived by North Korea as an intention for absorption, thereby provoking them. Given that both Koreas are recognized as separate sovereign states by the UN, maintaining a ministry dedicated to unification, without North Korea’s consent, is an inappropriate diplomatic stance. Abolishing this ministry would reduce tensions and contribute to national security.

• Prioritizing Pre-Unification Steps

  • Immediate unification is not advisable due to the vast economic disparity “North Korea’s GDP is only 2% of South Korea’s”. The experience of German reunification, with a 3:1 economic gap, demonstrates the immense costs involved. Unification under current conditions would be a gamble, not a windfall, potentially leading to social unrest due to extreme wealth disparities.
  • Instead, focus should be on preparing for unification by supporting North Korea’s economic growth through active private exchanges “economic, academic, religious, cultural”. Addressing the cultural divergence, which has grown over decades, is also crucial. Consistent private exchanges are needed to bridge differences in language, religion, history, and lifestyles, fostering national integration. Issues like separated families should be handled by non-governmental organizations like the Red Cross or religious groups, rather than solely by the government.

• Cautious Diplomatic and Security Stance

  • Peace treaties or “one nation, two systems” models like the Koryo Confederation are dangerous. Such arrangements could remove international justification for intervention if North Korea were to invade, as it would be considered an internal conflict. North Korea’s consistent demand for US troop withdrawal is a strategic move to isolate South Korea from military protection. Given North Korea’s nuclear capabilities and unwavering commitment to its system, advocating for US troop withdrawal or an end to the armistice is extremely risky. US forces in South Korea serve both American strategic interests and South Korea’s security needs, effectively acting as mercenaries for our defense. Pragmatism and national interest must take precedence over abstract notions of sovereignty.
  • Navigating Northeast Asian Diplomacy: Korea’s geopolitical position, caught between continental powers “Russia, China” and maritime powers “Japan, US”, necessitates sophisticated diplomacy. The ongoing US-China rivalry, particularly over economic and technological dominance, places Korea in a precarious position. The US, with its GPS dominance and military superiority, holds a significant advantage. While the US and China are economically interdependent, the US could exploit a conflict to eliminate its debt to China and cripple its industry. In a worst-case scenario, the US might even consider sacrificing South Korea for a more strategically advantageous alliance with North Korea, given North Korea’s direct border with China and Russia.
  • Therefore, Korea must pursue “equidistant diplomacy” “불가근불가원”, maintaining friendly relations with all major powers without becoming too close to any single one. This means seeking economic benefits from China, military assistance from the US, and stable relations with Japan, despite historical grievances. Our survival depends on skillful diplomacy that prioritizes practical gains over emotional attachments.

• Relocating the UN Headquarters to Panmunjom

  • The most effective way to ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula and contribute to world peace is to relocate the United Nations Headquarters to Panmunjom. This would naturally de-escalate tensions between North and South Korea, as any provocation would be seen as a threat to the global community. Such a move would also free the UN from US dominance, encourage greater participation from member states, and provide significant economic benefits to both Koreas through tourism and the establishment of UN-affiliated organizations in Paju and Kaesong.
  • Korea has a strong moral claim to demand this relocation. The division of Korea and the subsequent Korean War were largely the result of decisions made by powerful nations “US, Soviet Union, China”. These nations bear significant responsibility for the ongoing instability and threat of war on the peninsula. Therefore, Korea can rightfully demand that the UN Headquarters be moved to Panmunjom to end the war threat and ensure security. This idea has been advocated by Huh kyung young for over 30 years and must be actively pursued.

6. Global Environmentalism and World Unification

Protecting the environment is paramount for two reasons: safeguarding all life forms, including humans, and preserving Earth itself. The Earth is a living entity, and its destruction is a cosmic catastrophe.

• The Perils of Environmental Degradation

  • Humanity’s pursuit of convenience and profit has led to severe environmental pollution and destruction. Substances like asbestos, once widely used, are carcinogens that cause deadly diseases. Freon gas, used in refrigerators and air conditioners, depletes the ozone layer, increasing skin cancer and cataracts. Greenhouse gas emissions cause global warming, leading to melting glaciers, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ecosystem collapse. Deforestation, industrial pollution, agricultural chemicals, and plastic waste further contaminate land, air, and oceans, threatening all life through the food chain. Even recent pandemics like COVID-19 are linked to environmental degradation.
  • The Earth, a unique life-sustaining planet in our solar system, is supported by a delicate cosmic balance. Its atmosphere, from the troposphere to the exosphere, protects life. Human actions that disrupt this intricate system for selfish gain are catastrophic and could lead to humanity’s self-destruction. We must heed Earth’s warnings, halt pollution, and actively heal damaged ecosystems.

• World Unification as the Ultimate Solution

  • Despite international efforts like the Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement, environmental problems persist. This is because national interests often clash, and the principle of power governs international relations, making collective action difficult.
  • Huh kyung young has advocated for a world federal government for 36 years, precisely because it offers the most effective solution to global environmental issues. Under a unified world government, with autonomous states operating under a single authority, environmental policies could be enforced with strong sanctions against non-compliant nations. This unified structure would foster cooperation, compromise, and integration, allowing global challenges like environmental degradation, famine, refugees, and war to be addressed swiftly and harmoniously.
  • A world federal government could implement comprehensive projects to reduce greenhouse gases, eliminate harmful chemicals in agriculture, restore polluted lands and oceans, and reverse global warming. Earth, a treasure of the universe, must be protected. While advanced civilization is important, humanity’s future direction must be towards an ecological civilization.

난세 Ch.7 Huh Kyung-young’s Vision A New Era of Global Unity and Advanced Civilization

Title

The Hero of a Troubled Era, Huh kyung young: The Path to the Future

Tags

“Future Technologies, Spiritual Culture, Global Unification, Fourth Industrial Revolution, DNA Engineering, Energy Storage, Blockchain Technology”

1. The Vision of a Huh and a Transformed Nation

This discourse introduces Huh kyung young, presented as the Holiness who has descended in human form to address the critical challenges facing Earth. These challenges include the destruction of the global environment, extreme wealth disparity, and the depletion of oxygen. The Korean Peninsula is described as the sacred land where this Holiness arrives, destined to become a top-tier nation, a model for the world, admired by all. Under the guidance of the Holiness, the Korean people are envisioned to unify the world, establishing a beneficial era free from famine and war.

Despite being the world’s 12th largest economy, Korea currently faces profound national difficulties. These include political corruption, widening wealth gaps, a generation of youth losing hope, the world’s lowest birth rate leading to a demographic cliff, and the constant threat of conflict amidst superpower rivalries. The only path for Korea to overcome these crises and become a leading model nation is a complete paradigm shift. This transformation, however, must not be a bloody revolution but a policy revolution that will fundamentally change the world. The ultimate goal of this revolution is to build a harmonious and prosperous society where all citizens enjoy material abundance and are treated with dignity.

2. The Profile of Huh kyung young

Huh kyung young is described as a celestial being who descended to Earth. His early life involved profound intellectual development, mastering the Four Books and Five Classics, astronomy, and geography during his elementary years. In his secondary education, he delved into Eastern and Western religions, politics, economics, and philosophy, including the Tripitaka Koreana, cheon-bu-gyeong(天符經) “Holy Code Scripture”, Samil Singo, and the Bible. His public life began with proposals for the Korea National Open University and the Saemaul Undong “New Community Movement” to President Park chung hee in 1970. He served as the president of the Korean Association for the Welfare of the Underprivileged, operating five orphanages. He later graduated with a Bachelor of Law from Korea National Open University.

His political career includes multiple presidential candidacies: in 1997 and 2007 with the Economic Republican Party, and as a candidate for the 20th presidential election with the National Revolutionary Party in 2019. He also served as the party leader for the National Peace Party and the National Revolutionary Party at various times, and ran as a proportional representative candidate for the National Assembly and as a candidate for the Seoul mayoral by-election. Beyond politics, his current roles include chairman of the spiritual organization Alpha since 2021, and representative of Alpha since 2019. He is also listed as a faculty member at five Harvard University schools and is applying for the Harvard Medical School-led Global CEO Program.

3. The Great Transition to a New Civilization

Humanity stands at a pivotal moment, poised for a great transition to a new civilization. This era will see the integration of reality and virtuality, with advanced artificial intelligence robots replacing human labor, marking the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond. It will be a remarkable age free from the constraints of empathy and time. Alongside this advanced technological civilization, a spiritual culture guided by the heavens will emerge as a key driving force. Social and economic systems will transform, eliminating wealth polarization, and humanity will achieve a unified, peaceful, and prosperous era within a single global community. This grand civilizational shift is a matter of divine providence, driven by the will to realize divine principles in the human world.

4. Leading Future Technologies and the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is already bringing about significant changes across many sectors. Examples include AI-equipped unmanned agricultural machinery, 3D printers for prototyping, and autonomous vehicles. Smart factories are emerging, producing robotic prototypes and offering high-value products and services through the Internet of Things. Even in medicine, small robots perform surgeries, and robot chefs are appearing in restaurants. AI-driven programs are used in stock trading, and the Internet of Things efficiently manages waste collection. Drone delivery systems are also being established.

The near future promises smart washing machines that respond to voice commands and smart closets that optimize environments and organize clothes automatically. Further advancements will lead to flying cars for commuting, capable of entering home garages directly through apartment windows. Air metros, or sky railways, with fixed routes, schedules, stations, charging systems, and reception facilities, may emerge in urban areas to alleviate traffic congestion. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is opening up a new world, with nations fiercely competing to lead in this domain. The United States possesses the most talent, while China is aggressively pursuing leadership by implementing AI education nationwide from elementary school.

Huh kyung young has long asserted that Korea can lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution, proposing seven key future industries, collectively termed “4D 3T”

• D “Spirituality/Divine Nature Industry”: This is a core future industry, as human yearning for spirituality will intensify with technological advancement. Huh kyung young states he will lead this industry, attracting global capital to the Korean Peninsula, enough to sustain the entire nation.
• D “Communication/Digital Industry”: This promising industry will continue to evolve. Smartphones, as prime examples of digital convergence, will advance rapidly. The current 5G technology, 20 times faster and 100 times larger in capacity than 4G, will eventually lead to an era without physical devices. Users will interact with holographic images in mid-air for communication, internet access, and work. Huh kyung young believes he can provide ideas to scientists to easily develop such technologies.
• D “DNA Biotechnology Industry”: This branch of life science focuses on genetic information that determines physical traits and can cause diseases due to errors in gene sequences. Key technologies include DNA gene editing and embryonic editing, which can correct problematic genes or remove abnormal ones, potentially allowing individuals with conditions like Down syndrome to be born normally. This technology could also extend human lifespan beyond natural limits, enabling the creation of humans with desired traits like beauty, intelligence, and longevity. The development of pills that can transform an 80-year-old body into a 20-year-old one by comprehension and eliminating aging genes is also envisioned, potentially extending human lifespan to 100 years. This commercialization of genetic technology is the C-DNA gene industry.
• D”Design Industry”: Though traditional, design remains attractive and promising. Humans constantly desire novelty and uniqueness, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution will require creative design for new devices. Design is a highly creative field, playing a crucial role in advancing human civilization and leading not only the Fourth but also the Fifth Industrial Revolution.
• T”Energy Storage Technology”: This involves storing energy. Advanced energy storage will allow for the storage of renewable energy “solar, wind” and surplus electricity from nuclear power plants, to be used when needed. Current technologies like lithium-ion batteries have limitations, but future advancements will enable infinite energy storage. This will prevent power waste and bring immense convenience to daily life, eliminating concerns about phone battery charging or electric vehicle charging, as devices could be charged once and last for 10 years, almost semi-permanently. Huh kyung young believes his advice can help Korea lead in developing such advanced technologies.
• T “Algorithm Technology/Artificial Intelligence Technology”: The 2016 Go match between Lee Sedol and AlphaGo highlighted the advanced state of AI. AI, centered on algorithm technology “procedures and methods for logical problem-solving”, can be applied across many aspects of human life. AI robots with human-like intelligence will be created, and AI judges could collaborate with human judges, offering objective judgments based on big data. AI robots could also assist doctors in complex surgeries. As AI robots become commercialized and develop intelligence similar to or exceeding humans, they will perform tasks currently done by humans. While AI is fair and reliable, it struggles with genuine human interaction, and over-reliance on AI could lead to human brain development stagnation and degeneration. Nevertheless, AI, with its ability to transcend human memory and offer faster, more delicate insights, will be a major driving force of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, leading to an AI-dependent era.
• T “Blockchain Security Technology”: This is a decentralized data storage technology where data is placed in blocks, linked in a chain, and simultaneously replicated and stored across numerous computers. It functions as a public ledger, transparently recording transactions. This distributed verification process by multiple computers prevents hacking.
  Huh kyung young asserts that if he guides these seven promising industrial technologies, Korea can provide even more advanced ideas, leading these ventures and becoming a dominant force in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

5. The Even More Advanced Future World

The technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as currently imagined, are not truly astonishing. The distant future holds events beyond current imagination. An era where spatial constraints virtually disappear is anticipated. Technologies utilizing black holes and white holes for travel could emerge, allowing travel from Korea to the United States in 10 minutes via vacuum tubes in the air. These transportation methods would be free from the risks of plane crashes or explosions, require no fuel, and produce no emissions, needing only a palm-sized battery. Battery technology is expected to advance tremendously within 10 to 20 years. Solar energy could also be harnessed via satellites.

A time will come when the very wealthy can cross the Pacific in one second. A plane carrying many people could enter an arm-sized opening and arrive at a runway the moment passengers think of it. The principle behind this involves protons and neutrons colliding within atoms, releasing Higgs bosons, which then transform into photons. Through a special device, the atoms composing both the plane and its passengers could be broken down into photons, becoming electromagnetic waves that travel at the speed of light to the destination. Upon arrival, they would be re-synthesized into atoms and molecules, with souls recombining, allowing the plane and people to reappear intact. Matter, when broken down beyond molecules, atoms, and particles, becomes light and sound energy, enabling instantaneous movement. This method would also facilitate interstellar travel, making distant space journeys possible in the future.

Our current space is three-dimensional, where space-time is bound. However, moving to the fourth dimension transcends space-time, making such journeys possible by passing through a four-dimensional world.

Beyond transportation, an era without factories is envisioned. People will be able to print objects at home or create them simply from space by extracting matter from thin air. All products will emerge easily from atomic bonds, requiring minimal assembly. Hydrogen bonding, which requires no energy input, will ensure no pollution.

Medical technology will advance to allow doctors to shrink to one-trillionth their size, entering blood vessels to perform surgeries and then returning to normal size. Human lifespan will increase dramatically. Advances in medical technology, including genetic manipulation, embryonic editing, soul transfer technology, microbial science, and plasma therapy, will make living to 100 years commonplace, with many living healthily beyond that age. Soul transfer technology involves discarding an old, ailing 80-year-old body and transferring the soul into a young, 20-year-old body grown from the individual’s own cells, such as hair. Huh kyung young claims only he can perform this soul transfer. He also states that using photons and plasma, human bodies can be transformed from 80 to 20 years old. In the distant future, everyone will receive plasma therapy.

Microbial science will also develop to an extreme degree. The human body hosts over 200 trillion microorganisms. These microorganisms break down food, and their secretions are absorbed by the body, ensuring complete nutrient absorption and eliminating digestive health issues, naturally extending lifespan.

Food production will also see astonishing technological advancements. Chicken and lamb can be cultured mechanically, eliminating the need to raise livestock for meat. Beef culturing machines will also emerge. Microorganisms can be used to cultivate vegetables and grains, allowing any desired vegetable to be produced with the push of a button, removing the need for markets, farming, or pesticides. Fermentation technology using microorganisms will also advance, ensuring food causes no issues. Machines resembling refrigerators that cultivate edible insects could also appear. With a button press, insects grow for a set time, and another button compresses them into a palatable food, ensuring hygiene.

Huh kyung young notes that these technologies are not yet ready for public display but states that given the opportunity, he would provide ideas to scientists to dramatically advance human civilization.

6. A World of Universal Happiness: One Global Family

The ancient Chinese prophecy book “Tui Bei Tu” written by Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang of the Tang Dynasty, speaks of a great harmony where all people gather, forming one global family. This signifies a world without borders or governments, where distinctions between “you” and “I” vanish, and all are treated with utmost dignity. It is a prophecy of a future where the world becomes a single household, where the hungry are fed, and the homeless are sheltered. This is the world humanity has long dreamed of: Confucius’s Great Harmony and Thomas More’s Utopia. This is precisely the unified world Huh kyung young aims to achieve.

Huh kyung young seeks to end the extreme wealth disparity on Earth, where some starve while others live in luxury. He envisions a world where everyone has at least food and clothing without having to work for it. He aims to end endless conflicts between ethnic groups, nations, religions, and classes, establishing a unified world where all people communicate, harmonize, and compromise. This is not a world conquest achieved through military force and bloodshed, like those of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, or Hitler. Instead, it is a peaceful unification that will occur when Korea, through a middle-class-centric revolution, becomes an object of global admiration.

When Korea achieves a system where all citizens can enjoy a comfortable life above the middle class, prioritizing national health and quality of life, and its national happiness index rises to number one globally, all nations will look up to Korea and seek to learn from its systems. Korea’s status will naturally elevate, placing it in a leadership position globally. With Huh kyung young‘s strong leadership and capabilities, world leaders will follow him, leading to the establishment of a World Federation. This federal government will play a pivotal role in guiding the world, with all nations participating in global coexistence and co-prosperity. Prosperity will spread across the world, and a beneficial and harmonious Great Harmony will be built.

Furthermore, the principles of middle-class-centricism will spread to nations worldwide, leading to the implementation of government support payments and the realization of middle-class-centric societies, to varying degrees. All nations will be incorporated as autonomous regions within the World Federation, with Korea at its core. Regular or ad-hoc meetings of world leaders, led by the Federation, will address global and Earth’s pressing issues, working collaboratively to solve them. Impoverished regions like Africa will receive joint support plans from the Federation, ensuring no one goes hungry. Environmental issues will also be a key agenda, with continuous joint efforts until Earth’s environment is fully restored, and environmental protection becomes a top priority in all development projects.

In this grand and magnificent project, the Korean people will play a central role. People worldwide will learn Korean and highly value Koreans as private diplomats, spreading middle-class-centricism globally. This is why policies implemented for Korean citizens should also apply to overseas Koreans.

This noble and ambitious plan was not designed by Huh kyung young alone upon his arrival. It is part of a cosmic providence, already recorded in the cheon-bu-gyeong(天符經), an ancient Korean scripture predating Dangun. Dangun Wanggeom, who founded Gojoseon, presented the ideals of Hongik Ingan “to broadly benefit humanity” and Jaese I Hwa “to govern the world rationally” as his governing philosophy, aiming to realize a world where holy principles unfold.

However, times have changed, and humanity now faces an era of moral decline, where words, writing, and the Way are severed, leading to utter absurdity. Noble ideals have vanished from people’s minds, replaced by a preoccupation with material possessions, leading to self-centered lives devoid of concern for parents, siblings, or neighbors. Human selfishness has caused environmental pollution and destruction, bringing Earth to a major crisis. Yet, this era has also seen many secrets of nature unveiled, leading to the emergence of advanced technologies and the internet, which spreads words, images, and videos worldwide, making all kinds of information easily accessible. This internet era is the “Ocean of Letters Jidae” “Era of the Sea of Knowledge” that Gyeogam Namsago spoke of, where a great transformation of human civilization will occur.

The development of internet technology is highly advantageous for spreading Huh kyung young‘s message to the world. The spirit of Hongik Ingan will blossom globally through the middle-class-centric revolution originating from the Korean Peninsula. The noble and grand providential history prophesied in the cheon-bu-gyeong(天符經) will unfold from Korea to the entire world, leading to a unified world where distinctions between “you” and “I” disappear, everyone is treated with dignity, and there are no wars or famine—a good and beautiful, harmonious world. People will live without worries about livelihood, pursuing higher-level lives and spiritual growth. Everyone will experience happiness and coexist in prosperity. Huh kyung young, along with the Korean people, will achieve this earthly paradise, something no one on Earth has ever been able to do or even attempt.

Vocabulary

• 초일류 국가: Top-tier Nation
• 난세의 영웅: Hero of a Troubled Era
• 본 태양신: Original Sun God
• 신인: Holiness
• 중산주의: Middle-Class Centricism
• 천하일가: One Global Family
• 홍익인간: Benefit All Humanity
• 재세이화: Rational Governance
• 언어도단: Utter Absurdity
• 천부경: Holy Code Scripture

version2 신인난세 서문 낭독

The Hero of a Troubled Era: Huh kyung young

Tags: “National Crisis, Economic Disparity, Social Reform, Political Philosophy, Global Vision, Middle-Class Society, Divine Politics”

1. The Dire State of the Nation: A Call for Leadership

Why would one choose the arduous path of a supreme national leader, forsaking a comfortable life? The Republic of Korea, a global economic powerhouse ranking among the top ten, paradoxically sees only a minority of its citizens enjoying a commensurate quality of life. A vast majority endure daily struggles, plagued by a sense of relative deprivation. The deepening chasm between the rich and the poor means that approximately 10% of the affluent population controls about 60% of the nation’s total wealth. The middle class is collapsing, and polarization is accelerating at an alarming rate. Household debt has surged dramatically, exceeding 1,760 trillion Korean Won by the first quarter of 2021. The ratio of household debt to Gross Domestic Product stands at 97.9%, nearly equaling the annual GDP. Despite working diligently all day, the majority of citizens find their living standards have regressed by a decade.

2. Unraveling Societal Crises: Demographics and Despair

Our nation holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest suicide rate among OECD countries. Furthermore, the total fertility rate plummeted to a record low of 0.84 last year, making Korea the country with the fewest births globally for several consecutive years. Conversely, the elderly population is steadily increasing, projected to exceed 20% of the total population by 2025, placing us on the brink of a super-aged society. This demographic shift is transforming Korea’s population structure into an inverted pyramid, threatening the nation’s very foundation and posing severe economic challenges due to the burden of elder care and a shrinking productive workforce. Moreover, the youth, who should be envisioning hopeful futures and boldly challenging society, have long become the “N-po generation” abandoning dating, marriage, childbirth, employment, homeownership, and even human relationships. The government acknowledges these issues, allocating substantial national budgets to welfare and low birth rate initiatives annually. However, I have yet to hear news of the resolution of the catastrophic low birth rate, the youth’s multiple renunciations, or a reduction in national debt and an improvement in citizens’ livelihoods.

3. Political Dysfunction and Misallocation of Resources

Both domestic and international corporate environments are challenging, unemployment shows no signs of abating, and national defense issues are equally critical. North Korea’s recent acquisition of nuclear weapons has created a strategically asymmetrical situation, rendering a comparison of conventional military strength meaningless. Coupled with the escalating rivalry between the United States and China, the Korean Peninsula faces the constant threat of becoming a battlefield. This is undeniably a breathless national crisis.

What then of the political sphere, which should be at the forefront of resolving these problems? While they claim to be making efforts, few would deny that they have failed to propose effective measures or solutions. It is my impression that politicians, instead of dedicating their valuable time and energy to alleviating the suffering of the people and addressing national challenges, have largely focused on political maneuvering for electoral success, prioritizing the preservation of their vested interests over the public welfare. In 2020, National Assembly members received an annual salary of 150 million Korean Won, in addition to numerous privileges and benefits. Yet, they have failed to enact a single proper law capable of rectifying the pervasive corruption. It is not that the nation lacks funds; rather, there are too many who illicitly appropriate them. This statement of mine is by no means an exaggeration. I have no intention of personally criticizing anyone. I merely point out flawed politics, erroneous laws, systems, policies, and practices. The political establishment, whose role is to improve citizens’ lives, foster national economic development through legislation, and implement effective policies, has instead neglected its duties and focused solely on its own interests.

4. The Vision of a Middle-Class Society: A New Economic Paradigm

In a global economic power like ours, how much tax revenue is collected annually? I believe the national budget is sufficient to manage the country and still return a significant portion to the citizens, who are the true owners of the nation. Despite this, apart from expenditures related to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, has the nation ever returned its share to the people? Where has all that immense budget gone?

Over thirty years ago, I foresaw the circumstances our nation and people would face. Therefore, I meticulously developed solutions, leveraging my abilities, knowledge, Eastern and Western philosophies, and aspirations, to comprehensively address and resolve future challenges. These solutions and conclusions emerged from deep contemplation on how to prevent and resolve impending difficulties, how to free citizens from the worries of poverty and livelihood, enabling them to live stable lives. Furthermore, they aim to empower people to pursue their desired work, transcending the economic imperatives that often dictate their choices, thereby achieving a higher quality of life. In essence, these were plans to guarantee a hopeful future for the nation and its people, a product of my profound affection for the citizens. They also embody my philosophy of realizing a society of shared prosperity, where everyone enjoys the abundant wealth generated through national economic development.

If these proposals are implemented, our nation can become a Middle-Class Society. Middle-Class Society is an economic ideology and socio-economic system designed to ensure that everyone can enjoy a middle-class or higher standard of living. It envisions a society without poverty, where everyone is at least middle-class, and no one remains poor—a perfectly achievable goal. This Middle-Class Society system is precisely my aspiration and objective for Korea and the entire world, to create a new world together.

Some misapprehend my proposals, viewing certain aspects, such as the National Dividend System or marriage subsidies, as unrealistic policies. However, these are absolutely not populist measures designed to gain popularity by indiscriminately distributing funds without proper planning. My proposals are designed to resolve the complex challenges facing our nation and genuinely achieve public welfare, differing fundamentally from populism that intervenes in individual lives. Moreover, our nation already possesses sufficient economic capacity to provide such funds to its citizens. If politicians stand upright and those responsible for national governance manage the country’s affairs selflessly and competently, it is entirely possible to share national profits with the citizens, who are the true owners. My proposals are not unprincipled, popularity-seeking handouts aimed solely at seizing power.

5. The Principle of Shared Prosperity: Nature’s Wisdom

There is a saying, “Waves arise from water.” This means that without water, there can be no waves. Similarly, when businesses earn money and individuals become wealthy, it is because citizens purchase their products and provide support. Without citizens, who could establish businesses or earn money? Therefore, those who acquire wealth are rightfully obligated to share it with the citizens who made it possible. The plan to elevate all citizens to a middle-class or higher status is founded on this fundamental principle of nature.

One common misconstrual is that such proposals constitute a socialist or communist system. However, this is absolutely not the case. These proposals are based on a free market economy, not socialist oppression. They redefine the relationship between the state and its citizens as that between a joint-stock company and its shareholders, designating national assets as belonging to the citizens, the shareholders. Thus, the total national wealth, approximately 7,000 trillion Korean Won, is divided among 50 million citizens, with each citizen calculated to hold a share worth about 1.4 billion Korean Won. Consequently, citizens gain the right to demand dividends from national operating profits, such as taxes. This truly makes citizens the complete owners of the nation, in name and in reality. Such proposals represent the highest level of democracy, embodying popular sovereignty. In other words, these proposals are founded on capitalism and can be considered the perfected form of democracy. They offer a system that resolves the pitfalls of capitalism, specifically the widening gap between the rich and the poor, which no one has managed to address until now, thereby completing capitalism as a perfect system. This system creates favorable conditions for businesses and allows anyone, through their efforts, to acquire greater wealth beyond the guaranteed middle-class baseline. It also establishes a system where society respects the wealthy who contribute significantly through taxes, ensuring the smooth functioning of the nation.

6. Divine Politics: The Realization of Justice and Coexistence

The socio-economic concept of Middle-Class Society, when expressed in political terms, is Divine Politics. Divine Politics is governance where Huh, who oversees the universe, embodies justice. Divine Politics is not a formal democracy expressed only in words or writings; it is a political system that treats citizens as the true owners of the nation, realizing the justice of coexistence and co-prosperity. Under a Divine Political system, all citizens can pursue a free and prosperous life.

Considering the economic levels of Korea and the world, it is evident that there is sufficient economic capacity for all members to live a humane life. Yet, due to a flawed wealth distribution system, extreme disparities exist within the single framework of a nation or the global village. This deviates from coexistence and co-prosperity, indicating a loss of justice. Divine Politics aims to rectify this, establishing justice so that everyone can coexist and co-prosper.

7. The Inevitable Path to Revolutionary Change

My series of proposals have garnered significant support, though perhaps the time was not yet ripe. our nation faces a situation where, without radical reform policies like those I propose, no one can resolve the accumulated, complex challenges. As previously established, both the government and politicians are aware of the severity of the problems but are unable to solve them, lacking even proper countermeasures. Increasingly, desperate politicians are attempting to imitate one or two of my proposals. While these may not be entirely ineffective, they are insufficient to resolve our nation’s overarching issues. My comprehensive proposals are interconnected, forming a single mechanism that operates as a complete system. Only when these proposals are implemented together will all problems be resolved sequentially without side effects or impediments, allowing the system to function properly, its effects to manifest fully, and even be maximized.

From social conflicts arising from wealth disparity, poverty, the youth’s multiple renunciations, the catastrophic low birth rate, the shrinking productive population, the aging society, the burden of supporting the elderly, household debt, worsening corporate environments, suicide, conflicts between regions, labor and management, and genders, to issues in education, security, military, securing national health resources, and societal changes brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution—all these problems are perfectly systematized to be resolved by my unified framework of proposals. In the future, I believe no one will be able to save this nation, preserve our people, and free citizens from suffering without such integrated and revolutionary proposals and bold, transformative innovations.

8. A Leader’s Unwavering Mission

Why do I choose the lonely and difficult path of a supreme national leader, forsaking a comfortable and enjoyable life? There is only one reason: a sense of mission to ensure all citizens of our nation live well and to bring comfort to those suffering from misguided politics, and the conviction that this mission must be fulfilled. From a young age, I embraced the mission of becoming a world leader to bring peace to the world, making it my life’s goal. Since then, I have never forgotten this goal for a single moment. Despite challenging circumstances, I studied diligently day and night, delving into school subjects, the Confucian classics, the Bible, and various texts on politics, economics, and philosophy—all to aid in achieving this goal.

My goal, on a smaller scale, is to alleviate the suffering of our nation and transform it into a leading global nation. On a larger scale, it is to enable all people worldwide, through me and our Korean people, to escape the suffering of poverty and war, living happier lives free from financial worries. As someone who has experienced the profound pain of hunger, I cannot simply overlook the reality of countless people starving to death on this planet. This is even more unbearable because it is not due to a lack of food. While one part of the world discards surplus food into the ocean for fear of price drops, how many indulge in luxury and extravagance? Even within our own nation, where some worry about their next meal, approximately 8 trillion Korean Won is spent annually on alcohol consumption alone. How can one ignore this stark contrast, this inhumane situation unfolding in the same global village?

What of the horrors of war? We experienced the Korean War, and the devastation of war is beyond words. I cannot forget the image of a young girl, stripped bare, running through streets ravaged by the flames of war. What about the video of the refugee boy, drifting on the vast ocean, his boat wrecked, meeting a cold death?

Environmental issues are even more severe. What message do the deformed fish, having ingested microplastics, and the frozen, dying trout in our rivers convey to us? Are air pollution and environmental destruction not leading to a catastrophic level that threatens the very end of Earth? Yet, no world leader has ever stepped forward to resolve global hunger. Their sole concern remains the safety of their own nations and the interests of their own citizens. The cost of weapons manufactured for war could purchase enough food to feed all Earth’s inhabitants for a hundred years. While conferences are occasionally held, reports issued, and joint declarations made regarding the global environment, few nations genuinely adhere to them.

This global crisis, affecting Korea and the entire world, is a comprehensive crisis—spiritual, material, and economic. Amidst this troubled era, I intend to transform the Republic of Korea, where the Korean people reside, into the world’s central nation and the happiest country. Furthermore, I aim to thoroughly resolve the dire realities and all crises facing the global village, establishing a world of coexistence and co-prosperity for all. This is by no means an unrealistic dream. I have meticulously planned to integrate the world into a federal form, similar to the United States of America, enabling various nations to collectively resolve global challenges such as hunger, war, and environmental issues. This is why I abandon the comfortable path and embark on the arduous journey of a supreme national leader.

Vocabulary

• 난세 “亂世”: Troubled Era

• 부익부빈익빈 “富Benefit富PovertyBenefitPoverty”: Widening Gap Between Rich and Poor

• 양극화 “兩Extreme, DuodecillionTransform”: Polarization

• 가계부채 “Family計負債”: Household Debt

• 출생률 “出Birth率”: Birth Rate

• 초고령 사회 “超高齡社Meeting”: Super-Aged Society

• N포 세대 “N抛世Era”: N-Renunciation Generation “Generation that gives up on multiple aspects of life”

• 공리민복 “PublicBenefit民福”: Public Welfare

• 중산주의 “Middle産主Righteousness”: Middle-Class Society “Economic ideology ensuring middle-class living for all”

• 신정주의 “GodPolitics主Righteousness”: Divine Politics “Governance based on divine justice”

• 난세 (亂世): Troubled Era

• 부익부빈익빈 (富益富貧益貧): Widening Gap Between Rich and Poor

• 양극화 (兩極化): Polarization

• 가계부채 (家計負債): Household Debt

• 출생률 (出生率): Birth Rate

• 초고령 사회 (超高齡社會): Super-Aged Society

• N포 세대 (N抛世代): N-Renunciation Generation (Generation that gives up on multiple aspects of life)

• 공리민복 (公利民福): Public Welfare

• 중산주의 (中産主義): Middle-Class Society (Economic ideology ensuring middle-class living for all)

• 신정주의 (神政主義): Divine Politics (Governance based on divine justice)

신인난세 1-1 ‘선진국’ 대한민국에 사는 ‘후진국’ 국민들

The Irony of a Developed Nation and Struggling Citizens

Tags: “Huh kyung young, Populism, EconomicDisparity, NationalWealth, SocialIssues, PoliticalReform, QualityOfLife”

1. Defining Populism: Beyond Superficiality

Populism is often apprehended as a political strategy that appeals to the general populace by proposing unrealistic policies to achieve specific goals. However, it is crucial to distinguish genuine, actionable solutions from mere populist rhetoric. Policies that offer realistic and achievable measures to address societal issues should not be dismissed as populism. The true measure lies in the feasibility and tangible impact of the proposed solutions.

2. The Paradox of a Developed Korea and Its Struggling Populace

Korea stands as a developed nation, boasting the world’s 12th largest economy and a Gross Domestic Product “GDP” per capita exceeding $30,000. This places Korea among a select group of approximately 60 nations with a GDP over $10,000, out of over 200 countries globally. This economic standing clearly indicates a high level of national prosperity. Yet, a significant disconnect exists between this impressive national economic status and the everyday economic reality experienced by the majority of its citizens. While a small segment of the upper class enjoys a lifestyle commensurate with or even exceeding this advanced economic level, the middle and lower classes often find their perceived economic well-being falling far short of the national average.

3. The Erosion of a Decent Standard of Living

A standard of living truly aligned with Korea’s economic prowess would imply that citizens could afford their own homes, raise and educate children without financial worry, and enjoy cultural activities. Marriage should not be a financial burden. However, the current reality is starkly different. Even with diligent work, many individuals struggle to cover basic expenses such as credit card bills, children’s tuition, apartment maintenance fees, and utility costs, often burdened by bank loans. Cultural pursuits become a luxury, and many young adults in their twenties feel trapped, living like cogs in a machine or slaves to their jobs. This situation is profoundly inconsistent with the living standards expected in a nation with the world’s 12th largest economy and a high GDP per capita.

4. Historical Context and Deteriorating Opportunities

In the past, when the nation itself was impoverished, all citizens faced hardship. However, during periods of national development, driven by exceptional leadership and the collective effort of the people, diligent work could lead to securing rental housing and even homeownership more readily. Educating children was also more attainable for those who committed to it. Youth employment was not the formidable challenge it is today. however, young people graduating and entering society face numerous obstacles, with limited opportunities. They engage in fierce competition, accumulating various qualifications to pass through a “needle’s eye” of employment, yet success remains incredibly difficult. Many struggle to repay student loans, resorting to secondary financial institutions to avoid becoming credit defaulters, often unsuccessfully.

5. The “Six Forfeitures” of Modern Youth

Even those who secure employment face considerable difficulties. Finding a rental home, for instance, is challenging due to soaring prices. With only a monthly salary, purchasing a home is nearly impossible, and even securing a rental property is a struggle. This harsh reality has led to the normalization of the “six forfeitures” among young people: giving up on employment, dating, marriage, childbirth, homeownership, and social relationships. Since basic necessities are hard to achieve, dating and marriage become distant dreams, leading to the inability to have children. Homeownership remains an unattainable fantasy. Even for those who manage to find jobs and marry, the future is uncertain in a fiercely competitive society where making a living is difficult. Many couples choose to have no children or only one, fearing for their child’s future in a society where success is not guaranteed. The financial burden of raising children, coupled with the uncertainty of their future well-being, makes having children feel irresponsible. Furthermore, the economic structure often necessitates dual-income households, and changing mindsets among young people also contribute to the reluctance to have children.

6. Challenges Across All Age Groups

The middle-aged and elderly also face significant hardships. Many middle-aged individuals still move between rental homes, and those who have managed to buy a house often carry substantial debt. It is common for couples to work day and night to pay off bank loan interest, children’s private tuition, and university fees. The idea of supporting multiple parents is often unimaginable. The elderly face similar struggles. After dedicating their youth to raising and educating their children, they often have no financial reserves left for their own later years. Many elderly individuals find themselves in a precarious situation where they must continue working just to survive, as evidenced by the current elderly employment rate surpassing that of the youth. In this challenging social environment, a “get-rich-quick” mentality has become prevalent among young and middle-aged adults. Many take on debt to invest heavily in stocks, cryptocurrencies, or virtual assets, often incurring significant losses and falling deeper into debt.

7. The Call for Political Revolution

How should we interpret this profound irony: a wealthy nation where its citizens struggle to survive? Some attribute this to societal changes or structural issues, suggesting it is unavoidable. However, can we simply blame societal evolution or structural shifts? If national leaders had foreseen these changes and proactively implemented countermeasures, much of this suffering could have been avoided. If the nation’s wealth had been prevented from concentrating in one area, and if national budgets had been managed prudently to ensure equitable distribution of national prosperity among all citizens, this stark paradox of a rich nation with suffering people could have been averted. This is precisely why I advocate for a political revolution and criticize politicians.

Vocabulary

• 난세: Era of Chaos
• 포퓰리즘: Populism “Mass Appealism”
• 대중영합주의: Demagoguery “Mass Appeasement”
• 괴리: Disparity “Gap, Divergence”
• 체감 경제 수준: Perceived Economic Standard “Felt Economic Level”
• 천정부지: Skyrocketing “Soaring to the Ceiling”
• 한탕주의: Get-Rich-Quick Mentality “One-Shotism”
• 신용불량자: Credit Defaulter “Credit Impaired Person”
• 정치 혁명: Political Revolution
• 국가 지도층: National Leadership “Governing Class”

신인난세 1-2 모범 답안 처방은 없는가 허경영

The Hero of a Troubled Era: Huh kyung young’s Prescriptions for National Challenges

Tags: “National Crisis, Political Reform, Economic Solutions, Social Welfare, Demographic Challenges, Educational Innovation, Judicial Reform”

1. The Imperative for Political Rectification

Our nation currently faces a severe economic depression, marked by deepening wealth disparity and increasing hardship for its citizens. A myriad of complex issues plague every sector, including politics, economy, society, education, and national security. To resolve these multifaceted challenges, the political system must first be set right. This is because the root cause of most problems, and their ultimate solutions, lie within the realm of politics. Without a rectified political landscape, resolving other issues becomes nearly impossible. Historically, when the nation faced calamities or natural disasters like drought, it was believed that the monarch’s misgovernance had incurred divine punishment, leading kings to offer sacrifices and seek atonement. Indeed, the current paradox of a wealthy nation with struggling citizens largely stems from the accountability of politicians. However, I have yet to hear of any politician who genuinely acknowledges and takes responsibility for this. A revolutionary overhaul of the political system is absolutely essential.

2. Reforming the Legislative and Local Governance Structures

I propose a drastic reduction in the number of National Assembly members, transforming their roles into unpaid, honorary positions, and discontinuing state funding for their aides. The system of special privileges for National Assembly members should also be abolished, as it exacerbates the phenomenon of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Furthermore, local government elections should be abolished, and local council members should revert to unpaid, honorary positions, as they were initially. Such positions must genuinely serve the people and the nation. When these roles are purely for service, individuals truly dedicated to the welfare of the public and local communities will step forward. If these positions offer substantial salaries, ranging from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of Korean Won annually, along with numerous special privileges and benefits, there is a much higher probability that individuals driven by material gain and prestige, rather than genuine public service, will seek them. Such individuals often prioritize their own interests, considering what might hinder their pursuit of personal gain.

3. Eliminating Partisan Politics and Fostering Independent Representation

Political parties, which are often entangled in factionalism, should be abolished. Individuals aspiring to become National Assembly members should be able to work independently, without party affiliation, to serve the nation and its citizens according to their convictions. The reason politicians affiliated with parties cannot help but adhere to party directives is that party interests inevitably take precedence, making it difficult to uphold any promises made to the public or local residents. If politics were transformed in this manner, individuals with a strong spirit of service would work for the people, and unnecessary budgetary expenditures would decrease, allowing more resources to be allocated to policies that genuinely benefit citizens. Moreover, abolishing party politics would eliminate the tiresome partisan conflicts, akin to factional disputes, thereby ending ideological divisions and confrontations among the populace. This would enable greater dedication to drafting legislation and developing policies for the nation and its people, focusing on resolving national challenges, including those affecting livelihoods.

4. Prioritizing Public Welfare and Addressing Wealth Disparity

Politics is about managing the affairs of the nation. In managing these affairs, the lives and well-being of the people, who are the true owners of the nation, must be central. Politicians, above all else, must concentrate on improving public welfare. The increasing hardship in people’s lives is a direct consequence of the widening gap between the rich and the poor. This deepening wealth disparity is the primary reason for the paradox of a developed nation with struggling citizens. This phenomenon can intensify further with the advancement of high-tech industries. Therefore, an innovative approach to the distribution system is essential. The most effective distribution system involves redistribution policies that serve as a benchmark, benefiting nearly all citizens. This includes measures that are appropriate for the nation’s circumstances and its people. Such measures could elevate all citizens to the middle class or above without undue strain, and are not merely a means to further economic development. With additional income earned through individual work, beyond the monthly payments from the state, citizens can enjoy comfortable and prosperous lives. Naturally, this would alleviate the rich-poor divide, reduce the relative sense of deprivation among ordinary citizens, and significantly diminish conflict and discord among the populace.

5. Balancing Economic Growth with Welfare and Corporate Support

While our nation is often characterized by economic regulations, we must not neglect economic growth by solely asserting cultural values if we are to elevate all citizens to the middle class or higher and further improve living standards. For economic growth, the capitalist market economy remains the most efficient economic system. In terms of productivity and efficiency, no economic system has surpassed capitalism to date. Therefore, it is necessary to lift various regulations on businesses and remove elements that impede corporate development, thereby ensuring free economic activity. We should avoid inheritance taxes that could lead to our companies being acquired by foreign capital, and the state must protect the survival rights of businesses. Labor union strikes hinder corporate progress, and for the development of businesses, which are the backbone of national economic growth, the state needs to intervene and resolve this issue institutionally. By abolishing labor unions and establishing something like an entrepreneur’s council, where workers’ representatives and management participate in running the company, workers’ rights can be protected without confrontation and struggle, and businesses can accelerate their activities. This system views labor and management not through a dichotomous lens, but from a holistic perspective as a corporate family, thereby resolving unnecessary labor-management conflicts and fostering a structure where both workers and management thrive. It goes without saying that if businesses prosper and the economy grows, assets will naturally increase. In other words, the “pie” will grow larger. This enlarged pie must then be returned to the people through distribution systems such as a dividend system. When the results of economic growth are returned to the people, a virtuous cycle in the national economy occurs. That is, citizens will not only save the money received from the state but also spend it, leading to vibrant consumption activities, which will undoubtedly benefit businesses. Businesses will increase employment, and citizens will see more job opportunities. The state will also receive more taxes from these prosperous businesses, enabling it to purchase more goods. This symbiotic relationship among economic actors, continuously expanding the overall economic scale of the community, is a crucial core point, and my series of proposals are structured to achieve this.

6. Addressing Household Debt and Promoting Economic Revitalization

Another urgent economic issue facing our nation is household debt. As of the first quarter of 2021, Korea’s household debt exceeded 1,700 trillion Korean Won, with the household debt-to-GDP ratio reaching 97%, equivalent to the nation’s total production. This is an extremely serious problem. Economic turmoil could ensue, and the lives of citizens could be completely shaken. The government must seriously contemplate this issue and formulate countermeasures. It is crucial to remember that before individual responsibility, the state’s policies bear responsibility for citizens incurring debt. Therefore, to prevent socio-economic difficulties arising from household debt and to fulfill its practical responsibility, the state needs to forgive household debt at least once. By having the Bank of Korea purchase government bonds through its power of issuance and implement quantitative easing, household debt can be converted into national debt, largely resolving the problems associated with it. household debt includes not only consumption but also luxury spending. Resolving this debt, which has reached a critical threshold, would not only prevent socio-economic chaos such as bank failures, corporate bankruptcies, and financial crises, but also stimulate consumption and contribute to economic revitalization. This approach has already been implemented in the United States and Japan to stimulate their economies during periods of ultra-low interest rates. Japan’s Abenomics, centered on quantitative easing, successfully overcame a long period of economic stagnation and achieved its objectives to some extent, a fact well-known to us. Furthermore, for those who have already become credit defaulters due to inability to repay debt, I believe that if the state provides a one-time, interest-free, collateral-free loan for about 20 years to help them rebuild, they can escape their suffering, and it would also have a national unity effect.

7. Tackling the Declining Birthrate and Investing in Future Generations

Another critical issue in our nation is the birthrate. For several years, Korea has recorded the lowest birthrate among OECD countries, with the number of newborns plummeting year after year. This poses immediate economic problems, such as a decrease in the working-age population, and in the long term, it is a very serious issue that could lead to the disappearance of our ethnic group from the planet. Extraordinary measures are required to address this. The low birthrate is a complex problem influenced by many factors, including employment, marriage, housing, childcare, education, and public awareness. Therefore, the solutions must also be multifaceted. To increase the birthrate, we must first create conditions that enable marriage. If the state provides enough money for monthly living expenses, people can marry even without employment. Next, the state must provide financial support for marriage expenses and even for acquiring a home, even if it’s a small one, for those who marry. This should be viewed as an investment in the future of the nation and its people. Furthermore, when a child is born, approximately 50 million Korean Won should be directly provided to the family per newborn. Bold investment is needed to reverse the rapidly declining birthrate graph into an upward curve. I believe this would lead to a sharp increase in families having children. In cases where the wife dedicates herself to childcare at home, providing childcare allowances to support the household economy would stabilize the family and benefit the child’s emotional development. Therefore, implementing such a measure for about 10 years of childcare is desirable. The state must deeply recognize that issues such as employment, livelihood, marriage, childbirth, and childcare are not merely individual problems but national and societal issues concerning the members who constitute the state and society. For the happiness of its citizens, as well as the survival of the nation and the continuation of its people, the state must actively step forward and make bold investments. I believe there is no other way to solve this problem.

8. Addressing the Aging Society and Ensuring Senior Welfare

Currently, our nation is an aging society where the number of newborns is decreasing, and the elderly population is rapidly increasing, with those aged 65 and over exceeding 14%. It is projected that we will soon become a super-aged society where the elderly population accounts for over 20%. The aging of the population entails many problems, but the most urgent is securing old-age provisions. While the government is indeed concerned about this issue and formulating countermeasures, long-term old-age provisions for the entire population remain insufficient. The current national pension system, implemented as a nationwide old-age provision, is not the right approach as its plans are subject to change. It is the state’s duty to ensure that its citizens, who are the owners of the nation, can lead stable lives in their old age. The current national pension system not only imposes a burden similar to taxes on citizens but is also an unstable system, with the age for receiving benefits gradually being delayed due to fund depletion issues, and predictions that the fund will be completely exhausted by around 2054. Therefore, I believe such a system should be gradually phased out. Instead, it is desirable for the state to provide old-age allowances, recognizing the contributions of the elderly who contributed to the national economy with their capabilities in their younger years. In fact, this system is among the proposals I put forth early on. During the administration of former President Park Geun-hye, monthly payments of 200,000 Korean Won began for seniors aged 65 and over who were in the bottom 70% of wealth, and I apprehend that this amount is currently around 300,000 Korean Won. However, I still consider that amount to be insufficient. If approximately 700,000 Korean Won were paid monthly, along with a dividend system for all citizens, seniors would not need to seek employment and could live their remaining years comfortably, receiving due respect. Everyone acknowledges that there are problems with Korea’s pension system.

9. Educational Reform: Shifting from Competition to Aptitude

Furthermore, issues such as a lack of creativity, the prevalence of private education expenses, unfairness, and the failure of character education are also pointed out as problems. As with all problems, the approach to solving educational issues is crucial. The core of school education problems lies in the university entrance examination system. Everything related to education changes depending on the nature of the entrance examination system. From the students’ perspective, deciding university admission based on one or two exams is problematic. If a student is not in good condition on the day of the exam, they may not be able to properly demonstrate their accumulated abilities. Moreover, it is undesirable for all the learning and development that should occur during adolescence to be compressed into a single period. Therefore, the College Scholastic Ability Test should be abolished. Instead, if the entrance examination system is reformed so that students take only one subject exam over three years of high school, tailored to their aptitude and talent, and university admission is determined by cumulative scores, students can enjoy their studies, excessive competition for admission will disappear, and students can enter universities that match their aptitudes and talents. If the remaining subjects only require attendance, adolescents will not suffer from the “entrance exam hell” thereby protecting their emotional well-being and health. Furthermore, this would foster a society where people can live together. I believe that the chronic educational problems that have remained unresolved will be alleviated. I believe this is indeed the right direction to move forward.

10. Judicial and Military Reforms for a Safer and Stronger Nation

Prisons, which often serve as schools for criminal methods rather than correctional facilities, should all be abolished, except for one or two facilities for serious offenders. Instead of incarcerating offenders, they should be made to pay fines, which would reduce the crime rate and save budget. At this time, if fines and penalties are set at three to four times the original amount, with smaller amounts for livelihood crimes committed by low-income individuals, and higher fines for the wealthy who have accumulated wealth through societal and national economic means, considering social responsibility and fairness, it would reduce illegal acts and drunk driving, and increase state revenue. Furthermore, abolishing the conscription system, a relic of an old era, and implementing a volunteer military system would alleviate military service stress for citizens, eliminate the need for military exemptions, improve the combat readiness of the armed forces, and contribute to solving unemployment. Additionally, if compensation is provided to veterans of the Korean War and Vietnam War, as well as to Korean miners and nurses dispatched to Germany, who sacrificed and contributed to the nation and its people, with substantial amounts and monthly patriotic allowances, and if their direct family members receive support upon their death, the morale of the people would be greatly boosted, combat power would be enhanced, and patriotism would be further promoted.

11. Holistic Problem Solving and National Leadership

Beyond these, there are various other methods to resolve the myriad problems facing our nation. When addressing socio-economic issues, the principle of reciprocal resolution is crucial. Complex problems are difficult to solve if dealt with in isolation and piecemeal. Often, solving one problem leads to the emergence of another. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a holistic and macroscopic perspective, looking to the future, to gain insight into and analyze problems together, and to seek comprehensive solutions. Problem-solving should not be abstract but as concrete as possible. Regarding the budget required for problem-solving, methods should be found to discover new revenue sources or reduce unnecessary budgetary support, rather than imposing burdens on the public. if there are methods to stimulate the economy, increase employment, and thereby increase tax revenues, as mentioned in the various proposals above, there would be no better approach. If plans and solutions for problems are interconnected as a mechanism, operating as a single system, ensuring that all problems are resolved smoothly and even generating synergy effects, then such a problem-solving method can be considered the best. I believe that anyone aspiring to be the supreme leader of a nation must have a thorough plan prepared in advance, outlining what they will do and how they will do it for the people once they assume such a position. In other words, they must possess a blueprint for national governance. And before becoming the supreme leader, they must present this blueprint to the public. The position of supreme national leader is that solemn. It is unacceptable to speak about how national systems or order, which can profoundly affect the destiny of a nation and the lives of all its citizens, will be, only after assuming power. And the people must demand this from anyone seeking to become the supreme leader of the nation. They must ask how the nation will be governed, what will be prioritized, and how economic policies and public welfare will be addressed. Furthermore, they must demand the presentation of policies that are concrete to some extent, not vague plans. Without such clarity, it is obvious that there will be many trials and errors and mistakes in governance, and ultimately, the damage will fall squarely on the people.

Vocabulary

• 난세 “Nan-se”: Troubled Era
• 빈부 격차 “Bin-bu Gyeok-cha”: Wealth Disparity
• 재분배 정책 “Jae-bun-bae Jeong-chaek”: Redistribution Policy
• 선순환 “Seon-sun-hwan”: Virtuous Cycle
• 가계 부채 “Ga-gye Bu-chae”: Household Debt
• 발권력 “Bal-gwon-nyeok”: Power of Issuance
• 양적 완화 “Plus-jeok Wan-hwa”: Quantitative Easing
• 저출산 “Jeo-chul-san”: Low Birthrate
• 고령 사회 “Go-ryeong Sa-hoe”: Aging Society
• 모병제 “Mo-byeong-je”: Volunteer Military System

신인난세 1-2 모범 답안 처방은 없는가 허경영

The Hero of a Troubled Era: Huh kyung young’s Prescriptions for National Challenges

Tags: “National Crisis, Political Reform, Economic Solutions, Social Welfare, Demographic Challenges, Educational Innovation, Judicial Reform”

1. The Imperative for Political Rectification

Our nation currently faces a severe economic depression, marked by deepening wealth disparity and increasing hardship for its citizens. A myriad of complex issues plague every sector, including politics, economy, society, education, and national security. To resolve these multifaceted challenges, the political system must first be set right. This is because the root cause of most problems, and their ultimate solutions, lie within the realm of politics. Without a rectified political landscape, resolving other issues becomes nearly impossible. Historically, when the nation faced calamities or natural disasters like drought, it was believed that the monarch’s misgovernance had incurred divine punishment, leading kings to offer sacrifices and seek atonement. Indeed, the current paradox of a wealthy nation with struggling citizens largely stems from the accountability of politicians. However, I have yet to hear of any politician who genuinely acknowledges and takes responsibility for this. A revolutionary overhaul of the political system is absolutely essential.

2. Reforming the Legislative and Local Governance Structures

I propose a drastic reduction in the number of National Assembly members, transforming their roles into unpaid, honorary positions, and discontinuing state funding for their aides. The system of special privileges for National Assembly members should also be abolished, as it exacerbates the phenomenon of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Furthermore, local government elections should be abolished, and local council members should revert to unpaid, honorary positions, as they were initially. Such positions must genuinely serve the people and the nation. When these roles are purely for service, individuals truly dedicated to the welfare of the public and local communities will step forward. If these positions offer substantial salaries, ranging from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of Korean Won annually, along with numerous special privileges and benefits, there is a much higher probability that individuals driven by material gain and prestige, rather than genuine public service, will seek them. Such individuals often prioritize their own interests, considering what might hinder their pursuit of personal gain.

3. Eliminating Partisan Politics and Fostering Independent Representation

Political parties, which are often entangled in factionalism, should be abolished. Individuals aspiring to become National Assembly members should be able to work independently, without party affiliation, to serve the nation and its citizens according to their convictions. The reason politicians affiliated with parties cannot help but adhere to party directives is that party interests inevitably take precedence, making it difficult to uphold any promises made to the public or local residents. If politics were transformed in this manner, individuals with a strong spirit of service would work for the people, and unnecessary budgetary expenditures would decrease, allowing more resources to be allocated to policies that genuinely benefit citizens. Moreover, abolishing party politics would eliminate the tiresome partisan conflicts, akin to factional disputes, thereby ending ideological divisions and confrontations among the populace. This would enable greater dedication to drafting legislation and developing policies for the nation and its people, focusing on resolving national challenges, including those affecting livelihoods.

4. Prioritizing Public Welfare and Addressing Wealth Disparity

Politics is about managing the affairs of the nation. In managing these affairs, the lives and well-being of the people, who are the true owners of the nation, must be central. Politicians, above all else, must concentrate on improving public welfare. The increasing hardship in people’s lives is a direct consequence of the widening gap between the rich and the poor. This deepening wealth disparity is the primary reason for the paradox of a developed nation with struggling citizens. This phenomenon can intensify further with the advancement of high-tech industries. Therefore, an innovative approach to the distribution system is essential. The most effective distribution system involves redistribution policies that serve as a benchmark, benefiting nearly all citizens. This includes measures that are appropriate for the nation’s circumstances and its people. Such measures could elevate all citizens to the middle class or above without undue strain, and are not merely a means to further economic development. With additional income earned through individual work, beyond the monthly payments from the state, citizens can enjoy comfortable and prosperous lives. Naturally, this would alleviate the rich-poor divide, reduce the relative sense of deprivation among ordinary citizens, and significantly diminish conflict and discord among the populace.

5. Balancing Economic Growth with Welfare and Corporate Support

While our nation is often characterized by economic regulations, we must not neglect economic growth by solely asserting cultural values if we are to elevate all citizens to the middle class or higher and further improve living standards. For economic growth, the capitalist market economy remains the most efficient economic system. In terms of productivity and efficiency, no economic system has surpassed capitalism to date. Therefore, it is necessary to lift various regulations on businesses and remove elements that impede corporate development, thereby ensuring free economic activity. We should avoid inheritance taxes that could lead to our companies being acquired by foreign capital, and the state must protect the survival rights of businesses. Labor union strikes hinder corporate progress, and for the development of businesses, which are the backbone of national economic growth, the state needs to intervene and resolve this issue institutionally. By abolishing labor unions and establishing something like an entrepreneur’s council, where workers’ representatives and management participate in running the company, workers’ rights can be protected without confrontation and struggle, and businesses can accelerate their activities. This system views labor and management not through a dichotomous lens, but from a holistic perspective as a corporate family, thereby resolving unnecessary labor-management conflicts and fostering a structure where both workers and management thrive. It goes without saying that if businesses prosper and the economy grows, assets will naturally increase. In other words, the “pie” will grow larger. This enlarged pie must then be returned to the people through distribution systems such as a dividend system. When the results of economic growth are returned to the people, a virtuous cycle in the national economy occurs. That is, citizens will not only save the money received from the state but also spend it, leading to vibrant consumption activities, which will undoubtedly benefit businesses. Businesses will increase employment, and citizens will see more job opportunities. The state will also receive more taxes from these prosperous businesses, enabling it to purchase more goods. This symbiotic relationship among economic actors, continuously expanding the overall economic scale of the community, is a crucial core point, and my series of proposals are structured to achieve this.

6. Addressing Household Debt and Promoting Economic Revitalization

Another urgent economic issue facing our nation is household debt. As of the first quarter of 2021, Korea’s household debt exceeded 1,700 trillion Korean Won, with the household debt-to-GDP ratio reaching 97%, equivalent to the nation’s total production. This is an extremely serious problem. Economic turmoil could ensue, and the lives of citizens could be completely shaken. The government must seriously contemplate this issue and formulate countermeasures. It is crucial to remember that before individual responsibility, the state’s policies bear responsibility for citizens incurring debt. Therefore, to prevent socio-economic difficulties arising from household debt and to fulfill its practical responsibility, the state needs to forgive household debt at least once. By having the Bank of Korea purchase government bonds through its power of issuance and implement quantitative easing, household debt can be converted into national debt, largely resolving the problems associated with it. household debt includes not only consumption but also luxury spending. Resolving this debt, which has reached a critical threshold, would not only prevent socio-economic chaos such as bank failures, corporate bankruptcies, and financial crises, but also stimulate consumption and contribute to economic revitalization. This approach has already been implemented in the United States and Japan to stimulate their economies during periods of ultra-low interest rates. Japan’s Abenomics, centered on quantitative easing, successfully overcame a long period of economic stagnation and achieved its objectives to some extent, a fact well-known to us. Furthermore, for those who have already become credit defaulters due to inability to repay debt, I believe that if the state provides a one-time, interest-free, collateral-free loan for about 20 years to help them rebuild, they can escape their suffering, and it would also have a national unity effect.

7. Tackling the Declining Birthrate and Investing in Future Generations

Another critical issue in our nation is the birthrate. For several years, Korea has recorded the lowest birthrate among OECD countries, with the number of newborns plummeting year after year. This poses immediate economic problems, such as a decrease in the working-age population, and in the long term, it is a very serious issue that could lead to the disappearance of our ethnic group from the planet. Extraordinary measures are required to address this. The low birthrate is a complex problem influenced by many factors, including employment, marriage, housing, childcare, education, and public awareness. Therefore, the solutions must also be multifaceted. To increase the birthrate, we must first create conditions that enable marriage. If the state provides enough money for monthly living expenses, people can marry even without employment. Next, the state must provide financial support for marriage expenses and even for acquiring a home, even if it’s a small one, for those who marry. This should be viewed as an investment in the future of the nation and its people. Furthermore, when a child is born, approximately 50 million Korean Won should be directly provided to the family per newborn. Bold investment is needed to reverse the rapidly declining birthrate graph into an upward curve. I believe this would lead to a sharp increase in families having children. In cases where the wife dedicates herself to childcare at home, providing childcare allowances to support the household economy would stabilize the family and benefit the child’s emotional development. Therefore, implementing such a measure for about 10 years of childcare is desirable. The state must deeply recognize that issues such as employment, livelihood, marriage, childbirth, and childcare are not merely individual problems but national and societal issues concerning the members who constitute the state and society. For the happiness of its citizens, as well as the survival of the nation and the continuation of its people, the state must actively step forward and make bold investments. I believe there is no other way to solve this problem.

8. Addressing the Aging Society and Ensuring Senior Welfare

Currently, our nation is an aging society where the number of newborns is decreasing, and the elderly population is rapidly increasing, with those aged 65 and over exceeding 14%. It is projected that we will soon become a super-aged society where the elderly population accounts for over 20%. The aging of the population entails many problems, but the most urgent is securing old-age provisions. While the government is indeed concerned about this issue and formulating countermeasures, long-term old-age provisions for the entire population remain insufficient. The current national pension system, implemented as a nationwide old-age provision, is not the right approach as its plans are subject to change. It is the state’s duty to ensure that its citizens, who are the owners of the nation, can lead stable lives in their old age. The current national pension system not only imposes a burden similar to taxes on citizens but is also an unstable system, with the age for receiving benefits gradually being delayed due to fund depletion issues, and predictions that the fund will be completely exhausted by around 2054. Therefore, I believe such a system should be gradually phased out. Instead, it is desirable for the state to provide old-age allowances, recognizing the contributions of the elderly who contributed to the national economy with their capabilities in their younger years. In fact, this system is among the proposals I put forth early on. During the administration of former President Park Geun-hye, monthly payments of 200,000 Korean Won began for seniors aged 65 and over who were in the bottom 70% of wealth, and I apprehend that this amount is currently around 300,000 Korean Won. However, I still consider that amount to be insufficient. If approximately 700,000 Korean Won were paid monthly, along with a dividend system for all citizens, seniors would not need to seek employment and could live their remaining years comfortably, receiving due respect. Everyone acknowledges that there are problems with Korea’s pension system.

9. Educational Reform: Shifting from Competition to Aptitude

Furthermore, issues such as a lack of creativity, the prevalence of private education expenses, unfairness, and the failure of character education are also pointed out as problems. As with all problems, the approach to solving educational issues is crucial. The core of school education problems lies in the university entrance examination system. Everything related to education changes depending on the nature of the entrance examination system. From the students’ perspective, deciding university admission based on one or two exams is problematic. If a student is not in good condition on the day of the exam, they may not be able to properly demonstrate their accumulated abilities. Moreover, it is undesirable for all the learning and development that should occur during adolescence to be compressed into a single period. Therefore, the College Scholastic Ability Test should be abolished. Instead, if the entrance examination system is reformed so that students take only one subject exam over three years of high school, tailored to their aptitude and talent, and university admission is determined by cumulative scores, students can enjoy their studies, excessive competition for admission will disappear, and students can enter universities that match their aptitudes and talents. If the remaining subjects only require attendance, adolescents will not suffer from the “entrance exam hell” thereby protecting their emotional well-being and health. Furthermore, this would foster a society where people can live together. I believe that the chronic educational problems that have remained unresolved will be alleviated. I believe this is indeed the right direction to move forward.

10. Judicial and Military Reforms for a Safer and Stronger Nation

Prisons, which often serve as schools for criminal methods rather than correctional facilities, should all be abolished, except for one or two facilities for serious offenders. Instead of incarcerating offenders, they should be made to pay fines, which would reduce the crime rate and save budget. At this time, if fines and penalties are set at three to four times the original amount, with smaller amounts for livelihood crimes committed by low-income individuals, and higher fines for the wealthy who have accumulated wealth through societal and national economic means, considering social responsibility and fairness, it would reduce illegal acts and drunk driving, and increase state revenue. Furthermore, abolishing the conscription system, a relic of an old era, and implementing a volunteer military system would alleviate military service stress for citizens, eliminate the need for military exemptions, improve the combat readiness of the armed forces, and contribute to solving unemployment. Additionally, if compensation is provided to veterans of the Korean War and Vietnam War, as well as to Korean miners and nurses dispatched to Germany, who sacrificed and contributed to the nation and its people, with substantial amounts and monthly patriotic allowances, and if their direct family members receive support upon their death, the morale of the people would be greatly boosted, combat power would be enhanced, and patriotism would be further promoted.

11. Holistic Problem Solving and National Leadership

Beyond these, there are various other methods to resolve the myriad problems facing our nation. When addressing socio-economic issues, the principle of reciprocal resolution is crucial. Complex problems are difficult to solve if dealt with in isolation and piecemeal. Often, solving one problem leads to the emergence of another. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a holistic and macroscopic perspective, looking to the future, to gain insight into and analyze problems together, and to seek comprehensive solutions. Problem-solving should not be abstract but as concrete as possible. Regarding the budget required for problem-solving, methods should be found to discover new revenue sources or reduce unnecessary budgetary support, rather than imposing burdens on the public. if there are methods to stimulate the economy, increase employment, and thereby increase tax revenues, as mentioned in the various proposals above, there would be no better approach. If plans and solutions for problems are interconnected as a mechanism, operating as a single system, ensuring that all problems are resolved smoothly and even generating synergy effects, then such a problem-solving method can be considered the best. I believe that anyone aspiring to be the supreme leader of a nation must have a thorough plan prepared in advance, outlining what they will do and how they will do it for the people once they assume such a position. In other words, they must possess a blueprint for national governance. And before becoming the supreme leader, they must present this blueprint to the public. The position of supreme national leader is that solemn. It is unacceptable to speak about how national systems or order, which can profoundly affect the destiny of a nation and the lives of all its citizens, will be, only after assuming power. And the people must demand this from anyone seeking to become the supreme leader of the nation. They must ask how the nation will be governed, what will be prioritized, and how economic policies and public welfare will be addressed. Furthermore, they must demand the presentation of policies that are concrete to some extent, not vague plans. Without such clarity, it is obvious that there will be many trials and errors and mistakes in governance, and ultimately, the damage will fall squarely on the people.

Vocabulary

• 난세 “Nan-se”: Troubled Era
• 빈부 격차 “Bin-bu Gyeok-cha”: Wealth Disparity
• 재분배 정책 “Jae-bun-bae Jeong-chaek”: Redistribution Policy
• 선순환 “Seon-sun-hwan”: Virtuous Cycle
• 가계 부채 “Ga-gye Bu-chae”: Household Debt
• 발권력 “Bal-gwon-nyeok”: Power of Issuance
• 양적 완화 “Plus-jeok Wan-hwa”: Quantitative Easing
• 저출산 “Jeo-chul-san”: Low Birthrate
• 고령 사회 “Go-ryeong Sa-hoe”: Aging Society
• 모병제 “Mo-byeong-je”: Volunteer Military System

신인난세 1-3 누가 ‘포퓰리즘’이라는 딱지를 붙이는가

The Hero of a Troubled Era, Huh kyung young: Who Labels It ‘Populism’?

1. Addressing Societal Ills and Misconceptions

Many people are beginning to resonate with the solutions I propose for resolving the myriad of complex issues plaguing our nation, particularly the widening gap between the rich and the poor. This is evident even within the political sphere, where many policies now address the very problems I have highlighted and often mirror my proposed solutions. However, there are still those who dismiss these ideas as unrealistic or fanciful, failing to grasp their profound implications and potential effectiveness. This skepticism is particularly directed at cash disbursement policies, such as the dividend system aimed at alleviating wealth inequality, which are often unfairly labeled as populist measures. Some critics even suggest that implementing such policies would lead our nation down a path similar to Venezuela.

2. Distinguishing Responsible Policies from Populism

I must emphatically state that these proposals are not absurd populism. They are not mere sugar-coated, popularity-seeking policies put forth to achieve immediate political objectives without clear strategies for funding or accountability for potential outcomes. My proposed solutions are meticulously planned with comprehensive financial strategies.

3. A Critical Comparison: Korea vs. Venezuela

It is inappropriate to draw a simplistic comparison between South Korea and Venezuela. Our industrial structure is fundamentally different. Venezuela’s national economy is almost entirely dependent on oil exports. This singular reliance makes it highly vulnerable to severe economic shocks if oil extraction falters or export prices plummet. A sudden disappearance of national funds, previously distributed to the populace from oil revenues, could instantly plunge the entire nation into chaos.

4. Korea’s Diversified Economic Strength

In stark contrast, South Korea boasts a highly diversified industrial base, ranging from cutting-edge technology to primary industries and agriculture, with a wide array of export items. Our national economy does not hinge on one or two export commodities.

5. Financial Feasibility: Dispelling Doubts

The most frequent question I encounter regarding my scientific and rational approaches to solving Korea’s problems is about the source of the funds. I assure you, our nation, with its impressive economic scale, can absolutely secure the necessary budget. If we manage our budget prudently, eliminating waste and leakage, we can certainly afford to provide for our citizens. It is not that the nation lacks money; rather, there is an abundance of mismanaged funds.

6. Echoes of Truth from Other Leaders

This is not an idle assertion. Lee Jae-myung, while serving as Seongnam Mayor, once stated at a forum that he deeply respects Huh kyung young, echoing the sentiment that “the nation does not lack money; rather, there is an abundance of mismanaged funds.” He later announced a basic income pledge to provide 60,000 won annually to all citizens. This demonstrates that even a participant in the Democratic Party’s presidential primary acknowledges that if the astronomical budget is not executed carelessly and wastefully as it is now, the nation can manage its finances effectively and still allocate a significant portion to its citizens.

7. Strategic Budgetary Reforms for Fund Allocation

The foremost step in securing funds is to meticulously review the current budget, identifying and eliminating non-statutory or unnecessary expenditures, and thoroughly preventing any leakage or waste. In my assessment, a substantial portion of Korea’s current budget is allocated to unnecessary spending. I believe approximately 70% could be reduced, potentially reaching 90%. Significant savings could be achieved by measures such as:

• Cessation of overseas training for politicians: This includes discontinuing national treasury support for honorary, unpaid positions like National Assembly members.
• Abolition of political party subsidies.
• Elimination of local government elections.
• Halting excessive regional development projects.
• Abolition of gender equality budgets.
• Disbanding the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
  Furthermore, substantial savings can be realized by addressing the irrational situation where the research and preparation phases of a policy consume more budget than the actual implementation targeting the beneficiaries. For instance, in birth promotion policies, more funds are often spent on researching the policy than on supporting the actual births.

8. Reforming Welfare and Judicial Systems

Comprehensive reform of the welfare system, by eliminating selective welfare programs such as the basic livelihood security system, would also yield significant budget savings. By eradicating misused, unnecessary, and immediate-need-less budgets, as well as politically motivated, redundant expenditures, and by preventing budget leakage, a substantial portion of funds can be directly returned to the public.

In the judicial sector, amending the criminal law to apply freedom-restricting penalties like imprisonment only to serious offenders, and imposing fines for minor offenses, would save considerable national funds currently spent on managing prisons and inmates. Moreover, implementing a system where fines and penalties are proportional to the minimum wage could generate substantial additional revenue.

9. Innovative Revenue Generation Strategies

Another method to save and potentially increase national funds is to simplify the tax system by consolidating numerous tax categories. This approach reduces tax collection costs and streamlines tax administration, leading to both budget savings and increased tax revenue.

Additionally, implementing a tax point system could boost tax revenue. Under this system, taxpayers who pay significant taxes or are diligent in their tax obligations would receive tax points, treating them as national contributors. If a public enterprise faces a crisis, those with many tax points would receive full government support to overcome it. This institutionalization would not only encourage voluntary tax increases but also foster public support and increased product consumption for such companies, boosting their profits, which in turn leads to higher tax revenues and a greater share for the public.

Furthermore, by formalizing and licensing currently informal brokers, touts, and so-called “operators” as special business operators, tax revenue can be secured. This legalization would allow anyone to register as a special business operator. Encouraging this activity across various sectors, including real estate, finance, and healthcare, would lead to a legitimate and significant increase in tax revenue from these special operators.

Beyond simply raising tax rates, there are ample methods to increase revenue by preventing tax evasion among high-income earners and creating new tax sources. If the government were to collect more taxes from the public only to redistribute it back, it would be akin to taking from one pocket to give to another, offering no real benefit to the citizens.

10. The True Nature of Populism vs. Realistic Solutions

Populism is characterized by sugar-coated promises made to gain immediate popularity without any concrete plans. However, the solutions I propose are entirely feasible through institutional arrangements. They can significantly elevate the overall quality of life for all citizens. Moreover, these various proposals are interconnected, forming a mechanism that, when integrated into a single system, can dramatically advance the national economy. Such realistic, scientific, and predictable solutions should not be dismissed as populism.

Just as it is difficult to discern whether a gold nugget wrapped in a cloth is gold or mere dirt, if my proposals are hastily labeled with the derogatory term “low-quality populism” their incredible potential to upgrade our nation, our people, and even the entire world will remain unrecognized. I am confident that, with time, all citizens will come to acknowledge that these proposals were indeed timely, brilliant, and truly groundbreaking.

11. The Populism of Others: A Critical Perspective

Recently, many individuals have begun to propose solutions similar to mine. These range from small-scale policies by local governments offering monthly payments for childbirth, to Na Kyung-won’s grand proposal during the Seoul mayoral preliminary election to provide 100 million won for newlywed couples upon childbirth. These are all measures to directly support parents with cash to encourage childbirth, aligning with the spirit of my own childbirth proposals, regardless of the specific amounts.

Similarly, proposals such as reducing the number of National Assembly members to 100, Lee Jae-myung’s youth allowance during his time as Seongnam Mayor, Nam Kyung-pil’s call for a volunteer military system, former President Park Geun-hye’s basic old-age pension “now providing up to 300,000 won monthly”, President Moon Jae-in’s suggestion to relocate the UN headquarters, Lee Jae-myung’s recent proposal for minimum wage-linked fines, and various politicians’ pledges for basic income, all bear resemblance to my proposals or fall within their sphere of influence.

While some, like the basic income system, differ from my proposals in their fundamental spirit, nature, and funding mechanisms, they align in the aspect of directly providing a certain amount of cash to the public.

However, it is precisely these cash disbursement policies, put forth by politicians from both ruling and opposition parties, that are truly populist. This is because they promise to give money to the public without realistic alternatives like budget cuts. Such approaches inevitably lead to budget shortfalls, forcing reliance on tax increases or national debt expansion.

While I also advocate for increasing national debt, my approach involves converting the dangerously high household debt into national debt. Furthermore, my comprehensive set of proposals forms a mechanism that stimulates economic activity, expands the national economy, and naturally increases tax revenue, creating a virtuous economic cycle. Therefore, any resulting increase in debt would not be problematic.

In contrast, these politicians lack concrete plans for how to manage the increased national debt that would result from their proposed policies. Indeed, under the current administration, national debt has increased by approximately 118 trillion won over the past four years, primarily due to childbirth support funds and COVID-19 relief payments. Increasing debt without clear alternatives deteriorates the nation’s fiscal health, and international repayment ultimately relies on citizens’ taxes, thereby burdening the public even further.

12. My Strategy to Awaken the Public

I have long had a strategy to convey my vision to the people, which I call LSC. The ‘L’ stands for..

Tags: “Huh kyung young, Populism, Economic Reform, Fiscal Policy, National Debt, Welfare Reform, Tax System”

Vocabulary

• 난세 “亂世”: Troubled Era
• 부익부빈익빈 “富Benefit富PovertyBenefitPoverty”: Widening Wealth Gap
• 포퓰리즘 “Populism”: Popularity-Seeking Policies
• 재원 조달 “財源調達”: Fund Procurement
• 산업 구조 “産業構造”: Industrial Structure
• 다각화 “Abundance角Transform”: Diversification
• 예산 누수 “豫算漏Water”: Budget Leakage
• 선별적 복지 “選別的福祉”: Selective Welfare
• 세수 증대 “稅收增Big”: Tax Revenue Increase
• 선순환 경제 “Goodness循環ScriptureHelp”: Virtuous Economic Cycle

신인난세 2-2 소명을 받은 민족

The Prepared Nation: A Vision for Humanity

1. The Intellect of the Korean People

The Korean people possess the highest average IQ globally. Scientific studies conducted by universities in the United Kingdom and Finland, which surveyed 185 countries, confirm this. While Hong Kong initially ranked first with an IQ of 107, and Korea second with 106, Hong Kong’s average is influenced by its integration with mainland China’s average of 100. This adjustment places Korea’s intellectual capacity at the pinnacle. Even North Koreans, despite their circumstances, exhibit high intelligence and rationality. The Japanese also possess unique intellectual traits, attributed to their shared ancestry with the Korean people. However, they do not surpass the intellectual prowess of Koreans residing on the Korean Peninsula. Notably, Masayoshi Son, the wealthiest individual in Japan, is of Korean descent. His significant investment of 20 million dollars in Alibaba’s Jack Ma, who was once China’s richest person, illustrates the profound influence of Korean heritage on global economic leadership. This emphasis on the Korean people’s superior IQ is to highlight their immense potential to become the center of the global economy and a prominent nation on the international stage.

2. The Excellence of the Korean People

The Korean people are indeed an exceptionally outstanding nation.

• Hangeul, the Korean Alphabet:
  • King Sejong’s creation, Hangeul, is recognized worldwide as the finest writing system and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage document.
  • Its creation principles, inspired by scientific structures and the “Cheon-ji-in” “heaven, earth, human” philosophy, are remarkably scientific.
  • Hangeul boasts exceptional practicality, capable of expressing any spoken word, and is remarkably easy to learn.
  • It is also the fastest script for computer typing, 60 times faster than Chinese characters and twice as fast as English, making it optimal for the IT era.
  • The United States annually awards the “King Sejong Literacy Prize” to those who have significantly contributed to global civilization, acknowledging Hangeul as the easiest script to learn and most effective for transforming lives.
• Ondol, the Traditional Heating System:
  • The excellence of the Korean people is also evident in the Ondol culture, Korea’s unique heating system used since the Iron Age.
  • This system involves creating channels beneath the room floor for heat to pass through, then laying flat stones. When a fire is lit in the agungi “Firebox”, the heat travels through these channels, warming the stone slabs, which retain heat for extended periods.
  • The stone slab section is called gudeul, and each individual stone is a gudeuljang.
  • The channels for the flames are known as gorae or gwanggorae, from which the names of ancient kingdoms, “The Kingdom of High Fortress” and Goryeo, are derived.
  • Ondol was a highly efficient, hygienic, and superior indigenous heating technology compared to European heating methods of its time.
• The Miracle on the Han River:
  • Today, the Korean people have achieved the “Miracle on the Han River” from the ashes of war, establishing themselves as a top 10 global economic power.
  • They lead the world as an IT powerhouse and have sparked the “Hallyu” “Korean Wave” phenomenon worldwide.
  • The Korean people are not only intellectually brilliant but also possess immense potential when guided by an exceptional national leader.
  • A prime example is the rapid development into an economic powerhouse under the leadership of President Park chung hee, despite the devastation of the Korean War and a lack of capital.
  • However, while the nation has overcome traditional and absolute poverty, it now faces deepening inequality and relative poverty due to the ills of capitalism and corrupt politicians. The middle class is collapsing, and the lives of ordinary citizens are increasingly burdened.
  • Thus, the Korean people are once again at a juncture where a great leader is desperately needed.

3. The Noble Spirit of the Korean People

The Korean people are not only intellectually superior but also a highly principled nation dedicated to benefiting humanity and upholding human morality.

• Ancient Scriptures and Ideals:
  • Ancient national scriptures like Sambulkyeong, Samgyesin, and Samjeunggaegyeong contain holy teachings aimed at enlightening the human world.
  • Their content reveals why the Korean people earned the moniker “Eastern Nation of Courtesy.”
  • Furthermore, the founding ideal of Gojoseon, Hongik Ingan—”to broadly benefit all humanity”—is an astonishingly high-minded national ideal unmatched by any other nation or state in the world.
  • The renowned British historian Arnold Toynbee expressed profound admiration for Korea’s Hongik Ingan philosophy, stating it should be the core ideology guiding the future world.
  • Hermann Hesse, the Romanian author who won the Nobel Prize in Literature for “The 25th Hour” was so impressed by Hongik Ingan that he planted mugunghwa “Rose of Sharon” in his garden and often thought of Korea.
• Eight Great National Virtues:
  • Hyo “Filial piety”, Je “Fraternity”, Chung “loyalty”, Sin “trustworthiness”, Ye “courtesy”, Yeom “integrity”, and Chi “shame/conscience” are the eight great national virtues.
  • The Korean people were taught to honor their parents, maintain fraternal affection, be loyal to their nation, and uphold trust among people.
  • They valued respect and courtesy, firmly resisted injustice, and felt shame when they committed wrongs.
  • Confucius himself reportedly wished to live in Korea, the “Eastern Nation of Courtesy” highlighting the nation’s reverence for propriety.
  • Despite numerous threats, the Korean people were a peace-loving nation that never invaded others. Yet, when the nation faced existential crisis, they would rise valiantly, sacrificing their lives without hesitation.
  • Thus, the Korean people, by upholding these virtues and fostering them across generations, are a resilient and vibrant nation that has continuously inherited a beautiful spirit and essence.

4. The Geopolitical Significance of the Korean Peninsula

The geopolitical location of the Korean Peninsula is exceptionally unique.

• Surrounded by Great Powers:
  • Powerful nations surround Korea: Japan and the United States to the east, China to the west, and Russia to the north.
  • This position, often likened to a “shrimp caught in a whale fight” is frequently viewed as disadvantageous, risking becoming a battleground or a bargaining chip for great powers.
  • Indeed, Korea’s colonization by Japan and its division were partly due to the political and military dealings and conflicting interests of these great powers.
• The Korean War as an International Conflict:
  • The Korean War, though initiated by North Korea’s invasion, was not merely an internal conflict.
  • Behind North Korea’s Kim Il Sung stood the Soviet Union’s Stalin.
  • President Syngman Rhee, leveraging his relationship with General Douglas MacArthur, requested swift and strong American intervention.
  • The U.S., fearing the communization of the peninsula, promptly urged action from the UN Security Council, which resolved to form a UN force composed of allied nations.
  • The deployment of these UN forces transformed the Korean War into an international conflict.
• Current Risks and Opportunities:
  • Today, the Korean Peninsula remains highly susceptible to becoming a battlefield amidst the hegemonic struggle between the U.S. and China, often placing Korea in a difficult political position.
  • However, this geographical location is not solely a disadvantage.
  • Instead, it presents six “Fisherman’s gain” scenarios, offering significant advantages if diplomacy is skillfully managed.
  • These scenarios involve leveraging conflicts between:
  • China and Russia
  • China and Japan
  • Russia and Japan
  • The U.S. and China
  • The U.S. and Russia
  • The U.S. and Japan
  • The “Fisherman’s gain” analogy describes a situation where two powerful entities are in conflict, and a third party benefits. For example, if a stork tries to eat a clam, and the clam clamps onto the stork’s beak, a scarecrow might appear and capture the stork, thus gaining from their struggle.
  • Similarly, Korea can achieve substantial benefits by skillfully navigating the rivalries among these great powers.
  • This requires a wise and capable leader, particularly one adept in diplomacy, who can guide the nation to control and lead these powerful countries.
  • Conversely, a indecisive leader, like Emperor Gojong during the late Joseon Dynasty, who fails to grasp the political landscape and favors one side, could lead to national disintegration and crisis.
  • Thus, Korea is uniquely positioned to attract such an exceptional leader.

5. The Auspicious Geomantic Position of the Korean Peninsula

Beyond its geopolitical significance, the Korean Peninsula holds a highly distinctive position from a traditional geomantic perspective.

• Global Geomantic Configuration:
  • When a world map is centered on Korea, the Americas, including Japan and the U.S., are positioned as the “Azure Dragon” to the left.
  • China, Europe, and Africa occupy the “White Tiger” position to the right, embracing Korea like wings.
  • To the south of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, Taiwan, the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and Australia form a protective “Ansan” “Front mountain”, safeguarding the peninsula.
  • Japan, in particular, acts as a barrier against tsunamis from the Pacific.
  • The Southeast Asian nations, acting as the “Ansan” successively block typhoons originating near the equator and moving northward, weakening their force and protecting the peninsula.
  • In essence, the Korean Peninsula resembles the “womb of the Earth” perfectly protected by its surroundings, making it a supreme geomantic site.
• The Earth’s Core and New Beginnings:
  • A womb is where new life is conceived, nurtured, and prepared before entering the world.
  • The Korean Peninsula is also considered the “core of the Earth” where the Earth’s vital energy is most powerfully concentrated.
  • The superior quality of Korean ginseng is attributed to this potent terrestrial energy.
  • Foreigners acknowledge the strong vitality of Korea’s indigenous plants.
  • Similarly, the Korean people, born on this peninsula, exhibit strong resilience and diligence wherever they go.
  • A “core” is never large.
  • China, for centuries, was steeped in the “Middle Kingdom” ideology, viewing itself as the center and surrounding peoples as barbarians.
  • In reality, a large nation cannot be the core.
• The Purpose of Korea’s Location:
  • The Korean Peninsula’s strategic location as a geopolitical nexus is not without reason.
  • It is because the Korean people are destined to lead the world in future history, and it is the place where the leader who will guide this nation will emerge.
  • Geomantically, Korea is situated in the “womb” position and, geographically, in the “Gan-bang” “northeast direction”.
  • Gan-bang signifies the convergence of beginning and end.
  • When humanity concludes its long history of struggle under the law of the jungle and transitions to an era of legal coexistence and co-prosperity, this new era will commence on the Korean Peninsula, the Earth’s womb and prime land.
  • Just as a tiger cannot help but give birth, after a long history of countless invasions and periods of foreign domination, the Korean people were ultimately able to protect and reclaim this land due to the divine mission bestowed upon this land and its people.

6. The Prophetic Destiny of the Korean People

Our ancestors embedded the destiny of the Korean people in the names of mountains at the northern and southern ends of the peninsula.

• Baekdusan and Hallasan:
  • Baekdusan, in the north, means “the mountain where all people ascend to become leaders.”
  • Hallasan, in the south, means “to govern all things.” The character “Han” “漢” here refers to powerful nations, such as the Han Dynasty of China or the Han ethnic group. Thus, Hallasan signifies “the mountain that leads and controls great powers.”
  • In essence, Baekdusan and Hallasan embody the Korean people’s destiny to lead all great nations of the world in the future.
  • Eastern studies like I Ching, Feng Shui, and Onomastics contain universal principles of heaven, earth, and humanity.
• Korea as a Global Leader:
  • Korea is destined to become a leading nation in the world.
  • Many believe that in the 21st century, the Korean people and Korea will lead the world.
  • Arnold Toynbee, the British historian known for his extensive work “A Study of History” stated in a 1973 interview with the Dong-A Ilbo that if the world were to unite in the 21st century, its center would be Northeast Asia, and its core ideology should be Korea’s Hongik Ingan philosophy.
  • In the “Gyukam’s legacy records” by Nam Sa-Go, a Joseon Dynasty scholar renowned for his expertise in Feng Shui and astronomy, it is written that a divine being, appearing to be both human and not, will emerge from a place that seems like an island but is not, to build a paradise on Earth. He lamented that people would fail to recognize this sacred figure.
  • The description “seems like an island but is not” refers to the Korean Peninsula, which appears separated from the continent by the Tumen and Amnok Rivers, making it seem like an island yet not.
  • Rabindranath Tagore, the Indian poet laureate, during his visit to Japan, was invited to visit Korea but could not. In apology, he penned the poem “The Lamp of the East” in which he wrote, “Korea, one of the lamps that shone in Asia’s golden age, when that lamp is relit, you shall be the bright light of the East.”
  • Rudolf Steiner, a German philosopher, spiritual scientist, and founder of Anthroposophy, taught his disciples that during major civilizational shifts, a “Grail nation” would emerge to propose new ways of life.
  • This nation would possess individual and collective spirituality, having endured foreign invasions and internal oppression, yet holding dreams and ideals for life and the world in their hearts.
  • During the Roman era, at a civilizational turning point, this Grail was with the Jewish people.
  • However, in the current era, which is a much greater second turning point, this nation is in East Asia. He urged his disciples to find this nation.
  • Among his disciples was a Japanese man who, after studying Korean history, concluded that the Korean people were this nation.
  • Numerous other prophecies suggest that the Korean people and Korea will lead the world, and some view these as mere fantasies.
  • However, these prophecies have been passed down from ancient Korean predictions, often made without specific knowledge of the future.
• Korea’s Preparedness for Global Leadership:
  • The Korean people possess exceptional intellect and the noble spiritual world of Hongik Ingan, equipping them with the ability and qualities to lead the world.
  • Korea is also prepared as the “core” to transform the world, possessing unique conditions geopolitically, academically, and qualitatively.
  • These developments are also occurring in the unseen world, and the fact that many scholars and prophets worldwide foretell Korea as the future central nation leading the world is due to the workings of this unseen realm.
  • This divine mission for Korea has been known for a long time.
  • The time to fulfill this mission is now because this era is marked by a decline in ethics and morality, where the law of the jungle dominates human society, threatening chaos. Furthermore, human selfishness has pushed the Earth’s environment to the brink of irreversible destruction.
  • The advancement of the internet allows words, texts, and videos to be transmitted globally within hours.
  • This technological capability to easily convey messages worldwide also indicates that this is the time to fulfill the mission.
  • It is earnestly hoped that the Korean people will swiftly awaken from their deep slumber and realize their divine mission: to spread the Hongik Ingan philosophy, proclaimed by Dangun, the progenitor, across the globe, and to usher in a unified world of “Hwa-i-bu-dong” “harmony in diversity”, where individuals, though distinct in their personalities, achieve beautiful harmony within a healthy global environment.

Tags: “Korean Intellect, Global Leadership, Hongik Ingan, Geopolitics, Prophecy, Cultural Excellence, National Destiny”

Vocabulary

• IQ “Intelligence Quotient”: A measure of human intelligence.
• Hangeul “한글”: The Korean alphabet, renowned for its scientific design and ease of learning.
• Ondol “온돌”: Korea’s traditional underfloor heating system.
• Agungi “아궁이”: The firebox or hearth used in the Ondol system.
• Gudeul “구들”: The stone slab section of the Ondol system.
• Gorae “고래”: The channels beneath the floor through which heat passes in the Ondol system.
• Miracle on the Han River “한강의 기적”: The rapid economic development of South Korea after the Korean War.
• Hallyu “한류”: The Korean Wave, referring to the global popularity of South Korean culture.
• Hongik Ingan “홍익인간”: The founding philosophy of Gojoseon, meaning “to broadly benefit all humanity.”
• Hwa-i-bu-dong “화이부동”: A philosophy asserting harmony in diversity, where differences are respected while maintaining unity.

신인난세 2-3 아버지의 꿈, 나의 꿈

The Visionary Leader: Huh kyung young’s Path to a Transformed World

1. The Legacy of a Father’s Dream: Compassion and Sacrifice

My father, whom I barely remember as he passed away when I was less than six months old, lived during a tumultuous period in Korea’s history, shortly after liberation from the throes of World War II. In those days, agricultural land was a crucial asset and means of production. My father, a man of considerable wealth in his hometown, chose to lease his fields to tenant farmers. These farmers toiled tirelessly, yet were forced to surrender half of their harvest to landowners, often struggling to secure even a single meal. Witnessing their plight, my father, driven by profound compassion, began to distribute his land among them.

News of his generosity spread rapidly, reaching neighboring villages. Other landowners, alarmed by his actions, attempted to dissuade him, but my father remained resolute. His actions ignited a movement among the tenant farmers, who then began demanding land from their own landlords. In a desperate attempt to quell this unrest, the landlords accused my father of being a communist, claiming he was corrupting social order with subversive ideologies. Consequently, my father was arrested, imprisoned, and ultimately sentenced to death by the Supreme Court, confined to Seodaemun Prison.

Even while incarcerated, my father harbored dreams of societal transformation. He entrusted his unfinished aspirations to me, through the name Huh kyung young. He was a man of profound goodness and righteousness, who, despite his wealth, empathized deeply with the struggles of the poor. He sought to create conditions where everyone could live with dignity, embodying the spirit of altruism by sharing his possessions for the benefit of others. However, his noble intentions and actions, caught in the ideological conflicts and chaos of the time, tragically led to his demise. Had his vision been embraced by society, he might have been revered as a respected figure in his village, perhaps even honored with a monument.

2. Beyond Ideology: A New Political Philosophy

I now stand on a path dedicated to societal change, continuing my father’s legacy. Yet, unlike him, I embarked on this journey to fulfill an inherent calling, employing entirely different methods. My ultimate goal is to fundamentally transform the human way of life and the systems governing the world. I do not favor ideologies or doctrines. I often jestingly introduce myself not as a leftist or a rightist, but as a “Huh-ist” a playful term that encapsulates my political philosophy of transcending ideologies to embrace and benefit all.

Human ideologies and beliefs, no matter how grand they may seem, are rarely perfect due to inherent human imperfections. Therefore, it is unwise to assert that one’s own beliefs are absolutely correct while dismissing others’ perspectives as flawed. The ideological conflicts between the left and right that plunged our society into chaos immediately after liberation led to the establishment of differing political and economic systems in the North and South, solidifying national division and culminating in the tragedy of the Korean War. What we should believe in and strive for is the realization of a better world, not conflict, division, or war.

I wish for people to approach each other with more love and tolerance. Just as my thoughts and beliefs are precious to me, I hope we can all acknowledge the equal value of others’ thoughts and beliefs. This principle extends not only to political ideologies but also to religious convictions. I believe we should respect and acknowledge the diverse religious beliefs held by different individuals. If everyone adopted such an attitude, our society would become more generous, peaceful, and warm.

3. Redefining the Nation: From Ideology to Quality of Life

The time has come for a new constitutional vision. Our current Constitution’s first article states: “The Republic of Korea is a democratic republic” and “The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea resides in the people, and all state authority emanates from the people.” However, this is not an era where ideology holds paramount importance. What truly matters is not the ideology a nation espouses, but the actual quality of life of its citizens and their level of happiness. Almost every nation on Earth claims to be a democracy, yet it is easy to find many that are clearly not. This demonstrates that ideology often remains a mere formal slogan, detached from the reality of people’s lives.

I propose amending the preamble of our Constitution’s first article from “The Republic of Korea is a democratic republic” to “The Republic of Korea is a middle-class nation where all citizens are guaranteed a life above the middle class.” This is because, in a nation with an economic capacity sufficient to ensure a life above the middle class, its citizens, as the rightful owners of the nation, should naturally enjoy such a standard of living. A “middle-class nation” refers to a country where all citizens are institutionally guaranteed a life above the middle class, a concept I have articulated multiple times. By excluding abstract ideological statements and instead expressing a commitment to improving the lives and well-being of the people, we would truly declare our nation to be for its people.

4. The Nation as a Corporation: Citizens as Shareholders

Furthermore, as a fundamental condition for becoming a middle-class nation, I propose that the Constitution include a provision stating that the Republic of Korea, as a corporation, pays dividends to its shareholders—the citizens—and guarantees their profits. My conviction is based on the belief that a nation is a collective entity formed by individual contracts, which I define as a stock corporation. In this framework, the citizens, as constituents, are the true owners of the nation, acting as shareholders of the Republic of Korea Corporation. The nation’s supreme leader, the President, becomes the CEO, and public officials are employees.

The nation’s wealth has been accumulated and generated over thousands of years by our ancestors and by us today. Defining the Republic of Korea as a stock corporation is not merely a legal change; it fundamentally alters the role of the state and transforms the people’s right to pursue happiness into a powerful, substantive right. Just as shareholders in a company naturally receive dividends when the company generates profit, the nation, defined as a corporation with citizens as shareholders, must pay dividends to its people.

Currently, the total assets of the Republic of Korea amount to approximately 70 quadrillion Korean Won. Dividing this total by 50 million shareholders “citizens” means each individual holds an asset share of about 1.4 billion Korean Won. This share is allocated at birth, cannot be bought, sold, or inherited, and is extinguished upon death. Citizens would receive dividends on this share once a year. What good is it to declare a democratic republic in the Constitution if the people, as true owners, do not possess a tangible share?

Until now, even as the nation’s economy grew, there was no mechanism to distribute a portion of tax revenues to all citizens, except in cases of national disaster like COVID-19. By defining the nation as a corporation and its citizens as shareholders, each individual becomes a genuine shareholder. If the nation is defined as a corporation that guarantees a middle-class life or better for its citizens, other constitutional provisions must also change. This would necessitate not just constitutional amendments, but a complete re-establishment of the Constitution.

This new Constitution would include provisions for the nation to operate as a corporation that pays dividends to its citizens, along with clauses ensuring the state can effectively fulfill its corporate role. Furthermore, various laws would need to be revised to align with this new constitutional framework. To enable continuously increasing dividends, the economic pie must expand. Therefore, policies that foster mutual cooperation between individuals and businesses to significantly develop the national economy would be pursued. With the Constitution re-established under the new paradigm of realizing a middle-class society, the status of the people would be truly defined as the nation’s rightful owners. This Constitution would serve as the foundation for shaping the world in 2050.

태그: “Huh kyung young, National Transformation, Citizen Shareholder, Middle-Class Nation, Constitutional Reform”

Vocabulary

• 난세 “亂世”: Tumultuous Times
• 영웅 “英雄”: Hero
• 소작농 “Small作農”: Tenant Farmer
• 지주 “Land主”: Landowner
• 공산주의자 “共産主Righteousness者”: Communist
• 이념 “Principle念”: Ideology
• 좌파 “左派”: Left-wing
• 우파 “右派”: Right-wing
• 허파 “Allow派”: Huh-ist “a play on words, combining Huh kyung young’s surname with ‘파’ meaning faction”
• 민주공화국 “民主共和Nation”: Democratic Republic
• 주권 “主Power”: Sovereignty
• 중산층 “Middle産層”: Middle Class
• 주식회사 “株式Meeting社”: Stock Corporation
• 주주 “株主”: Shareholder
• 배당금 “配當Metal”: Dividend
• 개헌 “改憲”: Constitutional Amendment
• 제헌 “制憲”: Constitutional Establishment

신인난세 2-4 국민 사랑이 바탕이 되다 허경영

The Hero of Troubled Times, Huh kyung young: Founded on Love for the People

Tags: “Leadership, Compassion, Social Welfare, Economic Policy, National Vision, Qualitative Change, Public Service”

1. The Genesis of Compassion: A Mother’s Sacrifice and a Son’s Vow

The narrative begins with the poignant birth of Huh kyung young, amidst a fierce blizzard on January 1, 1950. His mother, enduring the pains of childbirth alone in a makeshift shelter, brought him into the world under the harshest conditions. Her suffering was a consequence of his father’s circumstances, which led her from a life of comfort to one of hardship. Despite her dire situation, she never blamed his father, instead accepting her fate with unwavering resolve. She tirelessly worked odd jobs and prayed nightly for her husband, who was imprisoned.

This profound experience of his mother’s sacrifice deeply imprinted upon Huh kyung young. He recounts how, even as a newborn, his survival was precarious without external aid. His mother’s unwavering love and resilience in the face of extreme adversity became a foundational lesson. This early exposure to hardship and his mother’s selfless devotion cultivated within him a deep sense of empathy for those in distress. He vividly recalls the pain his mother felt, not for her own illness, but for his inability to play freely due to her condition. This profound maternal love, which ultimately led her to sacrifice her own life for her children’s future, became the wellspring of his own compassion for humanity.

2. The Ethos of Governance: Public Service Rooted in Empathy

Huh kyung young asserts that the fundamental mindset for any leader must be “compassion” – a heart that regards the difficulties of others as one’s own. He believes that without this core principle, no political activity or policy can hold true meaning. For him, the essence of politics lies in leaders governing with a loving heart for the people, ensuring their happiness and freedom from suffering.

He that national economic development should ultimately serve to enrich the lives of all citizens. If economic progress occurs but benefits only a select few, leaving others in hardship, it signifies a failure of political governance. The responsibility of leaders is to ensure that all citizens can live well and equitably. Even national functions like defense and public safety are, at their core, meant to guarantee the life and security of the people. Therefore, the primary goal of those in politics should be to create conditions that elevate the quality of life for all citizens, ensuring their safety, stability, and comfort. He strongly condemns those who seek power for personal gain or fame, viewing such motivations as misguided and detrimental to the true purpose of leadership.

3. A Vision for Societal Transformation: Beyond Conventional Welfare

Huh kyung young proposes a radical shift in societal support, advocating for a system that ensures a “qualitative change” in people’s lives, rather than merely providing basic sustenance. He argues that current welfare systems, such as the National Basic Livelihood Security Act, often create “reverse discrimination” for those on the borderline of eligibility, leading to issues of fairness. His solution is a universal “National Dividend” system, which would eliminate such inequities by ensuring no one is excluded from benefits.

He illustrates this with a concrete example: a monthly payment of 3 million Korean Won per person, rather than 1 million Won, is necessary to truly guarantee a stable life and mitigate individual risks. This level of support would foster a society where people are not burdened by worries about medical expenses for parents or the future of their children, allowing them to pursue their passions. This, he believes, would lead to a tangible “qualitative change” in people’s lives, distinct from past experiences.

Addressing concerns that such a system would discourage work, Huh kyung young counters that humans inherently seek purpose and activity. While an initial period of rest might occur, people’s innate desire for improvement and self-realization would eventually drive them to pursue meaningful work. The key difference, he explains, is that individuals would no longer be forced into jobs they dislike merely for survival, but would instead be free to pursue work aligned with their talents and aspirations. This would unlock potential, allowing individuals to revive long-abandoned dreams, such as becoming an artist.

Furthermore, he dismisses fears of inflation, explaining that his proposed system would be implemented by reallocating and saving existing national budget expenditures, rather than increasing the money supply. This ensures that the funds circulated are merely a redistribution, not an inflationary injection.

4. The Unwavering Mission: A Leader’s Inevitable Path

Huh kyung young acknowledges his consistent pursuit of the highest leadership position, not for personal power or ambition, but out of a profound sense of duty. He states that he would prefer a simpler, happier life if it meant merely helping those who need him. However, he feels bound by a mission given to him since birth, driven by deep compassion and empathy for humanity.

He cannot ignore the suffering he witnesses, from the struggles of his own nation to the plight of starving children in Africa. His perspective on people is akin to a mother’s gaze upon her struggling child. He harbors no desire for personal gain, but seeks leadership as a necessary means to realize his vision of a world where everyone can thrive and no one suffers. He believes that if past leaders had genuinely strived for universal well-being and global peace, his intervention would not have been necessary. His ultimate goal is to establish a system that fosters economic development in a way that ensures prosperity for all citizens, leading to a fundamental improvement in their quality of life.

Vocabulary

• 측은지심: Compassion
• 위정자: Leader
• 국민 사랑: Love for the People
• 질적 변화: Qualitative Change
• 국민 배당금: National Dividend
• 선별적 복지: Selective Welfare
• 역차별: Reverse Discrimination
• 사명: Mission
• 애틋한 마음: Deep Affection
• 향상하려는 의욕: Desire for Improvement

신인난세 3-1 죽음, 사랑 그리고 생명 허경영

The Hero of a Troubled Era, Huh kyung young: Chapter 3-1. Death, Love, and Life

1. The Crucible of Suffering: A Nation’s Destiny and Personal Trials

The Korean people, having endured countless trials and tribulations throughout their long history, are now poised to become a great phoenix, ready to soar powerfully across the globe from this small land, creating a magnificent world. I, too, entrusted with the mission of realizing a benevolent world, had to undergo a long period of tempering through numerous hardships and sufferings. This journey began with the profound experiences of death, love, and life.

2. Miraculous Escapes from the Brink of Death

From a young age, I faced numerous near-death experiences.

• The Pond Incident: At the age of five, while playing alone, I fell into a deep pond. Miraculously, a young worker named Kim Young Gi, who was napping two kilometers away, was awakened by a woman’s sorrowful voice calling his name. He followed the voice for about a kilometer and found me floating face down in the small pond. He pulled me out, helped me expel the water, and saved my life. The woman’s voice ceased the moment he found me. It was rumored that the voice belonged to my mother, who had passed away a year prior. This incident led the village women to show me great compassion, stroking my head and sharing stories of my deceased parents, offering comfort and food, ensuring I grew up surrounded by many people’s care.
• The Falling Tree: Though I cannot recall my exact age, one day while gathering firewood in the mountains, I climbed a tall tree to pick berries. I slipped and fell, losing consciousness. When I awoke, I was hanging from a tree branch, my upper body caught, with a long gash on my side. Fortunately, the wound was not deep. Had I fallen directly to the ground, I would have suffered severe injuries, possibly broken legs.
• The Cliff Fall: At nine, while precariously descending a steep cliff path carrying several bags of rice, a sudden gust of wind blew me and my A-frame carrier over the edge. Fortunately, the carrier fell first, cushioning my fall and preventing serious injury. Without it, I would have been severely injured or lost my life.
• Other Childhood Perils:
  • Being pinned under an overturned ox in a water furrow while feeding beans in the field.
  • Accidentally grabbing a venomous snake hidden in the grass while cutting weeds, leading to a two-hour struggle for survival after being bitten.
  • Being attacked by hundreds of bees after the ox I was leading disturbed a beehive, forcing me to flee into a stream and endure a week of critical condition from stings inside my clothes.

3. Urban Struggles and Further Encounters with Mortality

Upon arriving in Seoul, my encounters with the threshold of death continued.

• War Movie Extra: To earn tuition for night school, I worked collecting scrap metal in Namdaemun Market. One day, I participated as an extra in a war movie being filmed on Dobongsan Mountain. While firing a weapon in an allied uniform, an explosion occurred right in front of my face, throwing me several meters into the air before I crashed to the ground, losing consciousness.
• Tire Factory Collapse: While living as the adopted son of a pastor and attending night high school, I worked at a waste tire factory in Wonhyoro 4-ga. One day, a tall stack of waste tires in the factory yard suddenly collapsed, burying me underneath. I was pulled out by others but sustained severe injuries.
• Cyanide Exposure: Later, through the pastor’s introduction, I worked at a factory near Seoul Station that manufactured and exported gold rings. This involved boiling gold with strong acids and cyanide. I was assigned this task and frequently inhaled cyanide fumes, nearly suffocating multiple times.
• Peritonitis and Hospitalization: During my night high school years, I often slept in a tent, wrapping myself in newspapers to ward off the cold and prevent lice. One night, I developed severe abdominal pain. Two days later, I collapsed on the street and woke up in a Christian hospital. I was diagnosed with severe peritonitis, and due to the delay, the inflammation was critical, making survival difficult. Miraculously, the surgery was successful. However, as it was a free surgery, I was discharged after only three days. Nurses, pitying my situation, pleaded for me to stay longer. When their request was denied, they tearfully gave me 500 won, urging me not to live in a tent again.
• Bus Fire: After my surgery, I took a month off from night work and briefly worked as a city bus mechanic. After repairs, I would sleep inside the bus to escape the cold, hugging the repair lamp. One night, the lamp broke, igniting the seat and spreading fire to my clothes. The bus filled with smoke, and I barely escaped the flames and smoke.
• Traffic Accident and Construction Fall: Another time, the car I was in had a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle, but I was the only survivor. I also fell from the second floor of a building construction site while carrying bricks on an A-frame carrier, losing consciousness for two hours.
• Blood Donation for Tuition: To pay for high school tuition, I frequently sold my blood at a clinic in Cheongnyangni, receiving 3,000 won per donation. When tuition was still short, I visited the clinic three times in a row and eventually collapsed on the lawn, losing consciousness.
• Snowstorm and Cliff Fall: One cold winter night, while sleeping in a tent on a mountaintop, a snowstorm blew the tent away. While searching for it, I fell off a cliff and lost consciousness, but miraculously survived with only a broken leg.

4. The Profound Impact of Love and Loss

These numerous near-death experiences, often survived with the help of others or through miraculous interventions, profoundly shaped me. I also frequently faced danger while trying to save others.

• Taxi Fire Rescue: One day, I witnessed a head-on collision between a taxi carrying a professor and her mother, and another car, in Heukseok-dong. Both were severely injured and unconscious inside the taxi. Suddenly, the taxi caught fire, and as the flames spread towards the LPG tank, many bystanders fled. I, driving a vehicle at the intersection in front of the Won Buddhism Hall in Heukseok-dong, immediately approached the burning taxi, prepared for death. Despite shouts warning of an explosion, I managed to pull both unconscious individuals from the car. I then drove them 1.5 kilometers to Gangnam St. Mary’s Hospital. Hearing that they would have died from blood loss if even a little more time had passed, the tension released, and I felt faint.

• The Three Women Who Shaped Me: These life-altering events strengthened me and deepened my comprehension of others’ worries. Though I was naturally empathetic, my direct experiences with pain and near-death became the driving force behind my desire to empathize with and help others.

  • The Sister Figure: After recovering from peritonitis, I returned to living in a tent, but my lungs began to ache. I sought refuge in a church hall and later went to Han guksa Temple in Bukhansan Mountain. There, I recovered while helping with chores and attending night school. My room was a small, one-pyeong cell next to the main hall. I worked during the day and studied at night, often missing dinner at the temple because it was too late by the time I returned. However, a university student, a “sister” figure, was recuperating in a larger room nearby. When I looked towards the temple from afar after school, her room’s light would be on, like a lighthouse guiding a ship in the dark. This light gave me courage. She began to save dinner for me, burying it in the warm ashes of her brazier. She would also read poetry to me while I worked, leading me to memorize over a hundred poems. Tragically, she passed away that winter from a lung illness. I knew of her illness, but I was powerless to help. This period was a time for me to experience the pain of separation and countless human sufferings, not only to temper myself but also to apprehend and empathize with human emotions and pain, preparing me for my future mission. Her death left me with an unspeakable sense of helplessness and self-reproach for not being able to cure her. Her warm love remained a deep longing in my heart. After her passing, returning to the temple after school, I would silently weep while walking the dark mountain path, now without the guiding light. Studying late into the night in my cold cell, I would instinctively look towards the door, expecting her to suddenly appear with food.
  • My Mother: My mother passed away three years and six months after I was born. When her funeral procession left, neighborhood women teased me, saying, “You have no mother.” In my innocence, I believed them and danced, proudly telling other children, which made the adults weep. As her bedding and clothes were burned, sending smoke high into the sky, I joyfully watched the fire, unaware of its meaning. I was too young to comprehend her death.
  • The Teacher: It was only after the death of the “sister” who taught me beautiful poetry in the mountain temple that I truly began to apprehend the profound sorrow of death, the deep pain of separation, and the longing for those who are gone. The memory of not being able to save my sister, who died like fallen leaves, or my mother, whom I longed for, left an inexpressible wound in my heart. Soon after my sister’s passing, I left the temple and returned to my tent in Hongje-dong. Without her, I spent a night under the winter sky where my mother had given birth to me, weeping profusely. The wounds of loss made me miss her even more.
    In third grade, a new teacher, Ms. Kim Myung Sook, would keep me by her side after class, holding my hand and receiving encouragement from students because I had no parents. She would take me to her home, seat me at her desk, and talk to me for hours. When I was eleven, she was suddenly transferred to another school. I hid in an alleyway, watching her leave, and wept silently. Two days before she left, she held my hand, telling me not to stop studying, and that we would meet again someday, just as rivers eventually meet the sea. This teacher gave love and courage to a young boy living with others, without parents. After my sister’s death, her departure brought an even deeper longing, wondering where and how she was living.
    Thinking of these three women—my mother who passed away when I was four, Ms. Kim Myung Sook who left when I was six, and my sister who died when I was eighteen—I always feel as though they are watching over me. Their love and expectations inspire me to care for and love those in need, and to do good in the world, even more than what I have received.

• Preparation for a Mission: These experiences throughout my youth were a preparation for my future mission, a destined process to experience all that a human can endure. During this time, my identity was obscured even to myself, yet through these experiences, I was gradually able to realize it.

5. The Ultimate Value of Life

Having faced numerous near-death experiences and witnessed the deaths of others, I contemplated the preciousness of life. Life, when broken down, means “vibrant command” or “command to live.” All living beings on this earth live under the command to live. The will to live is embedded in every living creature, designed to think and act towards survival. Therefore, all living beings dislike death. Humans, animals, and even lower organisms like earthworms struggle to survive when threatened.

6. The Crisis of Disregard for Life in Modern Society

However, today, the disregard for life has gone too far. Not only homicides but also suicides, which defy the command to live, are rampant. People commit suicide due to financial hardship, failed businesses, overwhelming debt, depression, academic stress from the intense competition of the entrance exam system, cyberbullying, and even politicians facing corruption scandals or public criticism. This phenomenon reflects a profound disregard for life.

7. Societal Responsibility for the Suicide Crisis

While individual struggles contribute, the state and society bear significant responsibility. In the past, suicides were often due to personal failings or dispositions, such as inability to cope with social pressure after a major mistake, or loss of will to live after a failed romance. most suicides stem from societal problems: financial hardship, unbearable debt, academic pressure, social stress, and online malicious comments—all are causes of suicide for which society and the state are accountable.

• Political Failure: As I have always stated, the increasing number of suicides is primarily the responsibility of our nation’s politics. If politicians governed well and managed national affairs properly, a society that drives individuals to suicide would not exist. Statistics show that as unemployment rises, so does the suicide rate. How many people are driven to suicide because they cannot cope with debt? This is not merely an individual problem. When the government fails to stabilize real estate prices, people take out loans to buy homes, fearing further increases, leading to debt. If the state guaranteed its citizens a stable life—free from worries about livelihood, able to afford housing, raise children, marry them off, and live without fear of old age—then, barring special circumstances, people would not take on excessive debt for investments or even reckless businesses.
• Economic Policy Impact: Sound economic policies would enable even struggling businesses to turn a profit, preventing the common situation where businesses close within a year. Economic policies that burden businesses and prioritize exports often torment both businesses and citizens, creating debtors, or exacerbating wealth inequality, pushing people to the brink. Incidents like family suicides, occasionally reported in the news, are often extreme choices made by entire families who can no longer endure their circumstances.
• Educational System Failure: Furthermore, why do politicians fail to reform the education system to foster creativity and enhance character, instead pushing children into an entrance exam hell and school violence, creating suicidal youth?
• Highest Suicide Rate: Because politics has failed, our nation regrettably has the highest suicide rate among OECD countries.

8. The Sanctity of Life and the Role of Government

Life is sacred and must never be arbitrarily ended. My life is precious, and so is the life of others. Human life is precious, and animal life is precious. All beings have the right and duty to live under the command of existence. Individuals must awaken to the preciousness of life and cherish their own. The government must place life at the center of its policies to prevent actions that drive citizens to abandon their lives. Neither ideology nor philosophy is correct if it trivializes human life. The primary purpose of politics is to ensure citizens can live stable lives.

9. Reforming the Education System

I will now discuss school education before addressing the suicide problem. Approximately 800 Korean adolescents commit suicide annually. This number represents successful suicides; if we include those who attempted but failed, the number of adolescent suicide attempts would be enormous. The primary cause of adolescent suicide is undoubtedly the current flawed education system.

• Excessive Competition: Excessive, endless competition and an entrance exam-focused education system often lead children, whose mental development is not yet complete, to make extreme choices due to academic stress.
• School Violence: Suicides resulting from school violence are also a consequence of education’s failure to provide proper character education to eradicate such violence.
• True Purpose of Education: What is education? Humans are born with innate, spontaneous, and creative potential, and a desire to develop and advance it. Education is about nurturing these possibilities and excellent aptitudes, guiding them in the right direction. The Korean characters for “education” “교육, gyoyuk” mean “to imitate and correct” “교, gyo” and “to nurture and make grow properly” “육, yuk”. Education is to fully and properly unfold human aptitudes, character, and creative potential.
• Current Flaws: However, does the current Korean education system achieve this?
  • It is a standardized education that disregards individual aptitudes and talents.
  • Despite efforts for change, the dominant teaching methods remain rote memorization and passive learning.
  • Students are forced to study numerous subjects ill-suited to their aptitudes and take exams, with university admission determined by just one or two test scores. Although the entrance exam system has changed multiple times with new ministers, its fundamental framework has remained largely unaltered.
  • Within this system, children are driven into fierce competition, losing their humanity, individual talents, and personalities.
  • Their creativity is suppressed, and they are repeatedly taught standardized content, as if being mass-produced in a factory.
  • Students who are good at rote learning have a higher chance of success in entrance exams. Consequently, teachers and academies that teach memorization techniques, problem-solving formulas, and frequently tested content become popular.
  • Children spend late nights at school or academies to win the competition and succeed in exams, with no time to build physical strength or foster friendships.
• Family Disintegration: Basic education begins at home, yet children barely see their parents, let alone converse with them. According to one survey, Korean adolescents spend an average of only 13 minutes a day talking with their parents. How can proper family education occur under such circumstances? Furthermore, the “wild goose father” phenomenon, where mothers and children go abroad for education while fathers remain in Korea to work and send money, has become common. This is a phenomenon of family disintegration caused by Korea’s flawed education system. The current education system is not only ruining school education but also tearing families apart.

10. A New Educational Philosophy: Body, Character, Knowledge

The current educational philosophy’s order of “Knowledge, virtue, body” “지, 덕, 체” is incorrect. It should be changed to “body, virtue, knowledge” “체, 덕, 지”.

• Prioritizing Physical Health: What good is extensive knowledge if one is sick or unhealthy? Physical education, which promotes a healthy body, must be prioritized. Children should be able to play freely and engage in physical activities on the playground.
• Emphasizing Character Education: Next, education that focuses solely on knowledge, lacking virtue, is a major problem. Character education has historically been considered paramount, as the completion of one’s character was seen as the most important goal of education. Education lacking character is not true education, and knowledge-only education without character can even harm society. Much of the egoism in our society today is largely due to the failure of proper character education. Anyone can feel how poor character education is by listening to children’s conversations or riding a bus or subway.
• Urgent Reform: Our education system, which has lost its fundamental purpose and direction, and instead of fostering healthy growth, is killing children, must be changed immediately.

11. Proposed Educational Reforms

I propose abolishing the College Scholastic Ability Test “CSAt”. Instead, students should be able to enter university based on their cumulative mock exam scores over six years in one subject of their choice during middle and high school. For other subjects, they should only attend classes, allowing adolescents to maintain their health, build friendships, and enjoy school life without excessive exam stress.

• Focus on Physical and Character Education: I also believe that physical education should be assertd, and character education methods should undergo revolutionary changes.
• Benefits of Huh kyung young’s Vision:
  • School life becomes enjoyable.
  • Students can specialize in subjects they are talented in or enjoy, becoming experts in their chosen field.
  • Since students will specialize in different subjects, there will be no need for excessive competition.
  • Suicides and addictions caused by academic stress will naturally disappear.

12. The Importance of Classical Chinese and Eastern Studies

I believe that Classical Chinese education should be introduced from elementary school. It is problematic that Classical Chinese is not properly taught in Korea, a country that belongs to the Chinese character cultural sphere along with China and Japan. Historically, much of the Korean people’s written culture is in Classical Chinese, and it is difficult to properly apprehend our culture without it. When expressing our language in writing, using only the phonetic Korean alphabet “Hangul” can make it difficult to explain or convey the meaning of Chinese characters that have multiple meanings.

• Historical and Cultural Significance: In fact, throughout history, Chinese characters have been part of the Korean vocabulary, and as ideograms, they complement the phonetic Hangul. History and culture are embedded within Chinese characters. For example, the Chinese character ‘臺’ “dae” evokes Noah’s Ark from the Bible, as it contains the meaning of eight family members. Through this character, one can infer the migration of peoples or the spread of culture between the eastern and western ends of Asia.
• Cognitive and Global Advantages: Learning Chinese characters also has the advantage of making children more mature. In the future, exchanges with China and Japan are expected to become more active. Without knowing Chinese characters, a common cultural element, communication problems can arise. For future generations living in a global era, learning Japanese in addition to English is crucial, and knowing Chinese characters and Classical Chinese is highly advantageous for this.
• Root of Our Identity: I believe we should encourage future generations to learn about Eastern philosophy and thought. Chinese characters and Eastern philosophy are the roots of our nation. A nation that forgets its roots can lose its foundation and be assimilated by other peoples, disappearing without a trace.
• Character Development: Furthermore, learning Eastern philosophy and thought is itself character education. Loyalty and filial piety are virtues that humans must uphold, unchanging regardless of the era. In Japan, the I Ching “주역” is taught from elementary school. Learning the I Ching helps one apprehend the principles of the world and can assist in setting life goals or making important decisions. Even NASA studies the I Ching and uses it for critical decisions, such as launching spacecraft.
• Beyond Western Science: It is incorrect to disregard our traditional philosophy and wisdom, which contain profound insights, while considering Western academia as the sole source of knowledge. While Western science is highly regarded, science itself is a form of hypothesis, often differing from facts, especially when new theories emerge.
• Hope for the Future: Education is a plan for a hundred years. There is hope for Korea when our children receive proper education, grow up healthy, are not deprived of their creativity, and become a future generation that upholds beautiful customs and traditions. If education is properly established, Korea can lead future society by nurturing individuals who will become pillars of the nation based on creativity in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Tags: “Life’sValue, EducationReform, SocietalResponsibility, CharacterEducation, EasternPhilosophy, Huh kyung young”

Vocabulary

• 난세 “亂世”: Troubled Era
• 대붕 “Big鵬”: Great Phoenix
• 담금질: Tempering Process
• 죽을 고비: Near-Death Experience
• 생명 명령: Command to Live
• 생명 존중: Respect for Life
• 자살률: Suicide Rate
• 백년대계 “百YearBig計”: Hundred-Year Plan “Long-term Vision”
• 지, 덕, 체 “智德體”: Knowledge, Virtue, Body “Traditional Educational Principles”
• 주역 “周Change”: I Ching “Book of Changes”

신인난세 3-2 시련 속에서도 밝고 선한 마음으로 허경영

The Hero of a Troubled Era, Huh kyung young: Part 3-2. A Bright and Virtuous Heart Amidst Adversity

Tags: “Huh kyung young, Adversity, Resilience, Social Welfare, Youth Employment”

1. The Arduous Journey to Seoul and a Test of Character

The journey from my hometown to Seoul was a profound experience, wrapped in the memories of my past. Initially, I planned to walk all the way to Seoul, believing that my friends, who had no money, would need what little I possessed for expenses in the city. Thus, I began walking from Banseong Station, heading in the direction of Seoul, enduring hardships. Sometimes I ran, other times I rode a bus. During this journey, my black cotton clothes became soaked, and I walked barefoot. After two days of walking, I arrived at Majang-ri, my feet bleeding and swollen, making it impossible to continue. When I checked my money to buy a train ticket, it was only enough to reach Daejeon.

Reluctantly, I bought a ticket to Daejeon and boarded the train bound for Seoul. From Daejeon onwards, I was traveling without a ticket, so I hid myself under a seat. My heart pounded with anxiety every time a conductor passed by to check tickets. Eventually, I was caught by the station staff. There were many others besides me who were apprehended for traveling without a ticket. The staff took my bundle of books, untied it, and accused me of stealing the thirty volumes of Laozi and other texts. When I asserted they were my own, the staff challenged me to read them. As I recited two lines, the staff were astonished and began to read the six-page “Document” had with me. It contained details of my past life, my reflections, and my aspirations.

The staff looked at me with a sense of wonder, then untied the bundle of soil I had brought from my mother’s grave. When the soil was revealed, they questioned why I had brought it. I explained, “This is soil from my deceased mother’s grave. I brought it to Seoul to strengthen my resolve by looking at it whenever I face difficulties while studying”. A female station manager nearby took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears. After a discussion among the staff, the female manager approached me and said, “The police will arrive soon to arrest those who traveled without tickets, but you have a special reason, so please go over there”. She continued, “This money is what we collected for you. It’s not much, but please buy some food and find a place to sleep”. She added, “I wish I could take you home, but my family is large, so I cannot” and she firmly held my hand, pressing the money into it.

I stood in Seoul Station Plaza like a stone statue, clutching my two bundles of books, gazing at the place where my father, whom I barely remembered, and we last parted. My mother, who had lost her husband to the harsh realities of a distant land, wept bitterly, holding me as a child, and left during the war. I had returned to Seoul, a place destined to be intertwined with my fate, a fate I could not sever. Although villagers later told me about my mother’s will, I resolved to find her grave, which she could not locate, and to erect a memorial stone for my father at the site of his passing in Seoul. With this determination from childhood, I first visited Seodaemun Prison, prostrating myself before its main gate to pay my respects to my father. Then, I inquired about Junganggyo, where my mother had lived, and eventually found it. Although I could not ascertain the exact location of her dwelling, I descended to a wide riverbank, imagining it was where she might have easily followed the water. I stood there for a while, thinking of my mother, and then gazed at the flowing river. It felt as if my mother’s earnest tears, shed nightly in prayer with a lit candle, desperately trying to save me after her sudden fall into despair, were mixed somewhere in the river’s flow.

2. The Pursuit of Knowledge Amidst Hardship

I returned to the bustling Namdaemun Market to find work and ended up shining shoes at the market entrance. At night, I stayed in a dormitory with other shoe-shining boys. I also enrolled in Hyupsung High School, a night school in Gwanghwamun. However, the dormitory was so filled with cigarette smoke that I found it impossible to concentrate on my studies. Although there were other colleagues who also worked delivering food for Chinese restaurants, the environment was not suitable. After much deliberation, I decided to study at a temple, and the place I found was Hwagyesa in Suyu-ri. There, I met Seungsan Sunim. The monk adopted me as his foster son, becoming my second foster parent.

At Hwagyesa, I cooked meals. Besides the monks of Hwagyesa, there were also student monks from Dongguk University’s Buddhist College, so I cooked for about a thousand people daily. I also attended night school. In this way, I was able to graduate from night school while cooking at Hwagyesa. During my free time at the temple, I studied Buddhist philosophy, including the Tripitaka Koreana and the Middle Way. After graduating from high school, I enrolled in Hyupsung Commercial High School for the next stage of my education.

Around that time, Seungsan Sunim left Hwagyesa for America. The monk told me, “You need to study, but there is too much work here, making it difficult to concentrate. Therefore, you should also leave this place”. He advised, “If you go to Seogeumjeong, there is a temple with fewer people; go there”. As I climbed the mountain to find the Seogeumjeong temple, I encountered several women descending. When I asked them about Cheongnyongsa, they asked if I was looking for a temple for students. I explained that I wanted to work during the day and attend school at night. They then almost snatched my school bag and took me to a church, saying that I could sleep and study there with the pastor of Naesudong Church.

This is how Pastor Won Geun-seop became my third foster father. The pastor was a kind man who had come down from North Korea. I had only one blanket from home, and the pastor and I shared it when we slept. However, I would often wake up cold to find the pastor had pulled the entire blanket over himself, leaving me exposed. Other times, I would find myself covered alone. It seemed that, without realizing it, both of us had a natural human desire for the blanket. I stayed there for two years, working during the day and attending school at night. In my spare time, I read the Old and New Testaments of Christianity. On weekends, I would climb to the top of the village, beat a drum to gather children, bring them to the church, conduct Sunday service, and teach them the Bible.

Through diligent study by day and night, I absorbed human knowledge and philosophy. As soon as I arrived in Seoul, I began shining shoes and entered middle school, embarking on my academic dreams. Although it was a night school, I studied as diligently as students attending day and night middle schools. If I couldn’t focus on preparing for the civil service exam, I would seek out other places to work and study concurrently. The dormitory for shoe-shining boys was too smoky for studying, so I moved to Hwagyesa. At Hwagyesa, there was too much work, leaving insufficient time for study, so I left with Seungsan Sunim. The situation was similar at Naesudong Church. The pastor, believing that people must work to live, found me a job. Thus, I briefly worked at a waste tire factory. After an accident at the waste tire factory, I worked at a gold badge factory called Dongyangdang, operated by a church member. After work, I would go to school, and by the time I returned to the pastor’s house at night, I was utterly exhausted.

Nevertheless, I never neglected my homework or reviews and immersed myself in my school studies. Having mastered Buddhist philosophy by studying the Tripitaka Koreana at Hwagyesa in the foothills of Bukhansan during my physically demanding elementary school years, I now began to grasp Christian philosophy. For instance, I would rephrase concepts like Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, such as “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” into my own concise sentences. By this time, I had assimilated the philosophies of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity, reaching a level where I could compare and analyze them.

However, the work was too demanding, and I lacked sufficient time for study. This was inevitable, as I worked at the gold badge factory during the day, studied at school at night, and taught children at the church on weekends. Therefore, as I was about to enter my third year of high school, I discussed it with the pastor and left, setting up a tent on a mountain peak in Hongje-dong to live alone. Moaksan in Hongje-dong, also known as Ansan, is a low-lying mountain behind the village. At that time, shantytowns extended up to the mountain’s residential areas, and people would climb to a spring on the mountainside to draw water. I acquired a military tent and pitched it near the spring in winter, and at the peak during other seasons when the weather was milder. Inside the tent, I laid out a blanket and placed a few books. Returning late from school at night, I would light a candle and study diligently. On days when I couldn’t afford candles, I would rely on moonlight or starlight to study. For food, I would buy two sweet potatoes a day on my way home from school and eat one in the morning and one in the evening. Sometimes, if a mouse ate my sweet potato, I would go without breakfast. One night, I woke up to a tingling sensation on my nose and opened my eyes to find a mouse licking it.

During the day, I went out to sell pens and other items, and in the evenings, I attended school. However, when I returned from work during the day, neighborhood children would come to my tent, tear pages from my books to make paper flippers, play with them, and then leave. Realizing this couldn’t continue, I found a small kimchi jar, dug a hole in the tent floor, buried it, and stored my books and the next morning’s sweet potato inside. Then, I covered it with a plywood board, a strong stone, and my blanket. After that, my books were no longer torn, nor were my sweet potatoes stolen. During exam periods, I couldn’t even sell pens, which was my only source of income. At such times, I would visit the neighborhoods of Donggong-dong and.udo-dong, knock on the doors of traditional Korean houses, explain my situation to whoever answered, and ask for food. At that time, people were generally kind-hearted, and most would open their doors and offer food. Among these, there was one house with a wide-open gate, which I later learned belonged to Chairman Chung Ju-yung. Whenever I visited there, a kind woman would always come out, express pity for me, feed me, and even put money in my pocket.

Thus, I lived independently, overcoming challenges and studying diligently. Sometimes, like a mendicant monk, I would obtain food from others’ homes, yet I always kept my studies at the center of everything. After mastering the knowledge and philosophies accumulated by humanity, I came to apprehend the essence of human society, politics, economics, religion, history, law, science, and culture. All these experiences would serve as a means to apprehend the human world and culture, helping me to realize my aspirations in the world.

3. Adversity as a Catalyst for Growth

I tell people that experiencing hardship, making mistakes, and failing are paramount in life. As the old saying goes, “Youth’s hardships are worth buying”. Hardship and failure are the greatest teachers, providing enlightenment, fostering growth, and shaping individuals into mature beings. Only by experiencing hardship oneself can one truly apprehend those in difficult circumstances and genuinely desire to help those less fortunate when opportunities arise. Failure and mistakes can cultivate humility and magnanimity. They enable one to possess a deep comprehension, avoiding hasty judgments and criticisms of others who have made mistakes or failed.

From a young age, I faced continuous hardship and adversity, growing up without parents, yet I have never once resented or blamed anyone for my struggles. Gazing at the soil from my mother’s grave, I always maintained a positive and benevolent heart, pressing forward, never losing my smile amidst any trial. Strangely, whenever I encountered difficulties, I often met people who extended warm love to me. Even now, my heart holds gratitude for the many benefactors who reside within it. My impoverished and difficult childhood became the driving force that made me care for those living in hardship and compelled me to do something for them. When I later acquired a large sum of money, it was because of that childhood that I spent over ten years operating various businesses and engaging in transactions to help many people survive. As industrialization intensified and the gap between rich and poor widened, I thought of the struggling common people and devised a plan to help them live better lives. This plan involves creating a budget to provide approximately 1.5 million won to all citizens of a certain age.

The path I have walked, enduring unspeakable hardships and trials, has not only provided me with a clear direction for the work I must undertake and my mission, but it has also served as a solid foundation for conceiving concrete policies and moving forward to implement them, and I believe it will continue to do so. My youth, marked by shame and hardship, was also a period when I gained experience working in various self-employed businesses and companies in Seoul, allowing me to apprehend that world. Although conditions have improved significantly now, in those days, the environment in factories and manufacturing companies was extremely poor. The gold badge factory where I worked after being introduced by the church was an incredibly dangerous environment. To prevent theft of the valuable gold badges, all windows were sealed, making the air inside the factory unbearably stuffy. Cyanide, used in the process of melting metal, is a toxic substance, and working with such poisons in poor air quality inevitably led to deteriorating health. At that time, most small and medium-sized enterprises “SMEs” had similar working conditions. Working under such adverse conditions, I resolved that when our country’s circumstances improved, I would strive to enhance working environments so that people could work while maintaining their health.

4. Addressing Youth Unemployment and Economic Disparity

Currently, our country faces a growing number of young people who cannot find jobs. More accurately, it’s not that there are no jobs, but rather that there are no desirable jobs. This is because seven out of ten SMEs are struggling to find workers. why do young people, despite the availability of jobs in SMEs, choose to remain unemployed rather than take them? Some criticize young people, saying they haven’t experienced hardship in their first jobs. While this might not be entirely wrong when considering the past, it is a misguided statement that lacks the empathy to apprehend our youth as if they were our own children. If one considers these young people as their own children, who have overcome fierce competition in entrance exams and pursued higher education, such harsh words would not come easily. If they were my children, I would apprehend their dedication to civil service exams for several years. If they failed an exam but still applied for another company’s entrance exam, I wouldn’t tell them to stop and do something else. Instead, I would hope they find a good position, even if it takes time, and support their studies. Therefore, the issue of youth employment requires not just cold logic and rationality, but a warm perspective that genuinely wishes for their success, as if they were our own children, to find solutions.

It is necessary to consider why young people shun the many job opportunities in SMEs and prefer large corporations. Firstly, the wage gap is too significant. Friends with similar education and qualifications who join large corporations receive high salaries and various welfare benefits, while they would receive lower pay and fewer benefits in an SME, which hurts their pride. Furthermore, SMEs have lower brand image and recognition compared to large corporations. In short, SMEs do not offer the same prestige as large corporations. Seeing peers working at large corporations can make one feel inferior, and for men, since women prefer men working at large corporations, it can be disheartening when seeking a marriage partner. Even if an SME is a listed company, there should be some future prospects, but it often doesn’t seem to be the case. For these reasons, even with many job openings in SMEs, young people are reluctant to commit. Policymakers addressing youth unemployment and supporting employment must accurately apprehend these psychological aspects of young people and devise countermeasures.

To attract young people to SMEs, the government should provide benefits comparable to those of large corporations and ensure future prospects. Even if the immediate salary is not high, if there is hope for a guaranteed future by working there, not only young people who previously wouldn’t even consider SMEs, but also those who were hesitant, could be drawn to them. Considering the perspectives of both SMEs and young people, and approaching them with a warm, caring attitude, I believe the following measures are effective in resolving the labor shortage in SMEs and promoting youth employment. This plan involves the government providing direct support to young people who join SMEs, such as tax benefits and a monthly stipend of about 1 million won. Furthermore, for those who work for three more years after the initial period and aspire to start their own business, the government would provide approximately 300 million won in startup funds as an unsecured, guarantee-free loan.

This would significantly reduce the wage gap. Although there would be no immediate pension after the government support period, it is expected that people would work longer, motivated by wage increases and the hope of receiving startup funds after three more years of employment. some would choose to continue working without retiring, reaching a seniority level where they could hold managerial positions within the company. This level of incentive could be a sufficient condition to retain young people long-term. Implementing such a plan is expected to significantly alleviate not only youth unemployment but also the labor shortage in SMEs. From the perspective of SMEs, for labor that does not require highly advanced skills or specialization, a continuous influx of new personnel and a rotation where employees work for a while after their initial term and then retire is more advantageous in terms of operating cost reduction.

The dream of entrepreneurship holds significant meaning for young people. While immediate financial gain is important, if working at an SME also offers the hope of pursuing greater dreams in the future, it allows them to use employment as a stepping stone for advancement in life. Compared to joining a large corporation, while the initial entry might be good, employees gradually experience promotion stress and eventually have to retire as they age. If they wish to start a business after retirement, they can only secure startup loans if they have a viable business idea. Retirees from large corporations receive no benefits in terms of startup support. They must secure startup funds entirely on their own. However, according to my plan, individuals who have worked for an SME for a certain period can receive unsecured, guarantee-free government support for startup funds. With support up to 300 million won, even if the salary is slightly less than at a large corporation, there is a guarantee of being able to pursue one’s desired future endeavors. There would be no reason to avoid SMEs due to low salary, poor working conditions, lack of vision, or wounded pride. I believe that catching both rabbits—solving youth employment and alleviating polarization—is achieved through a plan like mine, approached with a warm heart of love.

Vocabulary

• 난세: Troubled Era
• 시련: Adversity/Trial
• 무임승차: Unpaid Passage/Stowaway
• 역무원: Station Staff/Conductor
• 보따리: Bundle/Pack
• 무덤 흙: Grave Soil
• 양부모: Foster Parents
• 주경야독: Study by Day and Night
• 팔만대장경: Tripitaka Koreana “Eighty Thousand Tripitaka”
• 중도 사상: Middle Way Philosophy
• 산상수훈: Sermon on the Mount
• 고생: Hardship/Suffering
• 깨달음: Enlightenment/Realization
• 겸손: Humility
• 관대: Magnanimity
• 원동력: Driving Force/Impetus
• 빈익빈: Widening Gap Between Rich and Poor
• 소명: Calling/Mission
• 청년 취업: Youth Employment
• 임금 격차: Wage Gap
• 복지 혜택: Welfare Benefits
• 자존심: Pride/Self-esteem
• 인력난: Labor Shortage
• 창업 지원금: Startup Support Funds
• 무담보: Unsecured “loan”
• 무보증: Guarantee-free “loan”
• 양극화 해소: Alleviation of Polarization

신인난세 3-3 남의 부모라고 도와주지 않을테냐 허경영

The Hero of Chaos, Huh kyung young: Forging Through Adversity

Tags: “Huh kyung young, Lee Byung-chul, Corporate Management, Economic Policy, Inheritance Tax”

1. The Pivotal Transformation: From Hardship to Destiny

My life, a continuous series of hardships and trials, underwent a complete transformation during my final year of high school. This change was so abrupt and profound that I find it difficult to comprehend through a purely human perspective. It was a dramatic leap, a complete reversal of my life’s circumstances. This dramatic shift occurred when I met Mr. Lee Byung-chul, the founder of Korea’s top conglomerate, Samsung. I became his adopted son, which meant I no longer had to endure the arduous life of balancing study and work. Furthermore, I began advising the Samsung Group chairman on corporate management and even served as President Park chung hee’s chief of staff, offering counsel on national policies. When I previously introduced these events in my book, many people found it hard to believe, and I believe the situation remains the same today. This is apprehendable, as it was a miraculous event, almost impossible to occur under normal circumstances.

One bitterly cold night, as I slept, I suddenly felt something cold on my face and opened my eyes. My protective tent had vanished, and I was lying directly in a snowstorm. The tent had been blown away by the blizzard. In the middle of the night, with the snowstorm making it difficult to even open my eyes, I stumbled around searching for the tent. I slipped on a muddy hillside and tumbled down into a shanty below. Before I could even react, my right leg was broken. For a month, I couldn’t move, let alone attend the branch school. I lay in a cold room within my tent, waiting for my leg to heal.

During this time, I envisioned my future. In my childhood, a mendicant monk had told me I would become a leader who guides the world. My father also named me with the expectation that I would become a leader who brings peace to the world. From a certain point, I knew who I was and why I was enduring such hardships in this place. Therefore, I believed I needed to prepare to fulfill this mission, and I delved into all fields of worldly knowledge, philosophy, and religion. I never smoked, even when my friends did, nor did I ever touch alcohol. I always looked at the soil from my mother’s table, reaffirming my resolve, dedicating myself to my studies, and filled with a sense of mission to achieve my dream. I had to earn a living and pay for my tuition, so I worked during the day and studied at night school. In between, I diligently read books without any breaks. My mind was organizing all the world’s religions, philosophies, ideologies, politics, economics, and global affairs. Anything I saw was instantly memorized, automatically analyzed in my mind, and integrated with previous knowledge. Even now, more than a decade later, I still remember the classical Chinese texts I studied from my early days, the economics of Buddhism and Christianity, and the political and economic theories I learned in school and through self-study. I also remember almost all the countless poems my sister read to me and the old songs I heard on the bus.

2. A Fateful Encounter: The Adopted Son of a Tycoon

After a month, my bone had mended, and I could walk again, so I went down to the village. In the shantytown, there was a house that made and sold indoor slippers as a side business. The owner, a very thin woman, saw me, her eyes spinning, and offered me ten pairs of slippers, telling me to sell them and return to school. I thanked her profusely, accepted them, and bought a cover for my school bag. I searched for a neighborhood where I could sell slippers and ended up in Jangchung-dong. I sat in front of a house gate there, reading a book and waiting for the gate to open. At some point, the gate opened. Standing in front of the gate, looking up at the sky, I saw an unfamiliar car. A middle-aged man, who seemed to be a chauffeur, stood looking at me, holding the open car door. Inside the open car, a woman was sitting, changing her shoes, and another middle-aged man was looking towards the gate where I stood. I took out a slipper from my school bag, removed my hat, and quickly ran towards the man standing facing me, showing him the slipper and saying, “I am a high school student, and I need to sell all these slippers to go to school. Please help me study.” The man looked at my face intently, took my hand, and said, “Come inside for a moment, let’s talk.” He then told the woman who was changing her shoes, “Cancel today’s outing and let’s go to the room.”

The man, who had been about to go out, reluctantly went into a room. He called the housekeepers and asked them to prepare a meal. At the time, I didn’t know that this man was Mr. Lee Byung-chul, the founder of Samsung, the top conglomerate in Korea, and the woman changing her shoes was his wife. When the meal was served, he thoughtfully said, “If you eat too quickly, you might choke, so eat the fried egg first” and watched me eat. After I finished eating, he asked for my name, where I lived, and who I lived with. I told him that I lived alone in the mountains, sold goods during the day, and attended night high school. After hearing my story, the man was moved and asked me to become his adopted son. I expressed my difficulty with this unexpected proposal. I said, “My parents have passed away, and although I live alone now, I always carry my parents in my heart, and I believe I must continue to live that way. Therefore, it is difficult for me to become someone else’s adopted son.” He persuaded me, saying, “You don’t have to change your surname; you can just come and live by my side as an adopted son.” He also said he would buy all my shoes and told me to think about it, handing me 2,000 won, the price of ten pairs of slippers.

After more than an hour, when I had finished my coffee, he asked me, “If I were lying on the street, would you not help me just because I am not your child?” His words deeply moved me. “Very well” I replied, “Then I will keep my surname and become your adopted son.” Thus, I, from an extremely poor background, was about to become the adopted son of Korea’s top tycoon. This miraculous event occurred when I was 19 years old, after I had broken my leg in my third year of high school, undergone surgery, and spent about a month living in a tent on a mountainside, eating wild herbs and using a chamber pot. About a week after I was able to walk, I went down to the village to sell slippers, filled with the warmth of the villagers. I offered him the 2,000 won I had received for the slippers, saying, “I will become your adopted son, so I don’t need this money. Please take it back.” He refused to take it, insisting I use it for my needs, but eventually, due to my persistence, he accepted it. Then, with a warm gesture, he called for a car to go to my place and bring my belongings. I said I could bring them myself, but this time he was adamant, so I eventually went with his driver in a car to pack my things. The urgency of sending the car was due to his concern that I might not come if he didn’t act quickly.

3. Visionary Leadership: Redefining Corporate Philosophy

From that day on, I had many conversations with my adopted father, the chairman, whenever he had time. I spoke extensively about Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity, the religions and philosophies of East and West that I had studied, as well as Eastern studies such as the I Ching, the Three Divisions and Nine Categories, and physiognomy. I offered solutions to various problems, drawing upon my innate cognitive abilities. The chairman listened to my words very seriously. He also asked about group personnel and management, and I sincerely shared my thoughts. I suggested transforming the vertical relationship between workers and managers into a horizontal one, holding manager meetings where labor and management could lead the company together. I also assertd that companies should provide the best treatment to their employees so that they would have loyalty and a sense of ownership, enabling them to work without conflict and achieve greater development. I also outlined twelve important considerations for hiring new employees, two secrets to corporate management, and promising business ventures that should definitely be pursued. The incumbent chairman trusted my words and applied them, achieving excellent results, which further increased his trust in me.

To foster world-class companies and for Korea to develop, it must first achieve economic prosperity. In a country with limited resources like ours, talent education and technological development are crucial for economic advancement. Above all, companies, as the main drivers of the economy, must thrive. I sincerely received my salary from my adopted father, Chairman Lee Byung-chul, and gradually became more involved in corporate management. I believed that for a company to succeed, while the manager’s leadership ability and mindset are important, the key is for managers and workers to harmonize and work together for the company’s well-being. Therefore, instead of the “class-based” term “laborer” derived from “the communist” I suggested using the more elevated term “worker.” I also thought it would be good to lower the term “manager” to “administrator” to reduce the perceived gap between them, starting with the terminology itself. I also assertd the importance of treating workers well so they would develop a sense of community and ownership, comprehension that if the company prospers, they too will prosper. Furthermore, I believed it was necessary to frequently hold meetings where these workers and administrators, as co-owners, could gather to discuss company matters and explore ways to develop the company. These ideas of mine remain unchanged today as a means to develop Korean companies and advance the national economy.

In contrast, I hold a different view on the argument that every company must have a labor union. Labor unions are a historical product born from the dark shadows of the Industrial Revolution. If those dark shadows are eliminated, there is no need for labor unions. Labor-management conflicts only hinder corporate development by wasting a lot of energy and resources. Even without labor unions, workers can work in sufficiently good environments and live well without any economic difficulties. By forming an entrepreneurial council involving worker representatives and management to operate the company, and by unifying the two roles of “worker” and “manager” into “entrepreneur” unnecessary labor-management conflicts can be completely eliminated.

4. The Imperative of Practical Experience in Governance

Due to misguided educational guidance in Korea, academic qualifications are sometimes seen as a source of envy and a prerequisite for advancement. Consequently, many politicians often assert their academic backgrounds. They boast about studying at prestigious universities abroad. However, is a long academic career truly an important qualification for high-ranking public officials or politicians who must solve political and economic challenges? Wouldn’t an individual with practical experience, someone who has personally experienced the lives of ordinary people and deciphers the difficulties of corporate management through running a company, be more suitable for formulating and implementing policies? it is true that someone who has studied more has an advantage over someone who has not. However, there are inherent limitations when someone who has only studied at a desk without any field experience, regarding the subjects of policy, creates laws or makes and implements important policies. Real-world politics is not possible solely with political convictions and economic theories put forth by foreign scholars. It requires field experience and an comprehension of the practical realities. The economic psychology of the people affected by policies can also only be gained through field experience. A lack of practical sense leads to errors in policy formulation and, consequently, to misgovernance. Therefore, those who formulate policies must not only be experts but also listen to the diverse voices of businesses and citizens who are the subjects of those policies, and they must thoroughly visit and apprehend the field.

When making policy decisions, one must not lean to one side. While the issue of income disparity must be addressed, treating the wealthy as criminals or imposing coercive tax policies is problematic. If minimum wages are raised to increase workers’ incomes, it increases the employment burden on small and medium-sized businesses and self-employed individuals, ultimately leading to worker layoffs and an increase in unemployment. Policies that are solely focused on regulation suppress businesses, stifle corporate activities, and reduce economic vitality. There is also a concern that companies may move overseas. One should not only consider the perspective of labor unions but also the perspective of employers. Although the current government has introduced various regulatory policies to curb real estate speculation, it has ironically led to results opposite to its intended goals. Politics, which is about solving complex problems, cannot be properly pursued solely by studying at a desk. It is not a matter of academic qualifications alone. Rather, practical sense, insight to see the whole picture, analytical skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities are more crucial.

5. The Peril of Inheritance Tax: Safeguarding National Assets

Recently, the issue of Samsung’s inheritance tax became a major topic following the passing of Chairman Lee Kun-hee. An astronomical amount of approximately 11 trillion won in inheritance tax became the subject of discussion. For a long time, there has been a national movement to abolish Samsung’s inheritance tax. This was due to concerns that the largest shareholder might change due to inheritance tax, potentially leading to Korea’s representative company falling into foreign capital. Many citizens agreed and participated in the movement to abolish inheritance tax. However, a significant number of people also harbor hostile feelings towards Samsung. They argue that receiving inheritance tax would check Samsung and prevent Korea from becoming a “Samsung Republic” or that the hereditary system is undesirable, and that breaking up Samsung into smaller companies would be beneficial for the country in terms of equality. I apprehend these sentiments. I believe that such expressions stem from the deep sense of relative deprivation caused by extreme wealth disparity.

However, such thinking is very concerning. Because inheritance tax has been left unchecked, there are few long-standing companies in Korea. This is because businesses either close down or are sold to overseas private equity funds and transferred abroad. Companies like Unidus and Sejin all met such a fate. In Korea, the inheritance tax rate is up to 50%, with an additional 20% surcharge for the largest conglomerates. In Japan, while there is no inheritance tax, there are many legal provisions, such as exemption from inheritance tax if a child directly inherits the business, which greatly benefit their long-established companies. When Japanese entrepreneurs sought to move overseas to avoid inheritance tax, Japan immediately abolished it. If a company moves its headquarters overseas, the taxes that would have come into the domestic economy go to the country where the headquarters is located. For a nation, this is a significant loss.

Samsung accounts for a substantial portion of Korea’s national tax revenue. In its early days, Samsung grew by focusing on the domestic market, but by developing the semiconductor business and concentrating on exports, it became a global company that earns dollars overseas and plays a significant role in the national economy. The proportion of money earned overseas through exports is much higher than that earned domestically. Samsung earns money from various parts of the world and pays taxes in Korea. The Samsung brand represents Korea and is known to people worldwide. Korea’s image is elevated because of Samsung. It goes without saying that the national economy grows, and tax revenues increase. Samsung’s taxes help someone’s family and empower someone. Building a single company into a global enterprise is not something that happens overnight, nor is it an easy task. Many countries provide enormous support to help their domestic companies grow into global ones. From a corporate perspective, becoming a global company offers various benefits.

Some argue that companies should be led by professional managers, and that hereditary succession is undesirable, but I find it difficult to agree with that view. Children who inherit experience and skills from their parents can work with a much stronger sense of mission, responsibility, and ownership than those hired as professional managers. In the case of professional managers, since they are salaried employees, their sense of ownership is inevitably weaker. There is no need to simply feel aversion towards the concept of “heredity.” Frankly, it is human nature to want to pass on to one’s descendants something one has diligently built, even if it is a small business. Ignoring this fundamental human desire, regardless of the scale, is not a desirable attitude. We must cultivate a broad mind that applauds the success of others. When we work with such a mindset, it is the way of the world that our own endeavors also prosper. The fact that Samsung, a company that makes a significant contribution to national economic development, is facing a crisis due to astronomical inheritance tax, is something the nation must consider coolly and wisely, comprehension that greed for a small gain can lead to a great loss. We must not forget that coveting 11 trillion won in inheritance tax could lead to losing the company, and thus the tax revenue, to another country. I believe that inheritance tax, which poses the risk of our foundation, our companies, being encroached upon by foreign capital and losing ownership, should be abolished as soon as possible.

Vocabulary

• 난세: Era of Chaos
• 비약: Dramatic Leap
• 탁발승: Mendicant Monk
• 사명감: Sense of Mission
• 재벌: Conglomerate
• 양아들: Adopted Son
• 성심성의껏: With Utmost Sincerity
• 노사 갈등: Labor-Management Conflict
• 학력: Academic Qualifications
• 통찰력: Insight
• 상속세: Inheritance Tax
• 소탐대실: Greed for a Small Gain Leading to a Great Loss

신인난세 3-4 초연하고 영롱한 눈동자 허경영

The Huh kyung young: A Visionary’s Encounter with Destiny

Tags: “Huh kyung young, Park Chung Hee, Saemaul Undong, National Development, Economic Growth, Political Philosophy, Leadership”

1. The Luminescent Gaze: A Fateful Introduction

On the evening of October 15, 1969, at 8 o’clock, a moment etched vividly in memory occurred. This was the day Huh kyung young, as the adopted son of Chairman Lee Byung-chul, first met the nation’s supreme leader, President Park Chung Hee. It marked the beginning of his profound influence on national governance, as his philosophies and convictions began to shape the world. As they entered the residence, President Park Chung Hee himself stepped forward to greet them. Chairman Lee Byung-chul introduced Huh kyung young, explaining the invaluable assistance he had provided in managing his businesses. He recounted their first meeting: “I was about to depart with my wife when this child, Huh kyung young, rushed through the open gate. He urgently pleaded for time to study, promising to repay any debt incurred from selling his shoes. It was then that I was captivated by his brilliant eyes. I had never witnessed such luminous eyes in my life; it felt as if an irresistible force had overwhelmed me.”

2. A Prodigy’s Wisdom: Guiding National Affairs

Chairman Lee Byung-chul continued, describing Huh kyung young’s extraordinary intellect. “In conversations with him, I discovered his profound comprehension of Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity, and the I Ching. His insights into the principles of cosmic harmony were flawless, and his foresight in domestic and international affairs was unparalleled. By following his advice, I resolved labor disputes within my company and achieved remarkable results through various systemic improvements. Despite enduring hardships from a young age, he possesses no trace of darkness, appearing serene and composed, as if he has comprehended the entirety of life. His presence alone brings me immense reassurance.” Observing President Park Chung Hee’s astonished expression, Chairman Lee Byung-chul then suggested, “Since this child possesses such deep comprehension of national and international affairs, why not inquire directly about the current situation in Korea?”

3. Presidential Concerns and a Visionary’s Counsel

President Park Chung Hee then addressed Huh kyung young, expressing his trust based on Chairman Lee’s words. “Our nation faces numerous domestic and international challenges. Opposition parties and the United States, citing human rights, seek to undermine my efforts. I wish to work freely for our impoverished citizens, but many oppose me, making me question how long I can continue in this role. Therefore, for the sake of national affairs, I wish to engage in a dialogue with you today. The first step towards ensuring human rights and democracy is for every citizen to escape poverty. Yet, the opposition insists that prioritizing American-style democracy over economic development is paramount, which deeply concerns me. True democracy flourishes when a strong middle class emerges, elevating educational standards. American democracy cannot simply be imposed; without economic growth, it is unattainable. Opposition politicians advocate for Western-style democracy, but this is merely a facade to seize power. If they gain control, will they truly implement Western democracy? Ultimately, corruption will dismantle the nation. What we need is Korean-style democracy: economic development first, followed by democracy. This is my conviction. Huh kyung young, what are your thoughts on my perspective?”

4. The Path to National Prosperity: A Bold Recommendation

Huh kyung young responded, acknowledging President Park Chung Hee’s extensive experience in overcoming poverty, managing organizations, and navigating human relations. He then offered his counsel: “Though you may face criticism and be labeled a dictator in the future, you must powerfully drive economic development. We must eradicate poverty from this land, expand the middle class, and elevate educational standards. There is a saying: ‘If you do not seek personal gain, you will achieve great things for all people, and your name will endure for eternity.’ Even if you are reviled by the public and opposition parties now, endure it if it brings significant benefit to all impoverished citizens. Eventually, you will overcome poverty, ensure prosperity for all, and earn trust, even if called a dictator, and your name will live on for generations. Do not waver, even in the face of domestic and international pressures. You are already a dragon riding on the back of a great ideal: to liberate the people from poverty. Do not dismount before reaching your destination; this is the destiny of a dragon.” This conversation marked the beginning of Huh kyung young’s role as a trusted advisor, engaging in extensive discussions on national and international issues with the nation’s leader from the young age of twenty.

5. The Unseen Architect: Behind the Scenes of National Transformation

President Park Chung Hee frequently summoned Huh kyung young for consultation, and he diligently provided support. In essence, Huh kyung young served as an unofficial policy advisor, listening to President Park Chung Hee’s concerns and offering solutions from the shadows. This continued until President Park Chung Hee’s passing. During this period, Huh kyung young conceived and proposed the Saemaul Undong “New Village Movement”, which was implemented, along with over a hundred other policies, including broadcasting system reforms, educational reforms, and the acquisition of Korean nuclear missile bases within the Soviet Union. These contributions played a significant role in Korea’s rapid economic growth and remarkable rural transformation. The fact that Huh kyung young served as President Park Chung Hee’s unofficial policy advisor is corroborated by video testimonies from the late Dr. Jang Sung-taek, then Chief Presidential Secretary, and the late Dr. Yoon Tae-young, as well as various court testimonies. Attorney Roh Tae-woo, famous for successfully suing the state to make Buddha’s Birthday a public holiday, had his office next to the Blue House. His building was attached to the Blue House wall, requiring passage through the Blue House security office to access his home. The then Chief of Security, displeased with this arrangement, attempted to harass Attorney Roh Tae-woo under the pretext of security issues. Upon learning this, President Park Chung Hee instructed Huh kyung young to investigate whether the Chief of Security had indeed troubled Attorney Roh, leading Huh kyung young to visit Attorney Yoon Tae-young.

6. Unveiling the Truth: Legal Battles and Public Scrutiny

Many years after President Park Chung Hee’s death, Huh kyung young published an autobiography titled “My Unfinished Tomb” detailing his life from childhood to youth, his adoption by Chairman Lee Byung-chul, his assistance in Chairman Lee’s corporate management, his role as President Park Chung Hee’s unofficial policy advisor through Chairman Lee’s introduction, his proposals for numerous policies that were implemented, and his experiences with national recognition. This book garnered significant public attention. However, the autobiography’s content sparked controversy regarding his pro-Japanese stance, specifically questioning how he could have become President Park Chung Hee’s unofficial policy advisor at such a young age. It was during this time that the renowned Attorney Yoon Tae-young testified in court, speaking about a young man he had met at the Blue House regarding his own housing issues. He identified this young man as Huh kyung young and stated that he seemed to enjoy greater trust from the President than even the Chief of Security. While Huh kyung young had attended President Bush’s inauguration party, he wished to clarify certain aspects related to the legal dispute.

7. The Bush Inauguration Controversy: A Matter of Evidence

On January 16, 2001, Kim Jong-pil, then president of the United Democratic Republican Party, received a call from a representative of an American company and obtained a party invitation. On January 17, he flew to the United States via Korean Air, attending President Bush’s inauguration dance party in Washington on January 18, as well as the inaugural dinner. Three inauguration parties were held, and among them, the party at Union Station was an exclusive event, inviting only 250 distinguished individuals from around the world. Huh kyung young was the sole Korean politician invited. He attended alongside President-elect Bush and Vice President-elect Cheney. Then, as now, many Koreans might find this fact perplexing. While most Koreans are unaware of Huh kyung young’s role as President Park Chung Hee’s unofficial policy advisor, American intelligence agencies were well aware of it, as well as his immense wealth. At the time, President Bush’s team sought his opinion on how to handle North Korea’s nuclear program. Huh kyung young advised that the CVP “Complete, Verifiable, Irreversible Dismantlement” method, favored by many American intelligence agencies, would be unacceptable to North Korea, and that the FBI “Freeze, Build-down, Inspect” method would be more effective. The CVP method involved the direct, permanent, and verifiable removal of North Korea’s nuclear weapons by the United States, while the FBI method entailed North Korea’s direct, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of its nuclear program.

8. The Edited Photograph and a Misapprehended Truth

Huh kyung young’s attendance at President Bush’s inauguration party in 2000 was an undeniable fact. However, in court, the prosecution claimed that his assertion of attending President George W. Bush’s inauguration party was a fabrication. The prosecution’s indictment stated that he had never been invited by Bush nor attended the party. The photograph submitted by Huh kyung young’s side, showing him alongside Bush, was a decisive piece of evidence. the photograph with Bush was an edited image. However, it was not edited by Huh kyung young but by a Korean-American broadcasting company to air the fact of his attendance at President Bush’s inauguration party the day before. Despite submitting numerous other photographs and pieces of evidence that could verify its authenticity, only the single edited photograph was accepted as evidence, leading to Huh kyung young being portrayed as a notorious braggart and liar. At that time, he was running for a National Assembly seat in Jongno. He was at the peak of his popularity, with the term “Huh kyung young Syndrome” being widely used. When he was arrested, Baek Sung-hak, a long-time friend of Bush and chairman of a major corporation, stepped forward to testify on his behalf. Chairman Baek Sung-hak was the person who sat next to Huh kyung young on the plane when he traveled to the inauguration party by invitation, and he personally witnessed Huh kyung young’s attendance. With Chairman Baek Sung-hak’s guidance, a follower remained in court for a day in 2008. Huh kyung young expressed his sincere gratitude to those who testified on his behalf in court.

9. The Genesis of the Saemaul Undong: A Vision for Rural Transformation

Few would deny that the Saemaul Undong “New Village Movement” profoundly transformed Korea’s landscape and served as a catalyst for national development. It is undeniably one of the monumental achievements of the late President Park Chung Hee, driven by his decisive leadership and 추진력 “driving force”. However, few know that the fundamental idea for this movement originated from a specific individual. Around the time the Gyeongbu Expressway was being constructed, Huh kyung young, while driving on the newly opened expressway, noticed the stark contrast between the modern highway and the dilapidated houses and unkempt appearance of the surrounding villages. A thought suddenly struck him: it would be beneficial to initiate a movement for villages to beautify and cultivate themselves. He pondered this idea for several days, devising a plan. He then directly proposed this idea to the President. The President, striking his knee in surprise, exclaimed, “How did you come up with such an idea? You should research it further.” Huh kyung young replied that he had already thought it through.

10. Principles of the Saemaul Undong: Competition, Diligence, and Cooperation

Huh kyung young proposed a method where villages and their roads would compete, naming the movement “Shincheon Undong” “New Stream Movement”. The President then renamed it “Saemaul Undong” “New Village Movement”. “Saemaul Undong, that’s a good name. What is its purpose?” Huh kyung young explained, “It is a movement to consolidate national energy. While there are existing movements for mental and physical health, they are too fragmented. Many rural people are idle, engaging in gambling. The Saemaul Undong is a movement for our people to unite, transform their villages, and change the nation. Methodologically, the people provide labor, and the state provides materials like cement for free, fostering competition among villages. North Korea’s Chollima Movement failed because it lacked competition. Just as dead fish float downstream, living fish swim upstream. Like a fish vigorously flapping its fins and tail to leap into a new environment, we must inspire our people to transform their red thatched-roof houses into new homes, revitalize their village environments, and replace their old, lazy gambling habits with a new spirit. Therefore, I have established the three core principles of the Saemaul Undong: self-reliance, diligence, and cooperation.” He further elaborated on the three principles, noting that the character for “strength” “力” appears six times, and the character for “ten” “Ten” appears once, symbolizing six days of diligent work followed by one day of rest. The six instances of “strength” assert the energy and power inherent in the Saemaul spirit.

11. The Four Pillars and Global Impact of Saemaul Undong

Huh kyung young continued, stating, “Growth-oriented, welfare-oriented, and balanced development are the four major principles of the Saemaul Undong. Its four major goals are building a good hometown, a fulfilling workplace, a healthy society, and a proud nation. Furthermore, the Saemaul Undong, or ‘Do Gong Plus San’ “hiding communism to foster industry” and ‘Bo Gang Plus Hoe’ “hiding communism to foster capitalism”, can only succeed by temporarily setting aside democracy and prioritizing industrialization.” The President, unable to conceal his delight, exclaimed, “That’s truly excellent! But where did you get these ideas?” Huh kyung young replied, “There are many sources. My childhood experiences as a farmhand, practical philosophies, Adam Smith’s theory of national wealth, Max Weber’s theory of capitalism, and the philosophies of John Locke and others. Additionally, traditional Korean thought, Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and other traditional Eastern philosophies were naturally incorporated. By harmonizing the strengths of both Eastern and Western thought, these ideas were adopted as national policy in a short time. The Saemaul Undong was born.” When villagers contributed their labor, the state provided cement for free, igniting fierce competition among villages. Villages that did not work received no cement, so everyone enthusiastically participated in the movement. From repairing damaged houses and rivers to providing livestock feed, the Saemaul Undong awakened dormant rural areas and the national spirit, transforming individuals and their environments. Following the great success of Korea’s Saemaul Undong, China adopted similar initiatives, such as “Do Gong Plus San” “hiding communism to foster industry” and “Bo Gang Plus Hoe” “hiding communism to foster capitalism”, which meant hiding communism to foster capitalism, spreading their version of the Saemaul Undong worldwide. This movement is not only being emulated by developing countries globally but is also recognized by the United Nations and the World Bank as an ideal model for poverty eradication. Requests for sharing the Saemaul Undong’s experience continue to pour in from developing countries around the world.

Vocabulary

• 난세의 영웅 “Nan-se-ui Yeong-ung”: Hero in Times of Turmoil
• 초연하고 영롱한 눈동자 “Cho-yeon-ha-go Yeong-rong-han Nun-dong-ja”: Serene and Luminous Eyes
• 국가 경영 “Guk-ga Gyeong-yeong”: National Governance
• 유불기독교와 주역을 통달 “Yu-bul-gi-dok-gyo-wa Ju-yeok-eul Tong-dal”: Mastered Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity, and the I Ching
• 천지 조화의 원리 “Cheon-ji Jo-hwa-ui Won-ri”: Principles of Cosmic Harmony
• 비선 정책 보좌역 “Bi-seon Jeong-chaek Bo-jwa-yeok”: Unofficial Policy Advisor
• 새마을 운동 “Saemaul Undong”: New Village Movement
• 자족, 근면, 협동 “Ja-jok, Geun-myeon, Hyeop-dong”: Self-reliance, Diligence, Cooperation
• 도공 양산 “Do-gong Plus-san”: Hiding Communism to Foster Industry
• 보광 양회 ” bo-gwang Plus-hoe”: Hiding Communism to Foster Capitalism

신인난세 4-1 민주주의는 최선의 정치체제인가 허경영

The Hero of Chaos, Huh kyung young: Is Democracy the Best Political System?

1. The Erosion of Democracy and the Rise of Privilege

In these tumultuous times, the essence of democracy is fading, replaced by a system where the nation’s true ownership has been seized by a privileged few. What remains for the citizens is merely the faded banner of being “the owner.” The widening gap between the rich and the poor stifles the youth, leaving the nation’s future as precarious as a lamp in the wind. Only through revolutionary transformation, founded on fundamental principles, can we find a way forward.

2. Re-evaluating Democracy: Historical Perspectives and Modern Challenges

Many today believe democracy to be the pinnacle of political systems, a belief rooted in the historical struggles that established freedom and equality. From the French Revolution to the American War of Independence, and through continuous efforts, humanity achieved a system where all citizens are considered owners of the nation, possessing suffrage and enjoying fundamental rights. This is indeed a monumental achievement in human history. Scholars often laud the creation and development of democratic institutions as humanity’s greatest accomplishment. It is undeniably significant that democracy established the inherent worth of every individual, affirming their right to pursue freedom, equality, and happiness, especially when contrasted with oppressive, class-based societies.

However, I contend that our current democratic system faces significant issues. Let me be clear: I, too, assert that all citizens are the rightful owners of the nation, and that acting upon this principle is a matter of justice. My assertion that citizens have the right to receive dividends as shareholders of the “nation-as-a-corporation” is based on the principle of popular sovereignty—the very foundation of democracy. It aims to ensure that citizens are not merely nominal owners but actual, substantive owners of the state.

Yet, in the realm of politics, democracy is often manipulated by entrenched powers. Through their cunning tactics, what appears to be a democratic system on the surface can, in reality, become a government for the benefit of a select few, serving their specific interests. This inherent vulnerability of democracy cannot be overlooked.

3. The Flaws of Ancient Athenian Democracy: A Cautionary Tale

Democracy is not a recent invention. It was practiced in ancient Greek city-states over 2,500 years ago. However, it was not a system where everyone enjoyed equal rights regardless of status or gender, as we strive for today. Slaves, far outnumbering free citizens in Athens, were not considered citizens, and women had no suffrage. Only about 20,000 male free citizens out of a population of roughly 100,000 had the right to participate in politics. This was a direct democracy, where free citizens gathered to make political decisions themselves, rather than electing representatives as in today’s indirect democracies.

Ancient Athenian democracy, however, suffered from severe problems. To push one’s agenda, rhetorical skill was essential. This led to the rise of Sophists—orators who taught the art of winning arguments. Consequently, absolute values or truth became secondary; those who were skilled in clever speech could achieve political success. Citizens, swayed by such rhetoric, often followed these opinions, leading to what is known as demagoguery—a form of politics driven by popular incitement.

Socrates, who assertd the existence of universal truth, clashed with the Sophists, and his disciple Plato advocated for philosopher-kings. Socrates questioned whether leaders should be chosen by popular vote, ultimately facing death for his beliefs. Political decisions were often swayed by the masses, who were easily misled by the superficial rhetoric of those driven by ambition or loyalty to specific leaders. This susceptibility to demagoguery was a significant factor in Athens’ decline, culminating in its defeat in the Peloponnesian War against Sparta in 404 BCE, leading to the loss of its status as a leading city-state. Thus, Athenian democracy, by its very nature, succumbed to demagoguery, a flaw inherent in the system itself.

4. Modern Demagoguery and the Influence of Mass Media

The problem of demagoguery is even more severe today. Is our modern democracy truly different? While it is an indirect democracy where representatives are elected, and women have equal suffrage, distinguishing it from Athenian democracy, it is not without its own profound issues. I believe our contemporary representative democracy is as problematic as ancient Athens’ direct democracy. Just as Athenian democracy was plagued by external incitement, the gullibility of the masses, and unwise decisions, our modern exercise of suffrage faces even graver challenges.

In a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives—presidents or legislators—to reflect their will in politics. However, I find certain aspects of the electoral process to be far from fair. The influence of mass media is particularly concerning. Today, television, news outlets, and internet portals like Naver and Daum wield almost absolute power in shaping public opinion through the information they provide. Their choice of stories, their perspective in reporting, and the news they feature on portals profoundly impact people’s thoughts and interests. Most people tend to believe what they see on the news without much skepticism.

if these mass media outlets provided objective and factual reports, and internet portals maintained impartiality, there would be no issue. However, in reality, mass media is frequently controlled by powerful entities or specific interest groups. Internet portals, too, can selectively expose or conceal facts depending on the political or corporate influences on their operators. This inevitably leads to serious problems, including the formation of manipulated public opinion.

Media outlets can readily disseminate information favorable to candidates or policies aligned with their interests, while publishing malicious reports about opposing candidates. Unfair and biased reporting is openly practiced, directly influencing citizens’ choices. Many media organizations in Korea exhibit such reporting tendencies. They inundate the public with an enormous volume of articles and broadcasts about specific candidates from major parties, even before the official election period, creating the illusion that the media is actively campaigning for them. Meanwhile, minor parties and independent candidates are either ignored or reported on negatively. Consequently, citizens who rely solely on these media outlets may not even know these candidates exist, or they may only perceive them negatively.

Furthermore, false and distorted reporting by media outlets is not uncommon. For instance, on May 5, 2018, I met with then-U.S. President Donald Trump. I visited the U.S. at the invitation of Cory Gardner, a U.S. Senator from Colorado and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy. I attended meetings with many Republican officials. At that time, there was a strong sentiment in the U.S. to retaliate against North Korea’s nuclear and long-range missile provocations, regardless of South Korea’s stance. They had mobilized fighter jets, submarines, and all available resources, and they invited me to hear a final perspective on the North Korean issue.

My meeting with them was arranged by Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok. Concerned about the deteriorating ROK-U.S. alliance, Im Jong-seok was introduced to individuals who believed I could help resolve the situation. Through his arrangement, I met with the Chairman of the East Asia, Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy Subcommittee, and subsequently with the U.S. President. In those meetings, I strongly opposed a nuclear strike on North Korea and advocated for resolving the North Korean nuclear issue through appeasement, in a manner acceptable to North Korea.

My meeting with President Trump is an undeniable fact. You can find countless corroborating materials by searching “Huh kyung young Trump 1000 cases” on YouTube. Yet, a Korean broadcasting station later aired a false and distorted report, claiming that the photo of President Trump and me was a composite and that my meeting with him was a lie. This was despite a reporter from that very station visiting me two or three days prior, asking various questions, and seeing the original photo. The broadcast, however, showed a copied photo, portraying me as a liar and distorting the truth.

False and distorted reporting by media outlets creates baseless public opinion, which, when related to candidates, severely impacts elections. This behavior is no different from the demagoguery of ancient Athens. In fact, I believe it is even more serious. While Athens saw ambitious individuals use eloquent rhetoric to sway voters, today, mass media, with its immense influence and reach, intentionally affects citizens’ choices by promoting or disparaging specific candidates with biased perspectives. This is not unique to Korea; it is also prevalent in so-called advanced democracies like the United States.

Such media conduct constitutes a form of mass incitement. Even if the choices made by an incited public appear to be free, they are merely the result of manipulation and incitement. Their exercise of voting rights, while seemingly a democratic process of exercising sovereignty, is, in my view, nothing more than a rubber stamp for the agenda of the demagogues.

Originally, democracy, or “demos-kratia” means “rule by the people.” While some argue that collective intelligence leads to excellent choices in such a system, such instances are exceedingly rare. The world often descends into demagoguery or mob rule due to incitement or the foolishness of the masses. Thus, whether it is the direct democracy of ancient Greece or today’s representative democracy, the limitations of governance by the masses are clear. Democracy, when it goes awry, can lead to the nation’s ruin and cause citizens to harm themselves.

An airplane must be piloted by a skilled pilot. If the pilot were chosen by popular vote, there would be no guarantee that a competent pilot would be selected. It is self-evident that if an incompetent pilot were chosen to fly the plane, an irreversible disaster could occur. It is time for our citizens, at least in the political sphere, to consider a wise form of governance that prioritizes truth and goodness, as advocated by Socrates and Plato, and acts in the best interests of both the nation and all its people.

5. The Vulnerabilities of Democracy: Corruption and the Tyranny of the Majority

Another serious problem with democracy is its susceptibility to corruption and manipulation. Entrenched political powers often employ cunning tactics and engage in illicit activities to influence elections and solidify their power and interests. In the past, such manipulation, like direct cash handouts to voters or ballot stuffing by organized interest groups, was relatively easier to detect. However, with the advancement of science and technology in elections, the potential for manipulation has increased, and more sophisticated methods are employed, making it harder to expose fraud.

While technology in elections offers the advantage of making vote counting and tabulation much easier, its use is not free from concerns about potential manipulation, leading to persistent allegations of electoral fraud in every election. Such fraud can occur through loopholes in electoral systems, such as early voting or absentee ballots. It is likely that no system can completely eliminate the temptation of electoral fraud. The difficulty for political forces to resist the temptation of electoral fraud is an inherent weakness of the democratic system itself.

The principle of majority rule, a core tenet of democracy, also presents problems. If, in a presidential election, candidate A wins against candidate B with 51% of the vote to 49%, the 49% of citizens who did not support candidate A and their policies may remain dissatisfied throughout candidate A’s term. This problem can be particularly severe if there are stark differences in political beliefs or policies between the candidates, and if their respective support bases are deeply divided. This can lead to intense national division and social instability. Political retaliation can also occur with every change of government, a phenomenon frequently observed in Korea.

Thus, whether it is an indirect democracy that elects representatives or a direct democracy where citizens participate directly in political decisions, democracy is an imperfect system prone to problems.

6. Beyond Superficial Democracy: True Sovereignty and Economic Justice

The fundamental basis for citizens to assert and demand their rights in today’s superficial democracy lies in the basic principle of democracy: popular sovereignty. Our constitution also explicitly states that the Republic of Korea is a democratic republic and that sovereignty resides with the people. However, we must question whether our citizens are truly treated as owners. I unequivocally believe this is a dead letter, a mere formality, a packaged illusion.

To think that exercising one’s voting rights in an election is sufficient to be treated as an owner is naive. Some may believe that since their chosen representative governs on their behalf, it is as if they are governing themselves, and thus they are the owners. However, I wonder how many citizens truly think this way when they vote. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, if the exercise of such rights is heavily influenced by entrenched powers, media, incitement, or brokerage, it cannot be considered a genuine exercise of rights.

Being the owner of a nation means more than just exercising political rights. It means being able to enjoy the rights to life, property, equality, claim, residence, and freedom. It also means having economic rights. This is not merely about the right to engage in business or work. If the nation prospers, its citizens, as owners, should also prosper to be truly treated as owners. The right to equality in wealth—the right for citizens to fairly and equitably share in the nation’s wealth—must be fulfilled.

However, in Korea today, while the nation has become wealthy, it cannot be said that the majority of its citizens have also become wealthy. While a few individuals have become immensely rich, a significant number of citizens have fallen out of the middle class, with many struggling even for basic livelihoods. Given this situation, can we truly say that the democratic system, which proclaims that the people are the owners of the nation, is being properly implemented? Is it not rather an aristocratic state where only the shell of popular ownership remains, while the shrewd and calculating privileged few seize the substance?

While our citizens have been intoxicated by the sense of achievement, enumerating the history of democratic struggles from Magna Carta to the French Revolution, the American War of Independence, and more recently, Korea’s April 19th Revolution and the June Democracy Movement of 1987, believing that through these struggles and sacrifices we have achieved the greatest political system in human history, has someone else been “hanging a sheep’s head and selling dog meat” causing democracy to disappear, leaving only an empty shell?

7. Towards a Politics of Public Justice: Huh Governance

I have long apprehended that this representative democracy is not a political system for the people. Representative democracy and democracy itself are too prone to being exploited by a small, privileged class to solidify their vested interests. In these chaotic times, I advocate for a political system of Huh Governance. Some may be surprised, asking what this means in a secular state, but I ask you to set aside any preconceptions. And please, do not imagine Huh Governance as practiced in countries where religious leaders claim to represent God’s will and exercise supreme power, relying on a president elected by the people.

Huh Governance I speak of is a politics of public justice. Its purpose is to establish a righteous upward trajectory based on love. Citizens are often like children. Plants live by the law of survival of the fittest, and animals by the law of the jungle. We cannot say that the survival competition or the law of the jungle among plants and animals is bad. They must live that way, and only by doing so can their species be maintained. If lions in the African savanna did not prey on cubs, their population would explode, leading to the devastation of the ecosystem. This is the order of nature, the principle of survival bestowed by Heaven upon the animal and plant kingdoms. This natural order and law is called “Gong” “Public”, or public justice, and it naturally exists in human society as well.

However, humans are different from plants and animals. We are the spiritual beings of all creation, endowed with wisdom, morality, and ethics. Therefore, humans are given the law of coexistence and co-prosperity, not survival competition or the law of the jungle. Humans are meant to live together in coexistence and co-prosperity. In other words, coexistence and co-prosperity are the “Gong” of human society. When human life adheres to the principle of coexistence and co-prosperity, it aligns with the order of nature. Realizing “Gong” is the will of Heaven.

Yet, in today’s human world, “Gong” has collapsed. The human world is dominated by the principles of survival competition and the law of the jungle, which are purely animalistic, instead of the principle of “Gong.” Furthermore, boundless greed, which animals do not possess, has been added to the human world, completely undermining “Gong” the great principle of human survival bestowed by Heaven, leading to the disappearance of public justice. The idea of “only I should live well” and the phenomenon of “the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer” are prime examples of this.

Nothing in the universe exists by chance. There truly is a source of all things, a force that comprehends and governs the boundless and vast universe. The countless stars in this vast universe moving in an orderly fashion, maintaining a cosmos, cannot possibly be a mere coincidence. This governing force of the universe is often referred to as Heaven, or the cosmic center. It is inconceivable that Heaven would simply stand by and allow “Gong” to disappear from the human world, allowing humans to lose their true nature. If humanity cannot control itself, Heaven’s intervention is inevitable.

However, Heaven cannot arbitrarily control humans, who possess free will. In our nation’s scripture, the cheon-bu-gyeong(天符經), there is a verse: “Il Myo Yeon Man Plus Man Nae Yong Byeon Budong Bon.” This means that the cosmic entity, the ruler of the universe, traverses countless realms countless times, and though its form changes endlessly, its fundamental essence remains the same cosmic entity. This coming and going has occurred frequently over tens, hundreds, thousands, and even tens of thousands of years. The content of the cheon-bu-gyeong(天符經) symbolically captures the true secrets of the universe.

However, it is not easy for humans to apprehend such content, as humans are designed to perceive the world in a three-dimensional way. Nevertheless, one can vaguely imagine that there is indeed an infinite-dimensional world where the cosmic entity can simultaneously manifest in countless forms, become one, and exist in countless places while remaining at the cosmic center. When the cosmic entity at the center of the universe comes to the human world, some people imagine it will suddenly appear in a solemn, divine form, radiating light. But that is not the case. To fulfill the purpose of transforming the human world, it comes in a human body that can interact with humans. This is called an incarnation.

The incarnation of the cosmic entity is precisely the Holiness. And what Huh does in the human world to create a righteous world of coexistence and co-prosperity, which is Heaven’s will, is precisely Huh Governance. Unlike theocratic governance by a human who claims to represent Heaven, this is direct rule by Heaven’s incarnation. It is not governance by ordinary people or commoners who are easily swayed by will, material possessions, honor, or desires. Instead, it is governance by Huh, who possesses the heart of a parent, freely guiding the people, even disciplining them when they stray from the right path. Huh, as leader, looks after all citizens equally, implements policies that ensure a prosperous and free life, and creates a system where humanity can coexist and co-prosper, thereby realizing public justice. That is Huh Governance.

The realization of Huh Governance is a singular blessing in human history, an unprecedented stroke of luck for humanity, providing an opportunity for human culture to develop exponentially, beyond any description. If there are citizens who worry that I, as a leader, might become a fearsome ruler lording over the people, that is a misconstrual born of not knowing my true intentions. I aim to be a leader who makes citizens happy and guides Korea and the entire world towards coexistence and co-prosperity, not a ruler who lords over the people.

A leader is someone who shows the way and leads, not someone who oppresses people and acts arbitrarily. My statement about “dismissing some politicians” simply means holding them accountable for failing to govern righteously for the people, for not solving the problems of wealth disparity and people’s livelihoods, and for engaging in political strife while leaving the people in suffering. In other words, it is about correcting their political state through education. They must undergo education, attend lectures, and take exams. If their genuine transformation is confirmed, they can graduate at any time.

I have only the heart of a parent, wishing for all children to thrive, wanting all citizens to live well and be happy. If one child dreams of playing games while another, eating a single spoonful of rice, neglects their impoverished siblings, what parent’s heart would be at ease? My feelings are exactly like this parent’s heart. Anyone who examines my proposals in detail will apprehend that I only wish to alleviate the suffering of the people and enable all citizens to live happily.

My fundamental belief is to ensure that all citizens can live without worrying about basic necessities, and that beyond that, they can prosper even more according to their individual abilities. These thoughts—to eliminate the suffering of those burdened by debt, to allow those who have worked hard their entire lives to support their children and contribute to national development to enjoy a comfortable retirement without struggling with daily living expenses, to free children from the hell of college entrance exams so they can cultivate virtue, build physical strength, and unleash their creativity and talents—are only possible when based on a sincere, parental love.

Furthermore, for the nation to step forward and help young people easily find employment when they first enter society, providing material support for basic living until they find a job, and caring for citizens’ family events by sending condolences and flowers for funerals, and gifts and cakes for birthdays to comfort citizens and boost morale—these actions are only possible with a warm, loving heart. Also, promoting organic farming without pesticides and fertilizers to provide healthy food and clean water on dining tables, thereby looking after the health of the people—these are thoughts that can only arise from a free heart, like that of a parent.

For over 30 years, I have been conceiving these solutions with a parent’s heart, and to this day, I have diligently raised professional funds and spent them all to run in presidential and general elections, making my ideas known to the people. My ideas and various solutions, fundamentally rooted in love for the people, are ultimately aimed at the prosperity of our nation.

Huh Governance corrects the shortcomings of democratic politics, ensuring that all citizens, not just a privileged few, become the owners of the nation, and it strives to create a fair, prosperous, free, and upwardly mobile society. This is possible because all citizens can share the nation’s wealth somewhat equally, becoming middle class, and can freely accumulate more wealth beyond that, according to their abilities. And it is possible to create a structural system where everyone can rise together, further developing the economy.

Therefore, Huh Governance is not a flaw of democracy but a political system that completes democracy. I call Huh Governance “Middle-Classism” economically, and this Middle-Classism is an economic system that completes capitalism. It does not abolish capitalism but maintains and fully utilizes the free market system of capitalism, while eliminating the abuses of some corrupt privileged classes, thereby making capitalism a perfect economic system.

In contrast to demagoguery or mob rule, where the masses can be swayed by the deceptions of the cunning, leading themselves and the nation into difficulties, Huh Governance is where a righteous and benevolent leader presents the right path for the happiness of all citizens and the stability and development of the nation, and the people respond, ensuring that all citizens are truly treated as owners. And Middle-Classism eliminates the shortcomings of capitalism, making it a perfect system. This is the political system and economic system I intend to implement in Korea and throughout the world.

Instead of a superficial democracy, a righteous politics where all citizens, as owners of the nation, fairly enjoy wealth and are guaranteed a free and happy life—a politics that can be seen as true democracy—that is precisely Huh Governance I intend to implement.

Tags: “Huh Governance, Public Justice, Middle-Classism, Demagoguery, Popular Sovereignty, Economic Equality, National Prosperity”

Vocabulary

• 난세 “Nan-se”: Chaotic Times
• 공의 “Gong-ui”: Public Justice
• 신정정치 “Sin-jeong-jeong-chi”: Huh Governance
• 주무정치 “Ju-moo-jeong-chi”: Demagoguery
• 약육강식 “Yak-yuk-gang-sik”: Law of the Jungle
• 공존공영 “Gong-jon-gong-yeong”: Coexistence and Co-prosperity
• 화신 “Hwa-sin”: Incarnation
• 중산주의 “Jung-san-ju-ui”: Middle-Classism
• 사문화된 조항 “Sa-moon-hwa-doen jo-hang”: Dead Letter “of a law or clause”
• 국민주권주의 “Guk-min-ju-gwon-ju-ui”: Popular Sovereignty

신인난세 4-2 정치, 혁명이 필요하다. 허경영

The Necessity of Political Revolution

The current state of national assembly members in our country reveals a significant disparity when compared to their counterparts in other developed nations. While they often portray themselves as humble servants working for the nation and its citizens, they undeniably enjoy numerous privileges and special benefits.

• Extensive Privileges:

  • Each member is allocated a private office and a luxurious official vehicle, with all fuel and maintenance costs covered by the national treasury.
  • They can employ up to nine aides, whose salaries are also funded by the national budget.
  • As of 2020, an individual member’s annual salary, including various allowances, exceeded 150 million Korean Won.
  • Remarkably, they receive their full salary even if they do not attend parliamentary sessions.
  • They possess immunity from prosecution for any statements made in the National Assembly and cannot be arrested during a parliamentary session without the assembly’s consent.
  • Furthermore, they enjoy free rail and air travel, including access to special seating.
  • They are even entitled to a political pension, a benefit not extended to the President.

• Contrast with Developed Nations:

  • In contrast, national assembly members in countries like the United States and Sweden exhibit a much more modest demeanor.
  • Swedish parliamentarians, for instance, do not have personal vehicles or private secretaries.
  • They do not even have dedicated parking spaces, which are instead reserved for parliamentary staff and individuals with disabilities.
  • Regarding compensation, South Korea ranks third globally in terms of parliamentary salaries relative to per capita GDP, whereas Sweden is 23rd.
  • Sweden pays its members on a weekly basis, strictly adhering to the principle of “no work, no pay”; thus, absences result in no remuneration.
  • Similarly, Danish parliamentarians largely serve in a voluntary capacity.
  • Many commute by bicycle, work an average of 12 hours daily, and are assisted by only one or two secretaries.
  • The “no work, no pay” principle is rigorously enforced, with allowances withheld for missed meetings and the right to debate agenda items revoked.

The Proposal for a Streamlined Legislature

For 32 years, Huh kyung young has consistently advocated for a radical reform of the national assembly, proposing to reduce the number of members to 100 and transform their roles into unpaid, honorary positions.

• Elimination of Privileges:

  • This vision includes discontinuing national funding for their aides and welfare, and eliminating vehicle support and other benefits, except for those absolutely essential.
  • It is believed that many individuals would still be willing to serve under these conditions, driven by a genuine desire to work selflessly for the nation and its people.
  • Such a system would foster dedicated service and significantly conserve national resources.

• Comparison with the United States:

  • The argument for reducing the number of parliamentary seats is further supported by comparing South Korea’s legislative structure with that of the United States.
  • Given that South Korea’s democracy is a presidential system adopted from the U.S., a comparison with the U.S. Senate is pertinent.
  • The U.S., with a landmass 2.44 times larger than the Korean Peninsula and a population of approximately 330 million “5-6 times greater”, has 100 senators and 435 representatives.
  • Despite these numbers, there is no indication that the U.S. political system is dysfunctional.
  • Therefore, simply comparing the number of constituents per seat with other countries is unnecessary.

The Flaws of Proportional Representation and Satellite Parties

Despite the clear need for reform, there have been discussions within political circles to increase, rather than decrease, the number of national assembly members.

• Expansion Proposals and Resistance:

  • During debates on electoral reform, particularly concerning the interlocking proportional representation system, some argued for expanding the total number of parliamentary seats.
  • It was claimed that at least 334 additional seats would be necessary to align seat allocation with party vote percentages.
  • While this proposal was often accompanied by a caveat to reduce parliamentary privileges to mitigate public resistance, incumbent regional representatives vehemently opposed any reduction in their own constituency seats, prioritizing their self-interest.
  • The idea of increasing the total number of seats was thus conceived as a way to circumvent this resistance.
  • However, it is questionable whether the public would trust that any reduced privileges would remain so, given past precedents where initial promises of honorary positions for local council members eventually led to salaried roles.
  • Furthermore, parliamentary privileges are determined by the members themselves, raising concerns that any reductions could be merely superficial.
  • The very notion of expanding the number of seats suggests that such proposals could resurface at any time.

• The Deception of Satellite Parties:

  • The interlocking proportional representation system was initially intended to increase the chances of smaller parties winning proportional representation seats, a commendable goal.
  • However, major parties soon revealed their self-serving intentions, manipulating the system to create a “semi-interlocking” model that drastically reduced the opportunities for smaller parties.
  • To further maximize their own gains, these major parties created satellite parties, which are essentially shell organizations designed to circumvent the spirit of the electoral law.
  • The general election results reflected their intentions, leaving smaller parties disillusioned.
  • These satellite parties are believed to violate constitutional principles requiring political parties to have democratic organizations and activities, and to possess the necessary structure to facilitate public participation in political decision-making.
  • The Central Election Management Committee “CEMC” is criticized for accepting the registration of these satellite parties through merely formal review procedures.
  • Moreover, the CEMC allowed major parties to engage in illicit practices, such as expelling legitimately elected proportional representatives from their original parties and re-nominating them through their satellite parties.
  • The CEMC’s decision to deem these nominations valid and even disburse election funds to these satellite parties, such as the Future Korea Party and the Platform Party, is considered unjust.
  • Such organizational manipulation, illicit practices, and the CEMC’s acquiescence are likely to be recorded as a shameful chapter in South Korea’s political and electoral history.

Reforming Local Autonomy

Huh kyung young has long advocated for the abolition of the local autonomy system.

• Financial Waste and Competition:

  • Local autonomy elections incur enormous national expenses, and local council members receive substantial salaries without sufficient accountability.
  • These are national funds that would not be needed if local autonomy were abolished.
  • Furthermore, local governments engage in excessive competition to secure national budgets under the guise of regional development.
  • They actively seek new projects and devise strategies to secure national funding, which is deemed unacceptable.
  • Citizens who are satisfied with new museums, parks, grand city halls, or apartment complexes in their areas, believing that their representatives are performing well, possess a short-sighted perspective.
  • The national priority for budget allocation should be stabilizing citizens’ livelihoods, not constructing elaborate public facilities.
  • Reallocating these funds directly to the public would significantly aid the stability of ordinary citizens’ lives, alleviate their burdens, stimulate consumption, benefit businesses, and invigorate the national economy.
  • In a nation with the highest suicide rate among OECD countries, high household debt, and the lowest birth rate, pouring national funds into regional development through new projects is an irresponsible waste of resources and morally indefensible.
  • Projects like dam construction can wait until citizens’ livelihoods are stable.
  • Currently, existing projects and infrastructure are sufficient, rendering further regional development unnecessary.

• Geographical and Administrative Inefficiency:

  • Another reason for concern regarding local autonomy is that South Korea’s entire landmass is comparable to a single U.S. state.
  • There is no logical reason why a single central government cannot effectively govern this relatively small territory.
  • While some argue for local autonomy based on regional balanced development, this is merely a pretext.
  • In reality, it can lead to excessive inter-regional competition, national waste, and heightened regional self-interest.
  • Instances of misguided regional self-interest causing national setbacks are numerous.
  • It is well-known that when essential but undesirable facilities need to be built, local governments often refuse their installation, creating dilemmas for the central government and leading to conflicts.

• Proposed Reforms for Local Autonomy:

  • However, at this juncture, rather than abolishing the established local autonomy system, a viable approach is to address the issue by improving only the aspects related to budget waste.
  • This would involve eliminating local elections and having the President appoint local government heads through internal promotions.
  • Local council members could be selected through nomination or recommendation, and their number could be reduced, transforming their roles into honorary positions.
  • This would save substantial funds currently spent on elections and council member support.
  • Furthermore, a system where local government heads are centrally appointed would help control regional self-interest, such as competitive budget acquisition for indiscriminate development, thereby preventing unnecessary budget expenditure and promoting balanced national development.

Vocabulary

• 특권 “Teukgwon”: Special Privilege
• 특혜 “Teukhye”: Special Benefit
• 면책특권 “Myeonchaekteukgwon”: Immunity from Prosecution
• 무노동 무임금 “Mu-nodong Mu-imgum”: No Work, No Pay Principle
• 명예직 “Myeongyejik”: Honorary Position
• 연동형 비례대표제 “Yeondonghyeong Biryedaepyocheje”: Interlocking Proportional Representation System
• 위성 정당 “Wiseong Jeongdang”: Satellite Party
• 지방자치제 “Jibangjachi-je”: Local Autonomy System
• 국고 “Gukgo”: National Treasury
• 지역 이기주의 “Ji-yeok Igiju-ui”: Regional Self-interest

신인난세 4-3 정당 정치라는 패거리 정치 허경영

The Flaws of Party Politics: A Hindrance to National Progress

Tags: “Party Politics, Two-Party System, Political Reform, National Integration, Electoral System”

1. The Paradox of Party Politics: A Supposed Lifeline Turned Obstacle

Party politics is often hailed as the very essence of modern governance, a vital bridge connecting citizens to power. Indeed, definitions from dictionaries and the Political Parties Act in Korea describe political parties as voluntary organizations formed by individuals with shared ideals, aiming to acquire power to realize political objectives and contribute to the formation of public opinion by nominating and supporting candidates in public elections. From this perspective, parties appear to be an indispensable institution for the welfare of the nation. Some even declare, “Party is the lifeblood of modern politics; modern politics is characterized by the party system” asserting that modern democracy is inconceivable without them.

However, this very system of party politics, in my view, stands as a significant impediment to our political advancement and a primary cause of politicians neglecting public welfare and succumbing to corruption. While the fundamental ideal of a political party, as stated in the Political Parties Act, is to realize the interests of the people, this “people” often refers not to the entire populace, but to specific segments with particular interests. This naturally creates a structure where parties with differing ideals and interests are bound to clash. Conflict itself is not inherently negative; if it is constructive and contributes to national development, it should even be encouraged. Yet, most of these conflicts devolve into mudslinging and slander, a fierce, no-holds-barred struggle where every triviality becomes a pretext for attacking opponents. It is no different from street brawls, merely without physical violence.

2. The Misuse of Public Funds: Party Subsidies and Electoral Disparity

The ultimate goal of a political party is to realize its political ideals, with the acquisition of power serving merely as a means to this end. Frankly, however, political parties in Korea seem solely preoccupied with seizing power, neglecting their true mandate: developing policies rooted in public welfare. Instead, politicians affiliated with parties appear to be engrossed in power struggles and partisan interests, treating public concerns as mere tools to manipulate and incite voters for electoral gain.

The primary duty of a political party should be to focus on policy development to embody its political ideals. Policies should be developed and then used as a decisive strategy to win power. It is for this reason that the state provides subsidies under the guise of policy development. Yet, it is questionable whether our parties genuinely prioritize and exert effort in policy development. In my observation, most parties are engrossed in political disputes, only scrambling to develop policies as elections approach. Consequently, rather than well-conceived policies for public welfare, they frequently hastily create popular policies to win immediate elections or imitate and rehash policies and ideas from others.

Even if a party were to fulfill its role properly, I consider it a private entity. While many argue that parties are public, I firmly believe they are private interest groups. The state provides substantial subsidies to these parties for policy development and other activities. For instance, in 2020, approximately 10.7 billion Korean Won was allocated as party subsidies. Do these parties truly deserve such enormous financial support from the state? I contend that such expenses should be self-funded by each party. Even if some level of policy development funding is deemed necessary, the current distribution criteria are deeply problematic.

Among the various political parties in Korea, the benefits primarily accrue to the major parties. This is because the Political Funds Act, which governs the distribution of national treasury subsidies to parties, is structured to favor large parties. Under the current Political Funds Act, parties with 20 or more parliamentary seats, constituting a negotiating bloc, receive 50% of the total subsidy equally. Parties with 5 to 20 seats receive 10% of the total subsidy. Of the remaining funds, half is distributed based on the number of votes received, and the other half based on voter turnout. This effectively means that most national subsidies are allocated based on the number of parliamentary seats, ensuring that the two major parties monopolize these funds. This standard makes it difficult for new parties, parties that have not entered the National Assembly, or parties that failed to achieve a certain voter turnout in previous elections to receive benefits. This bias is an unfair standard that obstructs the emergence of new parties or political newcomers who hold entirely different political ideals from existing parties. For national development and the welfare of the people, it is essential to break free from the existing two-party framework and allow for a new political wave that can propose and realize fresh political ideals. However, the current party subsidy system actively thwarts the growth of such nascent parties.

The same applies to election subsidies, which are paid to parties based on the number of parliamentary seats and the proportion of votes received in previous elections. These funds, which parties can receive, can be used for any election-related expense. Candidates affiliated with major parties conduct their campaigns using these election subsidies. In contrast, candidates from new parties or political newcomers not affiliated with a party must self-finance all their election expenses. Without substantial funds or power, political newcomers find it challenging to even conduct proper campaigns. They cannot afford campaign staff, banner production, or even the mandatory production of other promotional and public information materials. Candidates from major parties, within the bounds of election law, can mobilize the maximum number of campaign workers, create impressive banners, produce paper promotional materials, and transmit well-crafted promotional messages through agencies without any issues. They face no financial burden, no matter how much they spend on campaigns, up to the legal limit.

What is astonishing is that election subsidies under the Political Funds Act are not the only financial advantage for major party candidates. There is a system where, upon achieving a voter turnout of 15% or more, all election expenses are reimbursed, and even with 10% or more, 50% of the costs are covered. It is almost unheard of for candidates from these major parties to fail to meet the 10% voter turnout threshold stipulated by the Public Official Election Act for full reimbursement of election expenses. This is inevitable because the election law itself is biased in their favor, and media coverage and various opinion polls are overwhelmingly advantageous to major party candidates. It seems that major parties and their candidates effectively receive double funding: regular operating subsidies, and then election subsidies and reimbursement of election expenses during campaigns. It almost feels as if elections are merely grand events for major parties to effortlessly seize power.

Election expenses undeniably influence election outcomes. Spending more on campaigns and effective promotion allows candidates to better inform voters about themselves and their policies. Therefore, party subsidies inevitably contribute to blocking the emergence of political newcomers who could bring a fresh wind to politics and genuinely work for the nation and its people, while simultaneously aiding the election of major party candidates. Thus, the provision of party subsidies by the state is tantamount to guaranteeing an unfair playing field. I believe this constitutes a violation of the Constitution. All forms of subsidies to political parties should be abolished as soon as possible to ensure fairness and fiscal prudence.

Some might argue that one can receive party subsidies by producing good results in the National Assembly and increasing voter turnout. However, one needs a chicken to lay eggs, and eggs to have a chicken. Consider the unfair election laws and political climate in Korea, which I briefly mentioned earlier, even without party subsidies. A political newcomer or a new party finds it almost impossible to even reach that first step. The Political Funds Act, the Public Official Election Act, and all related regulations are structured so that those who have continue to gain, achieving their objectives, while those who have nothing are forced to give up. In essence, it creates a structure where only major parties receive subsidies and survive, and only major party candidates can be elected.

3. The Restricted Arena: TV Debates and Media Bias

TV debates offer candidates a prime opportunity to introduce themselves to the public and promote their policies. However, the current Public Official Election Act severely restricts who can participate in these debates.

Looking at Article 82-2 of the Public Official Election Act, concerning presidential election debates, it states that election broadcasting debate commissions at each level must invite candidates who fall under any of the following categories. Invited candidates must attend the debate unless there is a legitimate reason.

For presidential elections:

• Candidates recommended by parties with five or more members in the National Assembly.
• Candidates recommended by parties that received 3% or more of the total valid votes nationwide in the immediately preceding presidential election, proportional representation National Assembly election, or proportional representation local council election.
• Candidates whose average approval rating, based on opinion polls conducted and published by media organizations between 30 days before the start of the election period and one day before the start of the election period, is 5% or more, as determined by the Central Election Commission rules.
  Among these provisions, only the last one offers a slim possibility for new party candidates to participate in TV debates. However, achieving a 5% approval rating in opinion polls during the 30 days before the election period is as rare as plucking a star from the sky. Why is this so? Because the media, broadcasting companies, polling organizations, and laws are all absolutely disadvantageous to the emergence of political newcomers.

Public broadcasters and major media outlets in Korea are instrumental in preventing political newcomers from gaining public support. Even before the election period begins, the media and broadcasters exclusively focus on major party candidates. Public broadcasters, which receive viewership fees from the public, along with major media outlets, diligently report on the major party candidates as if they were official government figures. There is absolutely no mention of other minor candidates who have paid the same deposit to run. The public often only knows about major party candidates and is unaware that new party or independent candidates are even running.

The same applies to so-called candidate approval rating surveys conducted by polling organizations. They arbitrarily survey and announce approval ratings only for certain major party candidates. The media then picks up and sensationalizes these results. Unless a political newcomer, like myself, has a consistent level of public popularity, they will not appear in opinion polls, nor will they be reported by the media, making it impossible for them to gain approval ratings. Therefore, it is fair to say that the media, broadcasters, and polling organizations are actively blocking the emergence of political newcomers. The provision in the Public Official Election Act allowing TV debate participation for candidates with 5% or more approval rating in opinion polls is nothing more than a formality, a mere pretense.

Some might counter that there are other ways to participate in TV debates, such as through Article 82-2, Paragraph 1, or by being recommended by a party that received 3% of the total valid votes in a proportional representation election. However, this is also not an easy task. If a candidate were to seek recommendation from a third party that meets such conditions, not their own party, they would have to find a party whose political ideals and platform align with theirs and then negotiate with them. This is by no means easy. Ultimately, the provisions in the Public Official Election Act regarding TV debate participants are tantamount to the existing major parties telling new parties, “Don’t even think about engaging in politics unless you join us.”

Article 82-2, Paragraph 2 of the same law is even more despairing for new parties. This clause concerns policy debates, which are crucial for promoting policies, but new parties are entirely denied the opportunity to participate. The regulation states:
“To allow parties to publicize their platforms and policies through broadcasting, election broadcasting debate commissions shall, from 10 days before the election day for elections due to term expiration until the day before the candidate registration period, invite representatives of parties falling under the following categories, or their designated representatives, to hold policy debates at least once a month.”

1. Parties with five or more members in the National Assembly.
2. Parties that received 3% or more of the total valid votes nationwide in the immediately preceding presidential election, proportional representation National Assembly election, or proportional representation city/provincial council election.

As such, Korea’s election laws block political newcomers and new parties from participating in broadcast debates, including TV debates, which are essential for introducing candidates and promoting policies. Major party candidates appear on broadcasts multiple times to promote themselves and their policies. In contrast, new party candidates or political newcomers can only publicize their policies through public broadcasting for a mere 10-minute speech or a 10-minute segment in a debate exclusively for minor party candidates during the election period. Even this 10-minute slot per candidate is often scheduled at times when most people are unlikely to watch. They can only promote themselves and their policies through personal campaigning, banners, posters, and public information materials. It goes without saying that these activities are quantitatively and qualitatively inferior compared to those of candidates from parties that receive election subsidies. What kind of election results can be expected from such an unfairly conducted election?

I am forced to conclude that party subsidies, disbursed within such an unfair electoral system, biased media, and arbitrary polling, are ultimately designed by established politicians to conduct realistic elections through corruption and solidify their legitimacy and vested interests. We often see cases where individuals involved in “nomination trading” – where parties prioritize party interests over national interests and sell candidate nominations – are arrested. In the current political reality of Korea, receiving a major party nomination is like a guaranteed ticket to election, so it is rumored in Yoi do political circles that many people are willing to pay for nominations. Expecting political development in such a corrupt party system and political climate is like trying to catch fish from a tree. Far from political development, I believe that political parties are the biggest link in the chain of increasing corruption among politicians. It is not at all unusual for party-affiliated lawmakers to discard their campaign promises like old shoes and break their pledges to secure future nominations.

4. The Modern Factionalism: Two-Party System and National Division

Members of the National Assembly affiliated with a party are compelled to follow party directives rather than the will of their constituents. These party-affiliated politicians compete with other parties, and there is no hope for improvement in this situation. To prevent the Korean political scene from becoming a battleground of fierce struggles, I believe that parties should be abolished, and members of the National Assembly should be elected as independents, representing their local residents and professional groups. Abolishing parties would eliminate the need for factionalism and the pretense of ideological banners, thereby preventing national division and conflict. In such a system, bills for the people and national development could be fairly proposed, and after sufficient debate and discussion, laws could be enacted that truly reflect the will of the people. This would prevent the public’s will from being ignored or distorted through the intermediate process of political parties.

Abolishing parties would lead to the enactment of laws genuinely for the people and the implementation of policies that serve the public. By eliminating parties, unnecessary budget waste could be prevented, and the saved money could be returned to the people, who are the true owners of the nation. This would prevent national division, achieve national integration, and enable members of the National Assembly to truly work for the people and the country.

The current party politics in Korea, particularly the two-party system, is largely responsible for the extreme factionalism. It is commonly believed that the establishment of a two-party system signifies political stability, moving away from the chaos caused by the proliferation of minor parties, and is generally viewed positively. This is partly true. However, even if the political chaos caused by numerous minor parties has decreased, the two-party system presents equally serious problems. At least in Korea, I believe this to be the case.

Typically, a two-party system, consisting of a conservative and a progressive party, forces the public to take sides, leading to severe division. This directly contradicts the purpose of politics, which should be to achieve national integration. Such national division is a common phenomenon in democratic nations with a two-party system. The United States and Europe are no exceptions. However, in Korea, ideological confrontation is exacerbated by regional animosity, making the national conflict and division caused by the two-party system even more severe.

Furthermore, when the ruling party fails, the opposition party seizes power, leading to completely opposing policies. This results in a lack of consistency in national policies and significant budget waste. No government can establish a long-term vision for national development. Even if a government sets long-term plans, they are often discarded and rendered meaningless when power changes hands. Moreover, Korea’s party politics has degenerated into a level of retaliatory politics beyond mere confrontation. Former leaders are repeatedly brought before political judgment immediately after handing over power, enduring public humiliation. Consequently, politicians exert all their efforts from the outset to maintain power, even if it means currying favor with the public. They are compelled to prioritize showpiece administration that yields immediate results rather than presenting long-term blueprints for national development and establishing realistic alternatives to achieve them.

Moreover, since all positions, from the president to National Assembly members, local government heads, and local council members, are elected, the two-party confrontational dynamic is reflected in every corner, from the central government down to small local units, leading to significant budget waste. All of this is funded by the taxes paid by the public and businesses. The two-party system fundamentally blocks the emergence of new policies that differ significantly from the political ideologies of the two major parties, as well as the independent entry of new party candidates into politics. It is almost impossible to enter politics without joining one of the two major parties. As mentioned earlier, running as a minor party or independent candidate makes it extremely difficult to gain votes from the public, unless one has exceptional name recognition, due to Korea’s unfair election laws and media reporting practices.

The public, even if dissatisfied with both major parties, often fears that the party they dislike more will gain more seats. Therefore, even if they favor a new party, they tend to vote for one of the two major parties, fearing that their vote for a new party would be wasted and lead to the victory of the party they dislike more. Thus, the two-party system is a political structure that makes it very difficult for individuals with new political ideas, transcending the ideologies and policies of existing parties, to enter the political arena, develop politics, and contribute to the nation. This is why political newcomers, who enter politics with dreams and passion to change society, either give up midway or quickly become similar to existing politicians. If we disregard the problems of party politics and the two-party system and continue as is, only despair awaits Korea.

5. Towards a Fairer Political Landscape: Reforming the Electoral System

First, a way to mitigate the drawbacks of the two-party system is to ensure fair elections. Fair elections should inject a new spirit into politics and ensure that individuals who genuinely work for the nation and its people are elected. Once a candidate, regardless of whether they are from a major party, all candidates should be treated fairly. The unfair practice of completely excluding minor party or independent candidates from opinion polls and media coverage, while only surveying or reporting on candidates from vested interest parties, despite all having paid the same deposit to run, must be rectified.

The current election laws and practices, which favor two-party candidates and disadvantage others in everything from candidate number assignment, TV debates, opinion polls, media coverage, various campaign activities, and election expenses, must be immediately corrected. The practice of assigning candidate numbers 1 and 2 based on the number of National Assembly members a party has is nothing more than an arbitrary principle devoid of fairness. It should be determined by drawing lots to ensure fairness. All provisions in the election law that favor major party candidates should be abolished or amended, and the pre-election system, which makes it difficult to dispel suspicions of manipulation, should be eliminated. Excellent talent can emerge from minor parties or as independents. This can prevent the harms of the two-party system and inject a new spirit into politics. As long as the harms of the two-party system persist, it is clear that national integration, political development, and further national advancement will remain distant goals for Korea, plagued by retaliatory politics and national conflict and division.

Ultimately, the party political system should be abolished. I believe that the party system should ultimately be abolished, and members of the National Assembly should be able to work according to their convictions, representing their constituents and professional groups, rather than being bound by party interests.

Vocabulary

• 정당 정치 “Jeongdang Jeongchi”: Party Politics
• 패거리 정치 “Paeggeori Jeongchi”: Factional Politics / Gang Politics
• 이전투구 “Ijeontugu”: Mud-slinging / Fierce, no-holds-barred struggle
• 정당 보조금 “Jeongdang Bojoggeum”: Party Subsidies / Political Party Funding
• 당리당략 “Dangnidangnyak”: Partisan Interests / Party-centric strategy
• 공천 장사 “Gongcheon Jangsa”: Nomination Trading / Selling of party nominations
• 양당 체제 “Plusdang Cheje”: Two-Party System
• 보복 정치 “Bobok Jeongchi”: Retaliatory Politics / Politics of Vengeance
• 정치 신인 “Jeongchi Sinin”: Political Newcomer / New entrant in politics
• 민의 “Minui”: Public Will / Will of the people

신인난세 4-4 지구상에서 가장 먼저 사라질 나라 허경영

The Nation Poised to Vanish First on Earth: Approaching the Demographic Cliff

Tags: “Demographic Crisis, Low Birth Rate, National Decline, Economic Policy, Societal Issues”

1. The Looming Crisis: Korea’s Demographic Precipice

It is with profound concern that we observe the current state of our nation and its people. While South Korea has achieved remarkable economic recovery, ranking among the top ten global economies, the future of our ethnic group is gravely imperiled by a severe national crisis. This crisis is primarily driven by an impending demographic cliff, a term signifying a drastic decline in population.

• Historical Context of Birth Rates:
  • In the 1960s, South Korea’s annual birth rate exceeded one million.
  • The 1970s saw a decline due to birth control policies, with numbers stabilizing around 700,000 until the mid-1990s.
  • The early 2000s marked a sharp acceleration in this decline.
• Policy Misinterpretations and Consequences:
  • While the 1970s birth control policies were appropriate for their time, they inadvertently fostered a societal perception that having “one or two children” was the norm. This shift in national and individual consciousness regarding childbirth became problematic.
  • The Asian Financial Crisis “IMF crisis” of the late 1990s further exacerbated the situation, becoming a major catalyst for the drastic drop in birth rates in the 2000s.
  • The crisis response, involving corporate mergers and severe restructuring demanded by the IMF, led to mass unemployment and a scarcity of job opportunities for young people. This created an unstable socio-economic environment where the future of the youth was uncertain.
• Impact on Marriage and Childbirth:
  • The challenging economic conditions made it difficult not only to have children but also to marry.
  • Even for married couples, maintaining a household often required both partners to work, further contributing to the sharp decline in birth rates.
  • Between 2000 and 2010, the annual number of births plummeted from the 700,000 range to approximately 460,000, representing a 60% reduction.
• Deepening Crisis in the 2010s:
  • From the mid-2010s, the lingering effects of the economic crisis, coupled with widening wealth inequality, persistent youth unemployment, and unresolved issues related to livelihood, marriage, childcare, and education, intensified the low birth rate trend.
  • Furthermore, the attitudes of young people towards marriage and childbirth have fundamentally changed.
• Governmental Efforts and Their Limitations:
  • Despite belated recognition of the severity of the problem, government and local authorities’ pro-natalist policies have yielded little success.
  • Instead, birth numbers continue to fall significantly each year.
  • In 2016, births were around 400,000; in 2018, 325,000; in 2019, 302,000.
  • The year 2020 recorded the lowest number ever at approximately 275,000, causing widespread shock.
  • While the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 played a role, the consistent and significant decline over the years indicates that the pandemic alone cannot be blamed.
  • More alarmingly, the number of births in 2020 was lower than the number of deaths, marking the first instance of natural population decrease in South Korea’s demographic history.
• Fertility Rate Decline:
  • The total fertility rate also drastically fell, reaching 0.92 in 2019, the lowest among 37 OECD member countries and the only one below 1.0.
  • In 2020, it further dropped to a record low of 0.84.
  • A fertility rate of 0.84 means that each woman of childbearing age will, on average, give birth to 0.84 children in her lifetime.
  • Considering that a couple needs to have at least 2.1 children to maintain a stable population, the demographic cliff is undeniably imminent.
• Future Implications:
  • If this trend continues, it will inevitably lead to severe economic problems in the near future, affecting the current young and middle-aged generations.
  • Ultimately, it threatens the very existence of the nation and the survival of the Korean people.
  • It is no exaggeration that global scholars rank South Korea as the second country most likely to disappear from the Earth.

2. Ineffective Policies and Misallocated Resources

Despite the continuous decline in birth rates, the government and local authorities have spent astronomical sums on pro-natalist policies, yet with little to no success.

• Massive Expenditure, Minimal Impact:
  • Over the past decade, from 2011, the government allocated a staggering 109.5 trillion Korean Won to low birth rate support.
  • In 2020 alone, this figure reached 45 trillion Korean Won.
  • Despite this immense investment, the number of births actually decreased by 10,000 annually compared to four years prior.
  • This raises critical questions: Why has the birth rate fallen despite increased spending? Where has this astronomical budget gone?
• Hypothetical Direct Distribution:
  • Considering the 275,815 newborns in the previous year, if the allocated budget were distributed directly, each newborn would receive approximately 163 million Korean Won.
  • Imagining the potential impact of such direct financial support on families highlights the current policies’ misdirection.
• The Responsibility of Leadership:
  • Those in political leadership and national governance have a responsibility to act as visionaries, deeply comprehension societal conditions, predicting the future, and formulating effective laws and policies.
  • They must possess the capability to devise and implement policies that achieve optimal results.
  • Above all, they must demonstrate a genuine sense of responsibility and mission for the nation’s and people’s future.
• Fundamental Approach to Birth Rates:
  • For population stability, a birth boom should ideally occur approximately every 20 years.
  • Following the 1958 boom, subsequent booms should have happened in 1978 and 1988.
  • However, these booms were overlooked, leading to a continuous sharp decline in births.
  • The future demographic problem is undeniably clear.
• Critique of Current Policies:
  • Current government and local authorities appear preoccupied with merely imitating existing national birth policies.
  • While their efforts are not to be entirely dismissed, it is crucial to recognize that mere imitation will not solve the problem.
  • While substantial cash payments to families with newborns could increase birth rates, local governments face budgetary constraints that make such policies difficult to implement.
• The Multifaceted Nature of the Problem:
  • The low birth rate is not a singular issue; it is a complex problem stemming from a combination of factors:
  • Employment difficulties
  • Challenges in marriage
  • Childcare burdens
  • Unstable living environments
  • Anxiety and changing societal attitudes
  • Therefore, birth policies must be part of a comprehensive strategy that addresses these interconnected issues simultaneously to be effective.
  • Simply offering money to have children will not suffice.
• Prerequisites for Effective Policy:
  • First, citizens need stable incomes to alleviate livelihood concerns.
  • Second, conditions conducive to marriage must be established.
  • Only then should support for childbirth be provided.
  • Furthermore, society must ensure that children can grow up happily, attend school, marry, and find employment without fear, making parents willing to have children.
  • Businesses also need to cooperate in this endeavor.
  • Childbirth support should be at least 10 million Korean Won; amounts in the hundreds of thousands or millions are unlikely to motivate people to have children.
  • Policymakers and implementers must consider these points to formulate effective and practical policies.

3. Obsolete Laws, Institutions, and Societal Ills

Huh kyung young has consistently advocated for the abolition of ten detrimental laws and flawed systems currently existing in South Korea.

• Ten Detrimental Laws and Systems:
  • The Kim Young-ran Act “Anti-Graft Law”
  • The Financial Real-Name System
  • The Constitutional Court
  • The College Scholastic Ability Test “CSAt” system
  • Inheritance Tax
  • Labor Unions
  • Korean Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union “JeonGyoJo”
  • The Dual Punishment System “For bribery”
  • Prisons
  • Punitive Damages
• Current State of the Nation:
  • South Korea is currently constrained by these laws and systems, which are seen as undermining the economy, politics, and education, while intensifying corruption and conflict.
  • Specifically, the Kim Young-ran Act, the Financial Real-Name System, labor unions, and inheritance tax are identified as hindering economic progress.

3.1. The Kim Young-ran Act: A Well-Intentioned but Flawed Law

The official name of the Kim Young-ran Act is the Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Receipt of Money and Valuables. Enacted on September 28, 2016, it is commonly known as the Kim Young-ran Act because it was proposed in 2012 by then-Chairperson Kim Young-ran of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission to establish discipline in public service.

• Scope and Intent:
  • Initially intended to prevent illicit financial gains by public officials, its scope was expanded during the legislative process to include journalists and private school faculty.
  • While the law aimed to eradicate corruption, a noble objective, it has excessively rigidified society and negatively impacted the economy.
• Negative Consequences:
  • It is well-known that industries such as restaurants and small businesses suffered significant blows due to its implementation.
  • Despite subsequent revisions, such as raising the gift limit for agricultural and fishery products, the law continues to create psychological burdens for both givers and receivers, even for simple gifts like those for promotions or condolences.
• Ineffectiveness Against True Corruption:
  • True corruption, such as bribery, cannot be effectively prevented by this law.
  • Bribery can still occur discreetly, regardless of such regulations.
  • Moreover, the dual punishment system, which equally penalizes both the giver and receiver of a bribe, paradoxically makes it easier for recipients to accept bribes with a sense of security.
  • To genuinely eliminate corruption and illicit financial transactions, the dual punishment system should be abolished, and only the recipient of the bribe should be punished. This approach would naturally deter bribery, unlike the Kim Young-ran Act.
• Erosion of Social Bonds:
  • The Kim Young-ran Act, by restricting the natural exchange of gifts and courtesies, merely makes society colder and stifles the economy.
  • Both the Kim Young-ran Act and the dual punishment system should be abolished without delay.

3.2. The Financial Real-Name System: Undermining Human Nature and Economy

The Financial Real-Name System was abruptly implemented on August 12, 1993, by presidential emergency decree under former President Kim Young-sam.

• Key Provisions:
  • It prohibited withdrawals from non-real-name accounts.
  • Withdrawals exceeding 30 million Korean Won triggered notification to the National Tax Service and an investigation into the source of funds.
  • Financial institutions were mandated to convert accounts to real-name accounts within two months of the system’s implementation.
• Unintended Consequences:
  • Despite the emergency decree, real-name conversions by depositors were very low due to fears of tax investigations. Subsequent measures, including one that exempted withdrawals over 30 million Korean Won from tax investigations, were introduced.
  • The system led to significant capital outflow, including foreign currency, to countries like China and North Korea, as people sought to avoid scrutiny.
• Perceived Benefits and Real Drawbacks:
  • From the government’s perspective, the Financial Real-Name System increased tax revenue and streamlined tax administration.
  • However, it also caused adverse effects such as capital flight, a surge in real estate prices, and an increase in underground economic activities.
  • Ultimately, these factors contributed to the 1997 national bankruptcy crisis “IMF crisis”.
• Against Human Nature:
  • Money inherently possesses a “hidden” quality.
  • Just as spouses often keep secret emergency funds, it is a natural human tendency for individuals to keep some money hidden for future use.
  • The Financial Real-Name System goes against this fundamental human nature.
  • It compels money that people wish to keep hidden to either go underground as cash or be moved abroad through various means.
  • The discovery of illegal gambling funds hidden in garlic fields is a real-world example of this phenomenon.
• Alternative Approach:
  • If anonymous accounts were permitted, there would be no reason for money to go underground or be transferred abroad.
  • Instead, it would circulate actively within the domestic economy, contributing to economic revitalization.
  • Therefore, the Financial Real-Name System, which contradicts human nature and stifles the economy, should be abolished.

3.3. The Constitutional Court: A Superfluous Institution

The Constitutional Court is an unnecessary “roof on top of a roof” institution.

• Redundant Functions:
  • Most of the functions performed by the Constitutional Court can be adequately handled by the Supreme Court.
  • By amending the constitution to abolish the Constitutional Court and transferring its powers to the Supreme Court, unnecessary institutional redundancy can be eliminated.
  • Maintaining superfluous institutions and systems constitutes a waste of public funds.

4. Gandhi’s Seven Social Sins and Korea’s Seven Elements of National Decline

Mahatma Gandhi, a revered political figure, identified seven social evils. Huh kyung young asserts that South Korea embodies all seven of these evils.

• Korea’s Seven Elements of National Decline, based on Gandhi’s Seven Social Sins:
  • Politics without Principle
  • Pleasure without Conscience
  • Wealth without Work
  • Education without Character
  • Economy without Morality
  • Religion without Sacrifice
  • Science without Humanity “or without Concern for Environment”

4.1. Politics without Principle

The first element of national decline is politics without principle.

• Lack of Guiding Principles:
  • Korean politics lacks principles and rules.
  • The National Assembly often resembles a chaotic marketplace, characterized by inconsistency, partisan self-interest, and factionalism.
  • The self-serving interests of political parties cannot serve as a true principle.
• True Political Principle:
  • The fundamental purpose of politics should be the welfare and co-prosperity of the people, not partisan interests.
  • Politics must be guided by the principle of ensuring a good life for all citizens.
• Global Implications:
  • This lack of principle extends to global politics, where nations prioritize their own interests, akin to China’s disregard for other nations regarding fine dust pollution.
  • The principle of co-existence and co-prosperity among nations must be established globally.
  • If nations only pursue self-interest, the world will become a battlefield, leading to irreparable destruction of international relations.

4.2. Pleasure without Conscience

The second element of national decline is pleasure without conscience.

• Disregard for the Suffering:
  • Despite South Korea’s economic prosperity and social welfare systems, many citizens still struggle with livelihood concerns and are burdened by debt.
  • The tragic case of the “three impoverished sisters” who chose suicide after being excluded from basic livelihood support remains a vivid memory.
  • When countless people starve or wander aimlessly across the globe, it is unconscionable to spend millions on lavish entertainment or luxurious world travels for personal pleasure.
• Conscientious Pleasure:
  • If one travels the world, they should visit areas where people live in hardship and offer compassion.
  • If one plays golf, they should dedicate time to serving less fortunate neighbors. Such actions would constitute true pleasure.

4.3. Wealth without Work

The third element of national decline is wealth without work.

• Examples of Unearned Wealth:
  • This includes wealth acquired through corruption by politicians and public officials, easy money gained through collusion with them, and real estate speculation by the wealthy.
  • However, the “get-rich-quick” mentality is not limited to the elite; it is pervasive throughout Korean society.
  • This includes speculative stock trading, “morning trading” and excessive cryptocurrency investments aimed at quick profits.
• Societal Consequences:
  • When a “get-rich-quick” mentality, prioritizing easy gains over honest work, becomes widespread, it creates severe social problems.
  • Many people lose money and fall into despair, while those who work diligently lose motivation and may even be drawn into the same speculative mindset, leading to a sick society.

4.4. Education without Character

The fourth element of national decline is education without character.

• Failure of Education Policy:
  • South Korea’s education system is considered a complete failure.
  • Those who planned and implemented these education policies deserve accountability.
  • They have damaged the character of children and are jeopardizing the nation’s future.
• Impact on Youth:
  • In the relentless competition of the “entrance exam hell” students learn that they must trample others to succeed, leading to individuals who are ill-equipped for communal living and are self-centered.
  • It has become commonplace to see young people ignore the elderly standing on subways or buses, keeping their heads down.
• Breakdown of Family and Teacher Authority:
  • Family education is also in disarray.
  • Parents now reprimand teachers for disciplining their children.
  • This societal trend is fueled by immediate gratification and pleasure.

4.5. Economy without Morality

The fifth element of national decline is economy without morality.

• Definition of Economy:
  • Economy involves the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services necessary for society.
  • Production, pricing, distribution, and allocation must adhere to ethical standards and fair rules.
• Moral Lapses in the Economy:
  • However, Korean society frequently witnesses unethical and unfair practices:
  • Production of illegal goods and pharmaceuticals.
  • Manipulation and concealment of product performance.
  • Environmental pollution during production.
  • Corporate collusion, insider trading, and unfair dealings with subcontractors in pricing and transactions.
  • The banking sector’s capital allocation methods have also exacerbated extreme wealth inequality.
• Addressing Inequality:
  • The state must intervene to adjust and restore fairness in the face of extreme wealth disparity.
  • Wealth accumulation is only possible because the wealthy are supported by the majority.
  • They also provide employment, consume goods, or benefit from the sacrifices of others in competitive markets.
  • Therefore, the state or society must ensure a certain level of support for the less fortunate to reduce the wealth gap.
  • However, Korean society’s systems primarily benefit the privileged, and wealth inequality continues to widen, leading to a prolonged loss of distributive justice.

4.6. Religion without Sacrifice

The sixth element of national decline is religion without sacrifice.

• Essence of Religion:
  • The true essence of religion is sacrifice and service to society.
  • While each religion has its teachings and beliefs, their core message is fundamentally about caring for neighbors, giving to others, and living in mutual love.
• Deviation from Core Principles:
  • However, contemporary religions often seem to have forgotten these teachings, focusing instead on expanding their influence and membership.
  • While many religious leaders live lives of poverty, dedication, and service amidst difficulties, it is undeniable that some religious organizations operate as businesses, prioritizing financial gain.
  • Such religions have lost their true essence.
• Biblical and Buddhist Teachings:
  • One should reflect on Jesus’ words in the Bible: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
  • Similarly, in Buddhism, Manjusri Bodhisattva is said to have appeared as a leper to test devotees.
  • Caring for the poor and sick, and comforting those in society’s shadows, should be religion’s foremost duty.
  • A religion that fails to fulfill this role has lost its reason for existence.

4.7. Science without Humanity

The seventh element of national decline is science without humanity, or science that disregards the environment.

• Environmental Impact of Unchecked Science:
  • It is well-known that scientific and technological advancements that disregard the environment have caused harm to the entire world and humanity since the late 19th century, sickening the Earth.
  • Pollution resulting from the use of science and technology without environmental consideration contaminates the air, soil, and water, ultimately returning to harm humans.
• Global Nature of Environmental Issues:
  • Environmental pollution cannot be contained within a single region or nation.
  • Water and air circulate globally.
  • It is crucial to remember that science without environmental consciousness can extend beyond national borders, affecting neighboring countries and the entire world, potentially destroying the Earth itself.

Vocabulary

• 난세 “亂世”: Era of Chaos / Troubled Times
• 인구 절벽 “HumanMouth絶壁”: Demographic Cliff
• 산아제한 정책 “産兒制限Politics策”: Birth Control Policy
• 외환 위기 “外換危機”: Foreign Exchange Crisis
• IMF 사태 “IMFMatter態”: IMF Crisis “Asian Financial Crisis”
• 부익부 빈익빈 “富Benefit富PovertyBenefitPoverty”: Widening Wealth Inequality / Rich-get-richer, poor-get-poorer
• 출산 장려 정책 “出産奬勵Politics策”: Pro-natalist Policy / Birth Encouragement Policy
• 자연 감소 “Self然減少”: Natural Decrease “in population”
• 천문학적 “HeavenLiteratureStudy的”: Astronomical “amount”
• 한탕주의 “一攫ThousandMetal主Righteousness”: Get-Rich-Quick Mentality / Speculative Mindset

신인난세 4-5 절대 해서는 안 되는 내각제 개헌 허경영

The Perilous Path of a Cabinet System Constitutional Amendment

Tags: “Huh kyung young, Cabinet System, Presidential System, Constitutional Amendment, Political Power, National Security, Leadership”

1. The Entrenchment of Political Power: A Critique of the Cabinet System Amendment

The discourse surrounding a constitutional amendment to transition from a presidential system to a cabinet system is increasingly prevalent within political circles. This proposed change, however, appears to be driven by ulterior motives rather than a genuine concern for the welfare of the populace. While politicians should prioritize developing legislation and policies to alleviate the hardships faced by citizens, their continued discussions about “imperial presidency” and “power distribution resistance” reveal a singular focus on solidifying their own vested interests and expanding their authority. It is undeniable that under a cabinet system, the National Assembly, as the legislative body, would seize administrative power, thereby governing the nation at will and perpetuating its influence indefinitely.

Currently, the legislative power of the National Assembly already surpasses that of the executive branch. The process of parliamentary hearings, ostensibly for vetting candidates, often undermines the authority of the appointing president. When the opposition party holds a majority in the National Assembly, passing even a single bill proposed by the president becomes an arduous task. This situation hardly reflects an “imperial presidency”; rather, it points to an “imperial National Assembly”. Therefore, the push for a cabinet system amendment, under the guise of preventing presidential dictatorship, is nothing more than a manifestation of politicians’ collective lust for power.

2. The Impediments to Effective Governance: Overreach of Legislative Scrutiny

I contend that the President, as the head of the executive branch, should have the unhindered ability to appoint individuals to positions such as prime minister or cabinet ministers without the need for parliamentary hearings. In a presidential system, the President bears full responsibility for national affairs. It is astonishing that the President is held accountable for national issues even when unable to properly appoint desired individuals to key ministerial roles due to excessive scrutiny. While some may argue that the National Assembly’s role in vetting government appointees is a legitimate check on the executive, I believe it transcends mere oversight. This constitutes an excessive interference in the President’s agenda. It deviates from the purpose of the separation of powers, leading to the legislative branch’s unchecked dominance and an imbalance of power.

Even if the National Assembly opposes an appointment, the President’s decision can still stand, and this might seem unproblematic. However, the parliamentary hearing process often delves into the moral character of candidates, even exposing details about their families, leaving both the candidate and their family utterly devastated. This ordeal not only damages the candidate but also erodes the trust placed in the appointing President. Consequently, many qualified individuals are reluctant to accept appointments, fearing such public humiliation. In a system where the National Assembly’s excessive interference prevents the President from effectively appointing even a single person, it is truly absurd to advocate for a cabinet system amendment under the pretext of an “imperial presidency”. It is evident to anyone that the term “imperial” more accurately describes the National Assembly, not the President.

3. Historical Precedents and the Unsuitability of the Cabinet System for Korea

The origins of the cabinet system can be traced back to England. Following the death of Queen Anne of the Stuart dynasty without an heir, George I of the House of Hanover, who had German roots, ascended to the throne. As he could not speak English, the cabinet began to govern, establishing the principle that the monarch reigns but does not rule. This historical context led to the development of the cabinet system, where effective governance became impossible without the cabinet aligning with the ruling party. To propose introducing such a system, born from these specific circumstances, into a nation like ours, which already has a President capable of forming a cabinet and leading the country without issue, is merely an expression of politicians’ self-serving ambitions.

Our nation has previously experimented with a cabinet system. When President Syngman Rhee resigned due to responsibility for election fraud, a law was enacted to elect the President and Vice President through a joint committee of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, who would then appoint the Prime Minister to form the cabinet. In this system, the President was merely the head of state and a symbolic representative, while administrative power was concentrated in the Prime Minister, who was chosen by the House of Representatives. Thus, Yoon Bo-seon was elected President and Chang Myon as Prime Minister by the joint committee of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, forming the cabinet. However, it is a well-known fact that the nation was plunged into considerable chaos during that period.

4. The Imperative of Strong Leadership in a Divided Nation

As a divided nation, South Korea faces constant security threats. To our north, North Korea poses a continuous threat, while the United States and China are engaged in a struggle for hegemony, and Japan to our east also presents potential risks. Therefore, our nation requires a system equipped with strong leadership capable of navigating these challenges. A cabinet system, lacking a powerful central figure, could lead to national crises being mishandled during times requiring strong and swift leadership. There is even a risk of the nation falling under communist control.

In countries with a monarch, such as Japan or the United Kingdom, a cabinet system may function without significant issues. The presence of a monarch prevents situations where the cabinet might dither and fail to make timely decisions during problems. However, in a cabinet system without a monarch, a nation could face severe crises if decisions are delayed due to the need for consensus among multiple parties during emergencies. In a presidential system, there must be a single focal point of power. Power should be concentrated in the President; attempts to dilute this authority are problematic. When a nation is led by strong leadership centered around a single focal point, it achieves stability, effectively responds to crises, and can react more swiftly to rapidly changing international circumstances.

Politicians who disregard the nation and its people, focusing solely on maintaining and expanding their own power by advocating for a shift to a cabinet system, must come to their senses. The public has little interest in whether the system is presidential or parliamentary. Citizens simply desire solutions to their hardships and the development of the nation.

Vocabulary

• 내각제 개헌 “Naegakje Gaeheon”: Cabinet System Constitutional Amendment
• 정치 기득권 세력 “Jeongchi Gideukgwon Seryeok”: Entrenched Political Power/Vested Political Interests
• 제왕적 대통령 “Jewangjeok Daetongnyeong”: Imperial Presidency
• 권력 분점 저항 “Gwollyeok Bunjeom Jeohang”: Resistance to Power Distribution
• 입법 기관 “Ipbeop Gigwan”: Legislative Body
• 행정권 “Haengjeonggwon”: Administrative Power
• 국회 청문회 “Gukhoe Cheongmunhoe”: Parliamentary Hearing
• 권력 분립 “Gwollyeok Bunrip”: Separation of Powers
• 구심점 “Gusimjeom”: Central Point/Focal Point
• 적화 “Jeokhwa”: Communization

신인난세 5-1 중산주의가 대안이다! 허경영

The Hero of a Troubled Era, Huh kyung young: Middle-Class Centricism as the Alternative

Tags: “Huh kyung young, Middle-Class Centricism, Capitalism, Communism, ESG”

1. The Illusion of Gradual Progress and the Urgent Need for Radical Change

Many believe in the concept of gradual development, yet they also perceive that our politics and society are heading towards greater turmoil. Is this truly the case? Has our political landscape genuinely progressed, and has society steadily improved? I pose this question to them: Is there even a slight possibility that the lives of the people will improve under the current political climate? And are there truly incremental methods to resolve the ever-deepening wealth disparity and achieve a fair and equitable society? I can unequivocally state that such methods do not exist. To achieve a just and equitable society, there is no path other than to completely redraw the framework through innovative and transformative reforms.

2. Capitalism Transformed into a Monster: The Inherent Flaws of Wealth Disparity

Middle-class centricism is the viable alternative. Our nation’s material revolution, often referred to as the “Miracle on the Han River” brought about remarkable economic development and an abundance of prosperity. As industrialization advanced further, the overall wealth of the nation expanded, and people’s lives changed dramatically. However, capitalism is inherently a system designed to create a cycle where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. In a free market economy driven by limitless competition, there will inevitably be those who earn a great deal of money and those who do not. Those who accumulate substantial wealth then invest it to generate even greater fortunes. As this cycle repeats, the disparity widens immensely, eventually leading to a structure where the wealthy easily monopolize most of the nation’s assets.

During periods of rapid industrial growth, there are ample opportunities for many to accumulate wealth, leading to the formation of a middle class with a certain level of economic power. However, as industries mature, wealth becomes highly concentrated in corporations possessing advanced technology and immense capital, resulting in the weakening of the middle class and the intensification of polarization. This phenomenon is not unique to Korea but is a global trend. According to a report from the 2016 Davos Forum, the wealthiest 1% of the population holds over 50% of the world’s wealth. The difference in wealth growth rates showed that while the wealth of this 1% increased by 224 trillion Korean Won, the wealth of the remaining population increased by only 4 trillion Korean Won.

A 2015 statistic revealed that in Korea, 10% of the population possesses over 66% of the nation’s total wealth. A few years ago, the term “Hell Joseon” became popular in Korea. “Hell Joseon” signifies a Korea that is like a hopeless hell. In a survey asking why people felt it was “Hell Joseon” over 60% cited wealth disparity and imbalance, symbolized by terms like “gold spoon” and “silver spoon” as the reason. Has the “Hell Joseon” situation improved since then? Far from it, it is a well-known fact that the despair of the homeless common people, including the younger generation, has only deepened due to extreme polarization and skyrocketing real estate prices.

Capitalism is an economic system primarily dominated by capital, where goods are produced to acquire profit based on the private property system. Individualism and egoism are fundamental to this system, with a free market economy, free from state control, forming its foundation. The advantages of capitalism include respecting individual freedom, recognizing private property, allowing free economic activities, thereby increasing productivity, and favoring stock value. However, capitalism faces significant issues such as recurring economic recessions and booms, and the severe problem of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, as previously mentioned.

In Korea, the wealth disparity has deepened with the collapse of the middle class following the IMF crisis. As the Fourth Industrial Revolution accelerates, wealth disparity will intensify further, leading to an extreme polarization of wealth that is incomparable to the present, and this cannot be prevented. This could cause severe social instability. If the current capitalism combines with the Fourth Industrial Revolution without any modifications, it is no exaggeration to say that immense social conflict and even war are foretold between the few who possess advanced technology and the majority who do not. We must recognize that we are currently confronting a monstrous form of capitalism that could plunge society into extreme chaos.

3. The Failure of Communism: A System Ignoring Human Nature

Failed communism, communism is an ideology that sought to eliminate wealth disparity by rejecting the private property system and realizing a common ownership system. It posited that laborers remained poor despite working diligently because capitalists exploited the wealth that rightfully belonged to them. Therefore, it advocated for abolishing all private property, prioritizing labor, and collectively managing production and distribution. The founder of this ideology was Karl Marx of Germany, and it is also known as Marxism-Leninism, named after four thinkers.

Lenin of the former Soviet Union initiated the April Revolution in Russia in the early 20th century, establishing the first communist state. Subsequently, communist regimes were established in Eastern Europe, China, the Indochina Peninsula, and even North Korea. Communists predicted that, with the progression of history, capitalism would eventually disappear from the Earth, and a communist society would emerge. However, communism disregarded human free will and egoistic tendencies, and by not recognizing the private property system, it led to a decline in work ethic and stagnation in technological development, resulting in widespread poverty for everyone.

Ultimately, in the 1990s, the Soviet Union, the birthplace of communism, collapsed. Following this, Eastern Bloc communist nations also abandoned the communist system and adopted free market economic systems, leading to their downfall. Even China, while maintaining a socialist political system, already operates its economy under a capitalist system. Although it was predicted that capitalism would fail, communism collapsed first. The communist system, established through much bloodshed under the banner of overthrowing the capitalist class and building an egalitarian world, later formed a vested interest group of communist party officials and an absolute ruling class. This led to the contradictory situation where a minority of communist party officials reigned over the vast majority of the populace, monopolizing power and wealth.

4. Fundamental Transformation: Middle-Class Centricism as the Path

Fundamental change, middle-class centricism is the way. Capitalism, which believed in the existence of an invisible hand of the market that would ensure economic prosperity even without government intervention, faced a major crisis with the Great Depression just before World War II. This crisis led to the emergence of Keynesianism, or modified capitalism, where the state intervened in the market. It is well-known that U.S. President Roosevelt adopted Keynes’s ideas and overcame the economic crisis with the New Deal policy, which aimed to create effective demand.

In Europe, including the United Kingdom, welfare capitalism developed under the slogan “From cradle to grave” where the state pursued welfare policies to address the problems of capitalism. However, the UK eventually suffered from chronic fiscal deficits due to excessive welfare spending, losing economic vitality. To make matters worse, it faced an economic crisis with stagflation caused by the oil shock in the early 1970s. Consequently, welfare policies were drastically reduced with the advent of the Thatcher government, which adopted a Hayekian neoliberal system that curtailed the role of government and strengthened market functions.

Korea, too, under President Kim Dae-jung, accepted the demands of the IMF and a Thatcherite approach, implementing privatization policies and corporate restructuring to overcome the IMF crisis that had occurred during the previous Kim Young-sam administration. However, during this process, many companies went bankrupt or were acquired by foreign capital, leading to mass unemployment and the collapse of the middle class. The inherent limitation of capitalism, the phenomenon of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, is worsening day by day with the advancement of industry.

The conclusion is that neither Keynesian modified capitalism nor British-style welfare capitalism has been able to solve the problems of capitalism. Keynesian modified capitalism was more a means to maintain capitalism by preserving the status quo economy rather than a solution for wealth disparity. Welfare capitalism, on the other hand, failed because it relied solely on tax increases to secure welfare funds without efficient means to develop the national economy and expand the pie, leading to economic stagnation, insufficient tax revenue, and chronic fiscal deficits.

The problems of capitalism, which no ideology has solved until now, can be resolved through middle-class centricism. The middle-class centricism I have devised is a system that institutionally enables 99% of the population to become middle class, differing fundamentally from Keynesian modified capitalism or British-style welfare capitalism. Middle-class centricism can simultaneously achieve both clear growth and equitable distribution. The specific implementation plans are the various measures mentioned earlier. When all these myriad methods are implemented, they will operate as a perfect system that allows for simultaneous distribution and growth according to its mechanism.

This will not only reduce wealth disparity, leading to a socially fair and equitable society, but also significantly increase the existential success rate. This is something that even Keynesianism could not resolve. The vicious cycle where focusing on growth creates distribution problems and widens the happiness gap, while focusing on distribution slows growth, can be perfectly resolved by middle-class centricism. Middle-class centricism, enabled by extensive welfare systems, resolves initial handicaps, prevents further problems from arising, maximizes the advantages of capitalism such as productivity, and provides a complete solution for capitalism by addressing the small cracks of wealth disparity.

Furthermore, middle-class centricism can be considered the ultimate culmination of national welfare. The failed dream of the welfare state, which sought to make citizens’ lives happy through welfare policies encompassing their entire lives, from birth to death, can be perfectly realized at a level even beyond what it envisioned, if middle-class centricism is pursued. Middle-class centricism is a groundbreaking solution that perfectly resolves the chronic problem of wealth disparity within capitalism and can be proudly claimed as the pinnacle of welfare.

5. The Republic of Korea as an ESG-Compliant Future Corporation

In recent times, ESG, which stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, has become an important consideration for corporations. This means that investors, when deciding whether to invest in a company, consider non-financial factors like ESG alongside financial elements. They believe that a company’s governance structure and its impact on the environment and society are crucial variables for its long-term survival. When investors consider a company’s ESG performance in addition to financial indicators, it can incentivize companies to act in the best interests of society. It is a desirable direction to use performance reflecting environmental, social, and ethical values as key indicators when evaluating companies.

I believe that a nation can be defined as a stock company formed by a contract with its citizens. The Republic of Korea is becoming the Republic of Korea Stock Company. The Republic of Korea Stock Company can be seen as a colossal enterprise where all citizens are shareholders. However, it is not a traditional company focused solely on profit, but rather one that prioritizes the desirable structure of society and the environment, aligning with the future society. The Republic of Korea Stock Company will not only take the lead in restoring and maintaining the environment through eco-friendly and mutually beneficial measures but also fulfill its social responsibility by ensuring that all citizens can live a middle-class or higher lifestyle.

Moreover, all public officials, including the nation’s highest leader, the President, will work diligently as employees of the company for the shareholders, the citizens. The citizens, as shareholders, will take ownership and pay attention to the operation of the Republic of Korea, checking for wasted budgets, unnecessary projects, or any other problems. In essence, this structure is an ideal one where all shareholders are owners. The Republic of Korea Stock Company, pursuing middle-class centricism, is more eco-friendly and possesses higher social and ethical values than any other company in the world. It is the most desirable company where all citizens are shareholders and true owners.

The Republic of Korea Stock Company, perfectly equipped with ESG, is a future-oriented and eco-friendly enterprise that perfectly matches the ideal image of a future company most preferred by investors today. It is the best company characterized by fulfilling its social responsibilities and having an ideal governance structure.

Vocabulary

• 난세 “亂世”: Troubled Era
• 중산주의 “Middle産主Righteousness”: Middle-Class Centricism
• 부익부 빈익빈 “富Benefit富 PovertyBenefitPoverty”: The Rich Get Richer, the Poor Get Poorer
• 양극화 “兩Extreme, DuodecillionTransform”: Polarization
• 사유재산 “Private有財産”: Private Property
• 공산주의 “共産主Righteousness”: Communism
• 수정 자본주의 “CultivateRight資本主Righteousness”: Modified Capitalism
• 복지 자본주의 “福祉資本主Righteousness”: Welfare Capitalism
• 재정 적자 “財Politics赤字”: Fiscal Deficit
• ESG: Environmental, Social, Governance

신인난세 5-2 차별도 역차별도 없어야 허경영

The Vision of Huh kyung young: Equality Beyond Discrimination

1. The Principle of Non-Discrimination and Non-Reverse Discrimination

Hoh Gung Yeong advocates for a society free from both discrimination and reverse discrimination. He proposes the immediate abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and related gender-sensitive budgets. This stance might lead some to mistakenly label him as a male chauvinist or someone who demeans women. However, this is far from the truth. He has long held the conviction that spouses should be in an equal relationship, that all individuals, regardless of gender, deserve fair treatment, and that women should not face discrimination.

2. Financial Security for Women: The Dividend System

Hoh Gung Yeong’s proposals, such as the dividend system “a fixed monthly payment sufficient for living expenses”, are primarily designed with women in mind. He recalls witnessing the arduous lives of neighborhood women in his youth, toiling day and night from drawing water at dawn to preparing meals for large families, assisting with farm work, and even threshing rice late into the night. This experience instilled in him a desire to alleviate their burdens when he grew older.

Even today, women predominantly manage household finances. When a husband faces unemployment or business failure, the household immediately confronts significant financial hardship. Even if the wife earns money to address immediate needs, it is often insufficient to maintain their previous standard of living. While the husband also suffers, it is the wife who directly experiences the immediate financial strain.

With a fixed monthly payment, such as 3 million Korean Won, even if the husband involuntarily loses his job or his business fails, the family would not have to worry about food or children’s tuition fees, though it might not be a lavish lifestyle. Furthermore, this money would be protected from seizure by the state, banks, or creditors. This system, providing a stable monthly income, is fundamentally designed to alleviate the anxiety and stress of women managing household finances, allowing them to manage the family economy with peace of mind.

3. The Equality of Spouses: A Philosophical Perspective

Hoh Gung Yeong recounts being reprimanded by his teacher in his youth for questioning the characters of the word “couple” “부부, “bu-bu””. He argued that if “husband” “夫, “bu”” was depicted broadly, why was “wife” “婦, “bu”” shown holding a broom, implying a cleaning woman, suggesting an imbalance. Despite being disciplined for this, his belief in the equal relationship between spouses remains unchanged.

He explains that the Chinese characters for “couple” “夫婦” symbolically place the sun and moon side by side. The sun, active during the day, symbolizes the man, and the moon, appearing at night, symbolizes the woman. When the sun and moon are placed together, they form the character for “brightness” “Light, “myeong””. If either were placed above or below the other, “brightness” could not be formed. Just as “brightness” requires the sun and moon to be side by side, a family becomes bright when spouses are in an equal relationship.

While the daytime sun might seem brighter than the nighttime moon, this perspective changes when considering the vastness of the distant sky filled with stars, making the night appear far brighter. Just as the sun, moon, and brilliant stars illuminate day and night, a family thrives with harmony and unity when men and women form an equal relationship, respecting and harmonizing with each other, rather than being in a hierarchical one.

4. Reinterpreting Traditional Values: The Three Bonds and Five Moral Rules

Hoh Gung Yeong has also pointed out flaws in the traditional Confucian Three Bonds and Five Moral Rules “삼강오륜, “samgang-oryun””. The Three Bonds “삼강, “samgang”” dictate that the ruler is the guide for the subject, the husband for the wife, and parents for children. He argues that the principle of “distinction between husband and wife” “부부유별, “bu-bu-yu-byeol”” implicitly suggests a hierarchy. He asserts that spouses are equals, and any notion of one being superior to the other is problematic.

The term “distinction” “별, “byeol”” in “bu-bu-yu-byeol” refers to a hierarchical relationship, implying that there are roles that spouses cannot cross. However, he that spouses are in an equal relationship, not one with superiority or inferiority. Therefore, it is contradictory to state that “bu-bu-yu-byeol” implies no hierarchy while the Three Bonds express a hierarchical relationship between husband and wife.

Husbands and wives are naturally peers. They possess different biological conditions as male and female. It is unreasonable to expect a husband to bear children or a wife to perform tasks requiring great physical strength. Traditionally, husbands primarily earned income outside the home, while wives managed household affairs and raised children. This is a natural division of roles and should not be viewed as discrimination.

5. The Cosmic Principle of Minus and Plus and Gender Roles

The universe operates on the principle of Minus and Plus and the Five Elements “음양오행, “eumyang-ohaeng””, and humans are no exception. Biologically, men and women are created differently. Just as the sun and moon, as seen in the character for “brightness” represent Minus and Plus while being equal, they have distinct appearances. The sun is active during the bright day and sets, while the moon is active at night.

If the sun and moon are likened to parents, the Earth can be compared to their child. The sun consistently illuminates the Earth, and the moon also plays its part. The moon, with its constant changes, moves the Earth’s tides, keeping the oceans alive, and regulates the biological rhythms of Earth’s life forms, enabling them to survive. Through these distinct roles, the sun and moon create harmony, sustaining the Earth as a living entity and allowing its diverse life forms to thrive.

Spatially, the sun works from a distance, and the moon works from nearby, together creating an optimal environment for Earth. From Earth, the sun and moon appear to be of similar size. This principle applies directly to human society.

A husband’s primary sphere of activity is outside the home. He can be active and assertive in the external world. However, once he enters the home, authority rests with his wife. The home is the wife’s domain. A stable and harmonious household depends on the wife’s comfort and the mother’s stability. This means the wife, not the husband, is the center of the family. A husband who tries to dominate his wife or raise his voice at home is an inadequate husband. Conversely, a wife also needs the wisdom to uphold her husband’s dignity when outside the home. This is not a matter of equality but a natural principle of achieving harmony between spouses to build a happy family. Just as the sun and moon appear similar in size from Earth, parents are perceived with similar importance by their children.

6. Gender Roles in Society: Beyond Domestic Distinctions

The distinction between husband and wife refers to their roles within the family, not their roles in society. It goes without saying that both men and women can participate in social life, and there should be no restrictions on their roles or positions. Women, based on their abilities, can attain high positions in organizations and should not face limitations in their work. The Republic of Korea is a nation where the equal rights of all citizens are guaranteed, and freedom of occupation is ensured.

7. The Problem with Gender-Specific Policies: Fairness and Equality

Policies aimed at gender equality that inadvertently create gender discrimination, such as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and gender-sensitive budgets, are fundamentally issues of fairness and impartiality. Just as women should not be discriminated against, other genders should not face discrimination simply because they are not women. The fundamental principle for a healthy society is fairness.

The Korean Constitution, in Articles 10 and 11, Paragraph 1, explicitly states that all citizens are equal before the law and shall not be discriminated against in any sphere of political, economic, social, or cultural life on account of gender, religion, or social status. Therefore, establishing a Ministry of Gender Equality and Family or allocating gender-sensitive budgets can be seen as discriminating against genders other than women. Emphasizing only one side among two genders can lead to disadvantages for the other side and inevitably provoke backlash.

If something is genuinely necessary for women, there is no need to specifically mention gender-sensitive budgets; the relevant department should simply allocate and execute the budget. For example, if it is determined that women’s restrooms need more stalls than men’s restrooms, that should be done. However, there is no reason to specifically designate such obvious needs as “gender-sensitive budgets”.

8. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family: A Violation of Rights

The continued existence of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family infringes upon citizens’ rights to equality and freedom. Government ministries should not be designed to exclusively benefit only one group. If there is a Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, then it would be more consistent to also establish a Ministry of Men and a Ministry of Children. The very existence of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family violates the principles of gender equality and the freedom to live freely.

Democracy is founded on three major principles: the pursuit of happiness, human dignity, and absolute impartiality. The existence of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family contradicts all these principles. It goes against the principle of absolute impartiality, which dictates that all citizens must receive absolutely fair treatment, and the principle that all humans, regardless of gender, should be able to pursue their dignity and happiness. The state must not infringe upon or violate the rights of citizens and the principles of democracy enshrined in the Constitution.

9. Inappropriateness of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s Status

Another reason for abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is that establishing a central government agency on par with the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Interior and Safety for the protection of women’s rights is inappropriate. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is a central administrative agency headed by a minister. Other central administrative agencies include the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Interior and Safety, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Health and Welfare, all of which serve the entire nation.

Although the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family recently changed its name to the Ministry of Gender Equality, Family, and Youth and now handles family and youth issues, it is still not suitable as a central agency given that it excludes men, who constitute half of the population. It is natural for the state to show great concern for issues faced by women as social minorities, such as domestic violence or sexual violence, and to formulate countermeasures, and it is also natural to strive for women’s welfare and rights. However, these issues are not new; they were originally handled by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and fall under its policy scope. There is no reason to create a separate, inappropriately positioned central agency like the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, wasting budget and causing social conflict. Abolishing the current Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and establishing a dedicated department within the Ministry of Health and Welfare would be sufficient.

10. The Need for Balanced Policies for Social Integration

People are naturally sensitive to discrimination. In the past, many daughters suffered severe neglect from their families in childhood, which left lasting scars, preventing them from fully developing and living fulfilling lives. Discrimination is deeply hurtful.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, established by the state, and national policies exclusively for women, can inflict pain on men, especially young men and adolescents. Just as past family discrimination against daughters and societal discrimination against women caused pain to women, state policies aimed at eliminating gender discrimination can inadvertently create discrimination against another gender in society. This possibility is, in fact, becoming a reality. This is evident from the rampant expressions of overt hostility towards the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and criticisms of women’s policies overflowing in online virtual spaces. The emotions men feel towards women’s policies and perceived discrimination have progressed beyond simple dissatisfaction to outright misogyny.

A more serious problem is that women are retaliating with misandry, escalating deep conflict between genders. State policies are fueling serious conflict between genders. While the root cause of these phenomena cannot be solely attributed to state policy failures and women’s political circles, it is undeniable that the establishment of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and biased policies have significantly contributed to this situation.

State policies are responsible for enhancing the happiness and quality of life of all citizens. Therefore, rather than focusing on specific genders, balanced policies that encompass all citizens should be pursued. In sensitive matters like gender equality, where policy targets may have conflicting positions, state policies must be even more cautious. It is crucial to maintain balance in sensitive issues where interests clash. Losing balance can lead to severe social conflict and division.

11. The Problem with Gender Quotas and Affirmative Action

It is problematic to pursue gender equality through measures such as providing subsidies to political parties that nominate more than 30% women for parliamentary elections, mandating a certain percentage of ministerial or parliamentary positions for women, or even imposing gender quotas on private companies. While acknowledging that these measures aim to change societal structures that made it difficult for women to advance to high positions, it is not an ideal approach. This should be achieved through education and social awareness rather than coercive policies. Furthermore, social advancement should ideally be based on fair competition, regardless of gender. Policies that appear to grant special privileges to one gender are likely to provoke resentment and backlash. One should recall the abolition of military service bonus points for men who fulfilled their mandatory military service, which was deemed a violation of the constitutional principle of equality. Simply imitating other countries’ quota systems is not necessarily the right approach. There is no guarantee that what other countries do is always correct.

12. The Importance of Fairness in Society

Society must be fair. If fairness is lost, dissatisfaction will inevitably arise, which can lead to social conflict and instability. Social stability and integration are self-evident necessities. Therefore, policies biased towards a specific gender are undesirable, whether from the perspective of constitutional compliance or social integration. It is certainly desirable for women to actively participate in all sectors of society, demonstrating their talents and abilities. It is also natural that there should be no gender discrimination in this regard. However, to achieve this, instead of implementing mandatory regulations like gender quotas, it is better to change people’s mindsets through education from an early age and throughout school and society. Creating mandatory regulations that can be perceived as reverse discrimination by men can cause social conflict and erode trust in communication. It must be remembered that state intervention, even with institutional privileges to eliminate discrimination, can actually infringe upon equal rights and deepen social conflict.

13. The Gender-Sensitive Budget: A Misguided Policy

Hoh Gung Yeong addresses the gender-sensitive budget “성인지 예산, “seong-inji yesan””, which is allocated for gender equality policies. He finds the very existence of such a budget puzzling and its scale astonishing. In 2020 alone, an astronomical sum of approximately 32 trillion Korean Won was executed as a gender-sensitive budget. In the same year, Korea’s defense budget was about 50 trillion Korean Won. He finds it incomprehensible that gender inequality in Korea is considered a problem as severe as national defense. The sheer magnitude of this amount can be better apprehended by comparing it to the Ministry of Justice’s budget. The Ministry of Justice plays a crucial role in upholding the nation’s laws and protecting citizens from crime, yet its budget for the same year was 3 trillion Korean Won. While some budget is certainly necessary for gender equality, he cannot comprehend the justification for spending an astronomical sum of 32 trillion Korean Won.

The gender-sensitive budget was first introduced around 2010, with an initial allocation of 7.5 trillion Korean Won. However, this budget rapidly increased year after year, reaching 31.7 trillion Korean Won in 2020. In just 10 years, it surged by more than fourfold to an astronomical amount. According to the National Assembly Budget Office’s analysis report on the 2021 gender-sensitive budget, 34.5311 trillion Korean Won was allocated for 2021, an increase of 3.2 trillion Korean Won from the previous year. At this rate, it is projected to approach 50 trillion Korean Won by 2025. He finds this simply astounding.

14. Mismanagement and Lack of Transparency in Gender-Sensitive Budget Allocation

There are further issues. While the gender-sensitive budget is categorized by item, it is unclear how and where the money is actually spent. For example, in 2020, the Ministry of Science and ICT received 246.8 billion Korean Won for “Fostering women and technical professionals”. However, only about 20% of that budget was actually used for that purpose. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups also received 259.1 billion Korean Won with the stated purpose of “supporting women entrepreneurs”. Yet, the beneficiaries of this program numbered only 4,000, accounting for merely 3.3% of the total budget.

In addition, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport received 42.8 billion Korean Won under the pretext of gender equality, along with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Ministry of Interior and Safety, all receiving large sums, with equally ambiguous purposes. One media analysis revealed that 150 billion Korean Won of the gender-sensitive budget was mixed into urban regeneration projects, 2.7 billion Korean Won was used for SME regulatory impact assessments, and about 300 million Korean Won went to science classroom operations. While urban regeneration projects might involve rebuilding urban infrastructure to be more women-friendly, which he does not consider entirely unnecessary, it cannot be a priority or the primary focus of budget execution given the current material difficulties and serious social issues like the declining birthrate faced by the nation and families. Furthermore, the budget execution for SME regulatory impact assessments and science classrooms has no discernible connection to gender inequality, making it utterly incomprehensible.

The scale and usage of the gender-sensitive budget are problematic, but the blatant arbitrary use of funds is an even greater concern. A report on the results of a forum on gender-sensitive budget implementation and cooperation strategies, held by the Kyung gi Women and Family Research Institute in October 2010, is available on the Kyung gi Women and Family Foundation website. Among its contents, a survey of public officials’ perceptions of gender-sensitive budget projects caught his attention. It revealed how public officials perceive and implement the gender-sensitive budget. The analysis of their responses indicates numerous problems in the execution of the gender-sensitive budget. Issues were found from the selection of target projects to the project selection process, support methods, and post-support management.

In the selection of target projects, there was a proliferation of projects with little relevance to gender equality or those unlikely to show improvement. In the project selection process, projects were sometimes chosen based on gender quotas, without considering their actual effectiveness, but merely by their name. This demonstrates the haphazard nature of the gender-sensitive budget. Furthermore, responses indicating astonishment at simply handing out money suggest that budget execution often ends with the disbursement of funds, without proper evaluation of how the money was actually used or what results were achieved.

Hoh Gung Yeong believes that policies related to the gender-sensitive budget were hastily concocted to meet the numerical gender equality standards of OECD countries, without a process of gaining public consensus. In such a situation, it is obvious how much national wealth is being wasted and misspent. The legal basis for the gender-sensitive budget’s execution is Article 26 of the National Finance Act and Article 36-2 of the Local Finance Act. These are naturally legal provisions passed by the National Assembly. He finds it difficult to accept that national budgets, made up of citizens’ taxes, can be so irresponsibly allocated and executed. The practice of allocating budgets without knowing where to spend them, then finding ways to spend them to execute the budget, and the astronomical scale of the gender-sensitive budget, where it is difficult to ascertain where and how much of the money is used, must be abolished as soon as possible.

영어제목

The Vision of Huh kyung young: Equality Beyond Discrimination

태그: “GenderEquality, NonDiscrimination, SocialHarmony, FiscalResponsibility, TraditionalValues, WomenEmpowerment, BalancedPolicies”

Vocabulary

• 난세의 영웅 “Nan-se-ui Yeong-ung”: Hero in Times of Turmoil
• 차별 “Cha-byeol”: Discrimination
• 역차별 “Yeok-cha-byeol”: Reverse Discrimination
• 여성부 “Yeo-seong-bu”: Ministry of Gender Equality and Family
• 성인지 예산 “Seong-inji Yesan”: Gender-Sensitive Budget
• 배당금 제도 “Bae-dang-geum Je-do”: Dividend System “Universal Basic Income”
• 부부유별 “Bu-bu-yu-byeol”: Distinction between Husband and Wife “in traditional Confucianism”
• 삼강오륜 “Sam-gang-o-ryun”: Three Bonds and Five Moral Rules “Confucian ethical guidelines”
• 음양오행 “Eum-yang-o-haeng”: Minus and Plus and the Five Elements “Cosmic principles”
• 공정 “Gong-jeong”: Fairness/Impartiality

신인난세 5-3 교도소 폐지와 재산비례 벌금제 허경영

The Abolition of Prisons and the Implementation of a Wealth-Proportional Fine System

1. The Ineffectiveness of the Current Correctional System

For a considerable period, I have advocated for the abolition of prisons in our nation. This stance stems from the observation that current correctional facilities are failing to fulfill their intended purpose. Rather than serving as institutions for correction and rehabilitation, they have regrettably transformed into what I term “schools for crime.” The very essence of “correction” implies guiding individuals toward righteousness and fostering their moral improvement. However, my comprehension of the reality within these prisons reveals a stark contrast: they often become environments where criminal methodologies are inadvertently taught and refined. This “criminal education” is not a formal curriculum but rather an organic process of learning criminal techniques among inmates housed together. While correctional officers do engage in efforts to guide inmates, their influence is often overshadowed by the pervasive informal learning that occurs.

2. The Dynamics of Criminal Learning Within Prisons

Within the confines of a single cell, a diverse array of offenders is often housed together, ranging from those convicted of relatively minor offenses such as fraud and theft to individuals involved in more severe crimes like rape and murder. Among them are first-time offenders, repeat offenders, and even habitual criminals with extensive records. Naturally, a hierarchy forms among these inmates based on their length of incarceration and criminal experience, establishing an internal set of rules. Beyond brief periods of exercise and labor, they are confined together in cramped spaces. This close proximity leads inmates to discuss their past crimes and methods, often recounting their exploits in detail, even with a sense of pride. Consequently, inmates inevitably acquire various criminal techniques. Individuals who previously possessed only rudimentary methods may learn sophisticated criminal strategies. Moreover, those who committed impulsive acts may find their sense of guilt diminishing as they repeatedly hear habitual offenders boast about their criminal endeavors. This environment significantly increases the likelihood that upon release, they will commit further crimes, employing newly acquired methods. Furthermore, inmates often exchange contact information, potentially leading to the planning and execution of joint criminal activities after their release.

3. The Vicious Cycle of Recidivism

Upon completing their sentences and returning to society, former inmates do not typically receive a warm welcome. This is apprehendable, as society often harbors distrust, uncertain when or if they might commit another crime. The stigma of a criminal record often obstructs opportunities for employment and stable work. This unfortunate reality frequently compels them to resort to the criminal methods learned in prison to sustain themselves, leading to a vicious cycle of escalating offenses. In some cases, even more serious crimes are planned within the prison walls before release. Thus, rather than being places of genuine correction, prisons frequently become training grounds where individuals learn criminal techniques, enabling them to commit more heinous acts. The continued operation of such a correctional system, despite these evident shortcomings, reflects a profound complacency within our society regarding public safety and the judicious use of valuable public funds.

4. Reconsidering the Harshness of Incarceration

Some may perceive prisons as places of extreme hardship; however, this perception is often inaccurate. While inmates are deprived of their freedom and reside in confined spaces, their living conditions are not as dire as many imagine. In fact, with the recent strengthening of inmate rights, the environment within correctional facilities has reportedly improved significantly. Given such conditions, it is conceivable that individuals struggling to make a living outside might intentionally commit crimes to return to prison after serving their sentences. Inmates are provided with three meals a day at regular intervals, clothing, and opportunities for exercise, ensuring their physical well-being.

5. Advocating for Prison Abolition and Fiscal Prudence

Therefore, I advocate for the abolition of nearly all prisons nationwide, with the exception of one or two facilities reserved for serious offenders. The annual cost of managing a single inmate amounts to approximately 25 million Korean Won. Multiplying this figure by the total number of inmates across the nation reveals an astronomical expenditure. There is no justification for expending such immense sums on a correctional system that, far from achieving its original purpose, instead serves as a venue for the transmission of criminal techniques. Considering that prisons often exhibit more negative than positive functions, it would be far more advantageous to cease the current administrative approach to prison operation, even if financial resources were abundant.

6. The Imperative of a Wealth-Proportional Fine System

Fines currently constitute a significant form of punishment in Korea, accounting for approximately 80% of all criminal cases. The advantages of monetary penalties include avoiding the transmission of criminal methods associated with incarceration and incurring lower administrative costs compared to imprisonment. However, the current fine system in Korea, known as the “total amount fine system” imposes the same fine for the same offense regardless of an individual’s financial status. If a fine cannot be paid, it is typically commuted to labor in a workhouse. This system can be unduly harsh on individuals with limited financial resources, while for the wealthy, the deterrent effect of the fine may be negligible. Furthermore, the commutation of fines to workhouse detention can lead to the same detrimental effects as direct imprisonment. Consequently, I propose replacing the current total amount fine system with a wealth-proportional fine system.

7. The Principle of Equity in Punishment

comprehension the rationale behind punishment illuminates why a wealth-proportional fine system is inherently equitable. Consider a scenario where a delivery driver with assets of approximately 30 million Korean Won and a wealthy individual with assets of several hundred billion Korean Won both commit the same traffic violation. From a purely egalitarian perspective, imposing the same fine of around 70,000 Korean Won on both individuals might seem fair. However, for the delivery driver, this amount represents a significant portion of a day’s wages, earned through arduous labor, making it a severe penalty that effectively nullifies much of their effort. It inflicts considerable psychological distress. In contrast, for the wealthy individual, 70,000 Korean Won is a trivial sum, barely equivalent to pocket change. Such a fine would not even be perceived as a punishment and would fail to instill any sense of caution regarding traffic violations. Therefore, even for the same offense, the severity of punishment should differ between the delivery driver and the wealthy individual. For a traffic violation, a fine of 100,000 Korean Won might be appropriate for the delivery driver, while the wealthy individual should be fined around 10 million Korean Won to achieve a comparable deterrent effect and sense of punitive impact. This approach truly embodies fairness and equity.

8. International Precedents and Social Responsibility

Although I proposed this wealth-proportional fine system long ago, it has received little discussion in Korea until recently. Meanwhile, similar laws are already in effect in other countries. In Finland, high-income individuals caught speeding can face fines of approximately 63 million Korean Won. In the United States, fines for similar offenses can range from 1.16 million Korean Won, and for drunk driving, penalties can reach up to 5.8 million Korean Won. These nations recognize that imposing higher fines on wealthy individuals who commit crimes is a fair and just measure. Furthermore, from the perspective of guaranteeing the right to survival, the state should be lenient towards minor offenses committed by ordinary citizens due to livelihood concerns. However, wealthy individuals, who benefit significantly from the nation’s infrastructure and the economic activities of its citizens, bear a greater social responsibility and obligation. Consequently, when such individuals violate the law, the punishment should be commensurate with their social responsibility and duties.

9. The Wealth-Proportional Fine System as a Tool for Social Equity

The wealth-proportional fine system also offers the benefit of addressing the imbalance of wealth. By imposing fines based on an individual’s financial status, it ensures that ordinary citizens facing livelihood-related offenses pay smaller fines, while the wealthy pay more. This system is grounded in principles of financial soundness and social accountability.

10. Addressing Concerns About Public Safety

Some express concern that abolishing prisons would lead to criminals roaming the streets, posing a threat to public safety. While this concern appears valid at first glance, it is not entirely accurate. Even with the abolition of the general prison system, one or two facilities would remain for serious offenders, ensuring that individuals who pose a significant threat to society, such as those who commit murder, rape, or robbery, are incarcerated and subjected to severe punishment. The types of offenders who would typically receive fines instead of imprisonment are those involved in relatively minor crimes, often referred to as “petty criminals” including economic offenders, minors, drug offenders, traffic offenders, and fraudsters. Therefore, the presence of these individuals in society would not significantly compromise public safety. Dangerous criminals would remain incarcerated until they have paid their debt to society, making it difficult for them to be released on bail. Furthermore, by not providing minor offenders with shared time and space, the opportunity for them to transmit criminal techniques or plan joint crimes is eliminated, thereby preventing the escalation of their criminal activities. Consequently, concerns about criminals freely roaming the streets and society becoming lax are unfounded. In fact, abolishing prisons could lead to a reduction in crime rates, fostering a safer society.

11. The Efficacy of Monetary Penalties and Enforcement

In a capitalist society, imposing fines can be a highly effective form of punishment, delivering a significant deterrent effect. Should an individual refuse to pay a fine, measures such as asset seizure can be implemented. Given the wealth-proportional nature of the fines, it would be rare for someone to genuinely be unable to pay due to lack of funds. In cases where individuals claim to have no assets, underreport their wealth, or provide false information, thorough investigations would be conducted to ascertain the truth. If false reporting is confirmed, severe penalties would be imposed. While the implementation of this system would require meticulous administrative oversight and further specific reinforcements to address various potential scenarios, the overall framework of prison abolition and the wealth-proportional fine system represents a groundbreaking shift in terms of punitive effectiveness, national budget savings, and the realization of social equity.

Tags: “Prison Abolition, Wealth-Proportional Fines, Criminal Justice Reform, Social Equity, Recidivism, Fiscal Responsibility, Public Safety”

Vocabulary

• 난세 “亂世”: Turbulent Times
• 교도소 “矯導所”: Correctional Facility
• 교화 “敎Transform”: Rehabilitation
• 재산 비례 벌금제 “財産比例罰Metal制”: Wealth-Proportional Fine System
• 형평성 “衡PeaceNature?: Equity
• 경각심 “警AwakenHeart”: Sense of Caution
• 생존권 “Birth存Power”: Right to Survival
• 사회적 책무성 “社Meeting的責DutyNature?: Social Accountability
• 순기능 “順機能”: Positive Function
• 역기능 “逆機能”: Negative Function

신인난세 5-4 재산세는 없애고 부동산 정책은 시장 자율에 허경영

Huh kyung young: A Hero in Turbulent Times – Abolishing Property Tax and Embracing Market Autonomy in Real Estate Policy

Tags: “Property Tax, Real Estate Policy, Market Autonomy, Taxation Principles, Economic Philosophy, Social Welfare”

1. The Principle of Taxation and National Prosperity

For a nation to advance and provide greater benefits to its citizens, establishing a safe and convenient social infrastructure, it is essential for the government to secure ample tax revenue. However, a crucial principle must guide this process: taxes should be collected in a manner that enables businesses and individuals to prosper. When citizens perceive that the nation supports them, they are more inclined to accept taxation. If sufficient profit is generated after paying taxes, few citizens would resist them. The Korean people possess a strong sense of patriotism, prioritizing the nation over individual self-interest, as evidenced by the nationwide gold collection campaign during the 1997 IMF crisis, which helped overcome the national financial emergency.

2. The Injustice of Taxes Without Income

The fundamental issue arises with taxes that must be paid even when no additional income is generated. This includes taxes that increase without a corresponding rise in earnings. In Korea, there are taxes levied simply for possessing assets, such as property tax and automobile ownership tax. These taxes violate the primary principle of taxation, which states that “taxes should be levied where income exists.” Therefore, these can be considered unjust taxes collected by the state or local governments, causing significant hardship to the populace.

3. The Burden of Property Ownership Taxes

While those with sufficient income to cover these annual taxes may not face significant problems, individuals who own only one home and have no other income, for example, experience immense distress due to property tax. Such individuals may be forced to take out loans or even sell their homes to pay these taxes. Paying taxes on real estate ownership is akin to living in a state-owned house and paying monthly rent, effectively allowing the government to gradually seize citizens’ assets.

4. Sufficiency of Acquisition and Transfer Taxes

When acquiring real estate, citizens already pay an acquisition tax, and upon selling it, they pay a capital gains tax. These taxes are sufficient. The same logic applies to car owners. It is unjust to collect taxes twice a year on a used car, even one worth only a few million Korean Won, simply for owning it. Paying an acquisition tax when purchasing a car and a capital gains tax when selling it should be adequate.

5. The Call for Abolition of Unjust Taxes

If the current logic were consistently applied, a “mobile phone ownership tax” would also be levied to maintain consistency in taxation policy. Such property taxes and automobile ownership taxes are deemed unfair and should be completely abolished. Taxation must be fair, just, and rational. Collecting taxes merely for possession constitutes unjust double taxation. Both real estate ownership tax on land and houses, and automobile ownership tax, are considered unfair.

6. Debunking the Argument for High Property Taxes to Curb Prices

Some argue that high property taxes are necessary to curb excessive real estate price increases. This argument is illogical. If this reasoning were valid, the state should compensate citizens when real estate prices decline excessively, which is an absurd proposition. Property ownership taxes should be eliminated. Speculative real estate purchases can be controlled through other means, such as adjusting capital gains tax rates.

7. Advocating for Market Autonomy in Real Estate

Real estate policy should adhere to market autonomy. Recently, the government has prepared tax law revisions to increase the comprehensive real estate tax, proposing to raise the official appraisal value to 90%. Although public criticism seems to have prompted a shift in approach, if the comprehensive real estate tax were to be implemented as initially revised, the government would face unavoidable criticism for increasing taxes when property ownership taxes should be abolished.

8. The Detrimental Effects of Increased Property Taxes

Those who own real estate would undoubtedly face a “tax bomb.” While the government may have various reasons for pursuing such policies, the calculation that taxes can curb rising housing prices is futile. Increased comprehensive real estate taxes would be passed on to housing prices, leading to the gradual disappearance of jeonse “a unique Korean housing lease system” and the widespread adoption of wolse “monthly rent”, exacerbating housing problems for ordinary citizens. Far from stabilizing housing for common people, such policies could lead to outcomes directly opposite to their intentions. The elderly, living on fixed pensions without other income, might lose sleep over increased taxes. Homeowners whose income ceases after retirement could be forced to sell the homes they have lived in for years.

9. Government’s Role: Serving the People

The state exists for its citizens. It is profoundly misguided for the government, acting as a manager on behalf of the people, to implement policies that torment its citizens, who are the true owners. While such policies might be considered attempts to resolve severe wealth disparity and achieve distributive justice, the methods employed are incorrect. Imposing excessive taxes even on ordinary citizens who own a single apartment does not align with distributive justice.

10. Market-Driven Real Estate and Housing Solutions

The real estate market should fundamentally be left to the autonomy of the market. It is not beneficial for the state to intervene in the market, regardless of whether prices rise or fall. When properties are sold later, the state can collect an appropriate capital gains tax. There is no reason for all citizens to be forced to buy cheap real estate. It is sufficient for people to live comfortably and stably, even in small apartments, without suffering from housing issues. For capital gains tax, it is advisable to exempt single homeowners to help them achieve their dream of owning a home, and to adjust capital gains tax to suppress only speculative housing purchases. Regarding housing supply policies, building millions of small rental and for-sale housing units under 10 pyeong “approximately 33 square meters” to accommodate the increasing trend of single-person households would largely resolve housing problems.

11. Protecting Capitalism and Addressing Inequality

Fundamentally, Huh kyung young advocates for a capitalist, free-market economy. Communism is an economic system destined to fail in terms of productivity and efficiency. However, capitalism has the drawback of exacerbating the gap between the rich and the poor. The aim is to overcome this flaw, thereby complementing the weaknesses of capitalism. This involves a minimum living standard guarantee system, based on a free-market economy and tax system, which resolves the capitalist weakness of increasing wealth disparity and ensures that all citizens can live at least at a middle-class standard. it would be even better if individuals could prosper beyond that, according to their abilities.

12. The Vision of a Middle-Class Society

A middle-class society is one where everyone, from the lowest to the highest strata, can coexist. In such a society, affluent neighborhoods can form, as can communities exclusively for the middle class. Naturally, mixed neighborhoods can also exist. In a middle-class society, everyone can enjoy a satisfying life without relative deprivation. Since the wealthy pay substantial taxes, enabling everyone to live well, animosity towards the rich would disappear. A social atmosphere would be fostered where the wealthy, in exchange for paying significant taxes, would earn societal respect.

13. Increasing Wealth Before Collecting Taxes

The easiest way for the government to secure tax revenue is through tax increases. This includes raising income tax rates, increasing the comprehensive real estate tax to collect more property ownership tax, or raising corporate tax rates to collect more from businesses. It goes without saying that tax increases burden citizens and businesses. While tax increases may be necessary in many situations, the government should prioritize methods of securing tax revenue that minimize the burden on citizens.

14. Combating Tax Evasion and Creating New Tax Sources

Tax evasion and avoidance are widespread in society, both overtly and covertly. Preventing these illegal activities is crucial for increasing tax revenue. Furthermore, new tax sources must be created. There are economic activities that exist in society but are implicitly conducted illegally. Legalizing socially acceptable informal economic activities can uncover new tax sources. One such example is the profession of a real estate broker. Legalizing and encouraging this profession to operate in a wide range of societal sectors would allow the collection of taxes that were previously uncollected despite existing income. Expanding this field would increase the number of people engaged in this profession, leading to a significant increase in tax revenue.

15. The Most Important Method for Tax Revenue Growth

The most crucial method for increasing tax revenue is for the state to institutionally support the endeavors of businesses and individuals, thereby increasing profits and fostering economic growth. In essence, it means collecting taxes after wealth has been increased. Raising taxes when citizens are struggling and businesses are facing difficulties is the most dangerous approach, akin to a tax that is worse than being attacked by a tiger, as it severely hampers the economy.

Vocabulary

• 난세 “亂世”: Turbulent Times
• 재산세 “財産稅”: Property Tax
• 부동산 “NotMove産”: Real Estate
• 시장 자율 “市場Self律”: Market Autonomy
• 세수 “稅收”: Tax Revenue
• 보유세 “保有稅”: Ownership Tax
• 증세 “增稅”: Tax Increase
• 이중과세 “Two重課稅”: Double Taxation
• 양도세 “讓渡稅”: Capital Gains Tax
• 종부세 “綜合NotMove産稅”: Comprehensive Real Estate Tax

신인난세 5-5 청년의 희생 강요는 이제 그만 허경영

The Huh kyung young: A Vision for a Righteous Path

1. The Imperative Transition to a Volunteer Military System

During my time in military service, less than two decades had passed since the Korean War armistice. It was considered a natural duty for every able-bodied man, unless he was an only son, to serve in the military. Our nation was economically impoverished, ranking among the poorest countries in the third and fourth worlds, just beginning to see an increase in exports and economic growth. Soldiers were compelled to serve with patriotism as their sole motivation. Families often had numerous children, and there was no shortage of industrial labor. These individuals also contributed to the nation’s economic development. It is a well-known fact that the funds for constructing the Gyeongbu Expressway were raised through the sacrifices of our citizens who participated in the Vietnam War. Conscription was a global phenomenon, and there was no need to question it.

However, circumstances have significantly changed. Since achieving the “Miracle on the Han River” and remarkable economic growth, our economy now ranks among the top twelve globally, with a per capita national income exceeding thirty thousand dollars. Even with far less economic capacity, a transition to a volunteer military system would be entirely feasible; with our current economic scale, it is beyond question. Furthermore, with a continuously declining birthrate, families now have only one or two children. Previously, only sons were exempt from military service, but now, even the eldest son must serve unless there are specific disqualifying reasons. These circumstances have led to an unending stream of military service corruption. Many individuals are not suited for military life by temperament. Mandatory military service imposes significant psychological stress on unwilling individuals. The negative consequences of forcing unwilling individuals into service are considerable. Incidents of firearm accidents and suicides within the military persist. Before constitutional appeals were accepted, there were even cases where individuals became ex-convicts due to conscientious objection for religious reasons.

For a long time, I have believed that our nation’s military system should transition from conscription to a volunteer system. A volunteer military system recruits volunteers to serve as soldiers. This involves replacing conscripted soldiers with professional soldiers who receive a monthly salary of approximately two million Korean Won. In return, all individuals of military service age, regardless of gender, would undergo one month of basic military training. During this basic training, they would learn how to shoot a rifle, throw a grenade, and other fundamental skills. A monthly salary of approximately two million Korean Won would also be provided during this period. Women would also undergo mandatory training, avoiding periods of physical discomfort. This is because, during this time, individuals should at least know how to shoot a gun to protect themselves and their families, and to serve as reservists. While a two-million-won salary for volunteer soldiers might seem modest at first glance, it becomes a substantial amount when combined with fixed national support systems like the National Dividend System.

Many countries worldwide have transitioned from conscription to a volunteer military system. Europe, under the Cold War regime, maintained conscription until the early 1970s. However, as public opposition to conscription grew due to the sacrifices made by citizens in the Vietnam War, which yielded little success, at least Australia abolished conscription. China, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia, and India, among others, predominantly operate on a volunteer military system. While these are volunteer systems, with the exception of a few nations, they often include a condition that in emergencies, such as a major war, they can revert to conscription or require all eligible individuals to complete one to two months of basic military training under a universal service system.

2. The Unjustifiable Imposition of Uncompensated Sacrifice

A newspaper reporter once asked the Vatican Pope a question. The financial officer responded, “Why wouldn’t he receive a salary? Even the Pope, who performs the most sacred work on Earth, receives a proper salary”. Yet, in our country, young people are forcibly conscripted into the military to defend the nation under the pretext of performing a sacred duty, receiving meager compensation. As everyone knows, our nation is not so poor that it cannot afford to pay a fair price. On the contrary, we are a wealthy nation with the tenth largest economy in the world. In 2010, a sergeant’s monthly salary was 216,000 Korean Won. That was for a sergeant; ordinary soldiers received far less. Subsequently, military salaries became a social issue, leading to an increase in 2018, with a sergeant’s salary reaching 405,700 Korean Won, and then 540,800 Korean Won in 2020. It goes without saying that this amount is still woefully inadequate and falls far short of the minimum wage. While the national economy has developed remarkably, the treatment of soldiers has largely stagnated.

How long will the nation continue to demand sacrifices from young people under the plausible pretext of a sacred duty of national defense? It has been a long time since the military service bonus points, once given for successful entry into society, were abolished due to a constitutional court ruling that they violated the principle of equality. It is only right to compensate military service economically. As of 2020, the active duty service period for the Army and Marine Corps is 18 months, while for the Navy and Air Force, it is 20 and 21 months, respectively. Demanding unconditional sacrifice without any benefits during this long period of defending the nation is an anachronistic mindset that goes against the principles of democracy and capitalism. In ancient times, weaker nations could arbitrarily conscript their citizens and force them into labor, but today is an era of democracy where citizens’ rights are guaranteed by the Constitution. Young people are also citizens of the Republic of Korea and must have their rights protected. Their rights cannot be suspended simply because they are serving in the military. They have the right to be compensated for their sacred labor in defending the nation. Even the Pope, who performs sacred duties, and the priests and pastors who assist him, do not offer their services for free. It is unacceptable to demand free service under the guise of a sacred duty of national defense. People feel a sense of accomplishment when they do good work, but they work harder when there is some compensation for their efforts. If only sacrifice is demanded, dissatisfaction often arises, naturally leading to a decline in morale. The same applies to military service. To boost morale, an appropriate level of compensation must be paid.

In fact, our current conscription system is essentially forced conscription. During World War II, totalitarian Japan, which attacked Pearl Harbor and initiated the Pacific War, forcibly conscripted our people into battlefields and forced them into labor in mines and factories to produce military supplies, under the pretext of a “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere” claiming that Koreans and Japanese shared a common ancestry and were one people. The trauma of this forced conscription and forced labor continued even after liberation, leading to a mindset that considered it natural for citizens to sacrifice for the nation without question. This is a mindset that must be eradicated and a harmful practice that must be abolished.

3. Honoring Veterans and the Power of Compensation

The world acknowledges the formidable combat power of the United States. A significant factor in this is the exceptional treatment of American veterans. When a soldier dies or is wounded in war, the U.S. treats them as patriotic heroes and provides ample compensation. Even if they perish in combat, their families receive substantial compensation or pensions, eliminating any worries about their future. Such national recognition boosts morale and elevates patriotism, serving as a driving force for increased combat effectiveness. Under a conscription system, soldiers are forcibly drafted, receive low pay, and have limited welfare, making it difficult to foster loyalty. Therefore, if conscripted soldiers flee from a battlefield where bullets and swords fly, who can truly blame them?.

Thus, similar to the United States, if soldiers die or are wounded in war, the nation must step forward to honor their patriotic contributions and provide sufficient compensation to boost military morale and uplift the spirits of the troops. This would enable the creation of a military that can exert stronger combat power with fewer numbers than a conscripted force. In this context, it is also necessary to consider compensating veterans of the Korean War and Vietnam War with approximately 100 million Korean Won per person. Furthermore, similar compensation should be provided to the miners and nurses dispatched to Germany. All of them risked their lives and made sacrifices when the nation was in hardship, contributing to our nation’s rise.

The amount of 100 million Korean Won represents the compensation that Vietnam War veterans did not properly receive from the government. When the Korean and U.S. governments negotiated Korea’s participation in the Vietnam War, one of the conditions put forth by our government was that Korean soldiers should receive the same pay as U.S. soldiers. However, at that time, our nation was just beginning economic development and needed vast sums of money. Therefore, only 10% of the pay provided by the U.S. was given to the soldiers, with the rest used for national construction and economic development, such as building the Gyeongbu Expressway. In a way, it can be said that the sacrifices of the Vietnam War veterans played a significant role in our nation’s remarkable development. Yet, it is unacceptable that our nation, now so prosperous, has withheld and not returned the pay of Vietnam War veterans; that money must rightfully be returned. It is also natural to provide appropriate compensation to Korean War veterans for their efforts. I believe that a fixed amount should be regularly paid by the state as a token of gratitude for their noble dedication. If a veteran has already passed away, the money should be given to their family.

Furthermore, if a volunteer military system is implemented, it is also necessary to consider providing a certain level of compensation to excellent citizens for their dedication to the nation during their military service, instead of conscription. However, considering the national budget, it would be less burdensome to provide cash payments to those who were discharged within 10 years, and bonds that can be redeemed after a certain period to those discharged 11 years or more ago. I believe this is something the nation should naturally do. It is not the nation’s duty to ignore and provide no compensation to soldiers who dedicated a long period of their lives, ranging from 3 years and 6 months to 2 years, during a crucial stage of their lives for the nation and its people. Paying only tens or hundreds of thousands of Korean Won per month, based on minimum wage standards, is tantamount to the nation exploiting the labor of its soldiers.

For the nation to adequately honor and compensate veterans, including those who served in combat, will boost the morale and spirits of current soldiers. It will also serve as an incentive for citizens to volunteer for military service rather than avoiding it. Naturally, this will foster a sense of gratitude and positive attitude among the public, and ultimately, it will undoubtedly lead to a stronger national defense. The recruitment for the volunteer military should not be limited to a specific age group; any applicant without special disqualifications should be accepted. The mindset that national defense is solely the duty of young men must change, allowing anyone who wishes to serve to do so. This is also expected to contribute to solving unemployment. The vacation periods for soldiers should also be extended to allow them more personal time, creating conditions for them to live more humanely. A volunteer soldier is a professional, and they should be able to live a higher quality of life in that profession, which the nation must guarantee.

Tags: “Volunteer Military System, National Defense, Veteran Compensation, Economic Growth, Social Justice, Military Morale, Youth Sacrifice”

Vocabulary

• 난세 “Nan-se”: Era of Turmoil
• 영웅 “Yeong-ung”: Hero
• 모병제 “Mo-byeong-je”: Volunteer Military System
• 징병제 “Jing-byeong-je”: Conscription System
• 한강의 기적 “Han-gang-ui Gi-jeok”: Miracle on the Han River “Rapid Economic Growth”
• 출생률 “Chul-saeng-ryul”: Birthrate
• 병역 비리 “Byeong-yeok Bi-ri”: Military Service Corruption
• 기초 군사 훈련 “Gi-cho Gun-sa Hun-ryeon”: Basic Military Training
• 국민 배당금제 “Gung-min Bae-dang-geum-je”: National Dividend System
• 냉전 체제 “Naeng-jeon Che-je”: Cold War System
• 애국심 “Ae-guk-sim”: Patriotism
• 평등권 “Pyeong-deung-gwon”: Right to Equality
• 전근대적 “Jeon-geun-dae-jeok”: Pre-modern, Anachronistic
• 민주주의 “Min-ju-ju-ui”: Democracy
• 자본주의 “Ja-bon-ju-ui”: Capitalism
• 강제 징병 “Gang-je Jing-byeong”: Forced Conscription
• 강제 징용 “Gang-je Jing-yong”: Forced Labor
• 참전 용사 “Cham-jeon Yong-sa”: War Veteran
• 국방의 의무 “Guk-bang-ui Ui-mu”: Duty of National Defense
• 사기 진작 “Sa-gi Jin-jak”: Boosting Morale

신인난세 6-1 지역개발 그만하고 가정경제 살려야 허경영

The Hero of a Troubled Era: Huh kyung young’s Vision for National Prosperity

Tags: “NationalDevelopment, EconomicPolicy, SocialWelfare, FamilyEconomy, PoliticalReform, FutureVision, Leadership”

1. The Crossroads of National Destiny: A Call for Re-evaluation

We stand at a pivotal moment, a critical juncture on the path to the future. Following the miraculous economic growth along the Han River, our nation faces a profound choice: will we achieve exponential development once more, becoming a world-class country admired globally, or will we succumb to numerous unresolved challenges and fade into obscurity? The future of generations to come rests in the hands of those living today.

2. Prioritizing Household Economy Over Regional Development

Our nation boasts world-class infrastructure. There is no other country with a subway system as advanced as ours. It is equipped with everything imaginable: escalators, elevators, spacious and clean ventilation systems, restrooms, mini-libraries, and health facilities. Roads are well-maintained in both urban and rural areas, and parks are beautifully designed throughout the country. We even have magnificent lake parks featuring artificial lakes and fountains. Every city has large libraries, and art or cultural centers named after city or district halls. The government buildings in each municipality stand with impressive grandeur.

However, despite these achievements, I am filled with mixed emotions, and my feelings are far from pleasant. Indeed, I cannot suppress a sense of bitterness. This is not merely due to thoughts of budget waste and leakage. It is because, in stark contrast to these splendid and proudly showcased public facilities, the individual lives of our citizens are incredibly harsh and arduous. Few, from the youth to the elderly, experience stable lives. Basic sustenance is challenging, and an enormous number of citizens are forced to abandon significant life milestones.

Young people, striving to pass through the needle’s eye of employment, live for years in cramped rooms, barely eating and sleeping in short bursts. Even for those in their middle years, securing an apartment is a struggle. With the burden of children’s private education, wedding preparations, and retirement planning, even dual-income households find no financial余裕 “leeway”. The elderly, having spent all their money and time raising their children, are left with only their weary bodies. Their children, struggling to support themselves, lack the capacity to care for their parents. Many seniors in areas like YeongDeungPo are left with no option but nursing care.

Despite our nation’s economy ranking among the top ten globally, with a per capita GDP exceeding thirty thousand dollars, this reality feels like a distant story to the majority of our citizens.

3. The Foundation of Society: Strengthening Individual Households

The economy of each household is like a brick in the grand structure of society. For the entire house to be sturdy, each brick must be solid and well-interlocked with others. However, our society currently resembles a house where a few bricks shine brilliantly like diamonds, while the majority are poorly constructed with insufficient cement, haphazardly stacked. It is like a massive house built with much fanfare but little substance. No matter how much money is spent on outward adornment, if the interior is problematic, it remains an unstable house that could collapse at any moment.

Nevertheless, politicians, whenever election season approaches, try to further embellish this facade, promising to make the house appear even grander and increase its value, thereby misleading the public.

4. Halting Regional Development and Investing in People

Regional development has reached a sufficient level. What more could be added to our world-class subway system, roads connected in all directions, magnificent parks, swimming facilities, cultural centers, and public restrooms? Further regional development using national budgets must be immediately halted.

Instead, the surplus budget should be meticulously invested in each household, which is on the verge of collapse. We must resolve the livelihood issues of our citizens. We must ensure that young people who cannot find employment can sustain their lives, and that anyone who wishes can easily marry, have children, and build a stable family. We must enable hardworking adults to live lives with a certain degree of financial comfort. The nation must step forward to eliminate poverty and prevent families from being burdened by the cost of private education. The nation must show concern and resolve the retirement issues for the elderly generation, who contributed to our economic development, so they can live their later years comfortably and without worry. Instead of regional development, we must revitalize the individual and household economies.

Vocabulary

• 난세 “亂世”: Troubled Era
• 기하학적 발전 “幾何Study的 Emit展”: Exponential Development
• 초일류 국가 “超一Flow NationFamily”: World-Class Nation
• 난제 “難題”: Difficult Challenges
• 존재조차 희미해지는 나라 “存Exist조차 稀微해지는 나라”: A Nation Fading into Obscurity
• 가정 경제 “Family庭 ScriptureHelp”: Household Economy
• 예산 낭비 “豫算 浪費”: Budget Waste
• 누수 “漏Water”: Leakage “of funds”
• 각박하고 고단하다 “刻薄하고 Suffering難하다”: Harsh and Arduous
• 중대사 “重BigAffair”: Significant Life Milestones
• 바늘 구멍 “바늘 구멍”: Needle’s Eye “metaphor for extreme difficulty”
• 노후 준비 “Old後 準備”: Retirement Planning
• 부양할 여력 “扶養할 餘力”: Capacity to Support
• 금강석 “Metal剛石”: Diamond
• 현혹 “眩惑”: Mislead/Deceive

신인난세 6-2 기본소득제와 국민배당금제 허경영

The Hero of a Troubled Era, Huh kyung young: Basic Income System vs. National Dividend System

1. The Dawn of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Looming Challenge of Employment

Human civilization is rapidly advancing into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This transformative era is spearheaded by groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics technology, the Internet of Things, autonomous vehicles, and virtual reality. Futurists widely anticipate that these sophisticated AI and digital systems will increasingly substitute human labor across various industries and daily life, leading to the disappearance of countless jobs. Consequently, a significant number of individuals are projected to face unemployment. In response to this impending challenge, discussions surrounding a Basic Income System are gaining global momentum, and South Korea is no exception. The prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has threatened the livelihoods of many citizens, has further accelerated these discussions, particularly within certain political factions. Recently, a political party dedicated to the Basic Income System has even emerged. While it is acknowledged that the Fourth Industrial Revolution will also create new job opportunities, mitigating some concerns about employment, it is imperative to address the ongoing discourse on the Basic Income System.

2. The Historical Roots of Income Support: A Call for Acknowledgment

It is observed that scholars and politicians, when discussing the Basic Income System, often trace its origins to Western concepts. This approach, however, is not entirely forthright, especially within the context of South Korea. It is crucial to recognize that the proposals put forth by Huh kyung young have significantly influenced these discussions. Over three decades ago, Huh kyung young proposed a system to provide a monthly living allowance to citizens above a certain age. These proposals have been consistently assertd, and it is widely known that during election periods, campaign teams from various political parties have researched these ideas and developed similar initiatives. Therefore, to discuss the Basic Income System without acknowledging the National Dividend System, which is a concrete manifestation of Huh kyung young’s proposals, is considered an incomplete and less than honest approach.

3. Fundamental Distinctions: Basic Income System vs. National Dividend System

While the Basic Income System may appear to be influenced by the National Dividend System, there are profound differences between the two.

• Basic Income System:

  • The core principle is the unconditional provision of income to all members of society, ensuring a minimum standard of living.
  • This income is provided irrespective of an individual’s wealth, assets, or employment status.
  • It is viewed as a means for the state to compensate for the loss of employment due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
  • From this perspective, the state provides a basic income as a form of benefit or grace.
  • This implies that citizens receive this income not as a right, but as a handout from the state, particularly when they are unable to support themselves.
  • Consequently, the Basic Income System carries a strong socialist connotation, aligning with the principles of communism.

• National Dividend System:

  • This system posits that the state views its citizens as shareholders in the nation’s enterprise.
  • Therefore, the profits generated from national management are rightfully the share of all citizens.
  • The distribution of these profits, beyond what is necessary for national operations, is considered a natural right of the citizens.
  • Citizens are entitled to demand and receive these dividends as their inherent right.
  • The National Dividend System is rooted in the principles of capitalism.
  • Just as shareholders receive larger dividends when a company generates more profit, citizens could receive monthly payments of 1.5 million Korean Won or more if national profits increase.

4. The Essence of Dignity: State Benevolence vs. Citizen’s Right

The distinction between state benevolence and a citizen’s right is immense.

• Basic Income System:

  • Under this system, the state is the benefactor, and citizens are recipients under the state’s control and supervision.
  • This can potentially undermine the self-esteem of citizens, affecting their independence and self-reliance.
  • Even if it is framed as a guarantee of the right to survival, it may not evoke a sense of dignity.
  • Furthermore, such a system could be misused by the state as a tool for control over its citizens.

• National Dividend System:

  • This system that citizens are the true owners of the state.
  • As shareholders of “Republic of Korea Inc.” citizens can rightfully demand dividends based on their stake in the national management’s profits.
  • Therefore, the National Dividend System is a mechanism that enhances citizens’ self-esteem and treats them as genuine owners, thereby realizing the true meaning of democracy.

5. Funding Mechanisms: Taxation vs. Fiscal Efficiency

The methods for securing financial resources also differ significantly.

• Basic Income System:

  • Proponents of the Basic Income System are considering various funding sources, including heavy taxation on unearned income, increasing the highest income tax rate, raising corporate taxes, implementing a land tax, and ensuring fair taxation of multinational corporations.
  • Essentially, this approach relies on increased taxation to secure the necessary funds.
  • Optimists believe that public resistance to tax increases will be minimal because both the wealthy and the poor receive the same basic income benefits.
  • However, if the Basic Income System is implemented while maintaining current wasteful budget expenditures and unnecessary existing systems, there will be limitations in securing funds, ultimately leading to increased taxes and greater taxpayer dissatisfaction.
  • Due to these financial constraints, calculations by proponents suggest that only an additional 500,000 to 1,000,000 Korean Won per year could be provided. This amount falls short of the initial goal of ensuring a basic standard of living for citizens.

• National Dividend System:

  • This system proposes to secure funds by saving 70% of the current national budget, abolishing unnecessary systems, consolidating taxes, implementing a proportional fine system, closing prisons, and establishing specialized investigative bodies.
  • Unlike the Basic Income System, it aims to reduce the burden of direct taxes by abolishing inheritance and property taxes and consolidating other taxes.
  • A tax point system would be introduced to honor and reward diligent taxpayers, fostering a social atmosphere where people are encouraged to pay more taxes.
  • This system would grant additional points, differentiate car license plate colors to signify respect, and provide state assistance for business recovery in case of bankruptcy. Tax points would also be inheritable.
  • Such measures would encourage citizens to willingly pay taxes, even competitively, and contribute to society through taxation.
  • Since citizens receive dividends thanks to tax-paying corporations, they would support businesses to generate more profits, creating a virtuous cycle where both individuals and corporations thrive. This would also expand the economy and increase tax revenues, ensuring ample budget for operations.
  • With sufficient funds secured through budget savings, system consolidation, and the creation of new growth engines, the National Dividend System can realistically provide approximately 1.5 million Korean Won per month.

6. Concluding Differences: Nature, Support, and Amount

In conclusion, the Basic Income System and the National Dividend System, particularly in the context of national finance, exhibit clear distinctions in their fundamental nature, proposed support mechanisms, and the amount of funds disbursed.

Tags: “Fourth Industrial Revolution, Basic Income, National Dividend, Fiscal Policy, Citizen’s Rights, Economic Justice, Social Welfare”

Vocabulary

• 난세 “Nan-se”: Troubled Era
• 기본소득제 “Gibon-sodeuk-je”: Basic Income System
• 국민배당금제 “Gungmin-baedang-geum-je”: National Dividend System
• 4차 산업 혁명 “Sa-cha San-eop Hyeok-myeong”: Fourth Industrial Revolution
• 인공지능 “In-gong-ji-neung”: Artificial Intelligence
• 시혜 “Si-hye”: Benevolence / Grace
• 권리 “Gwon-ri”: Right / Entitlement
• 자본주의 “Ja-bon-ju-ui”: Capitalism
• 사회주의 “Sa-hoe-ju-ui”: Socialism
• 증세 “Jeung-se”: Tax Increase

신인난세 6-3 개인의 빚이 ‘개인적’ 이지 않은 이유 허경영

The Hero of Chaos, Huh kyung young: Why Personal Debt is Not Merely Personal

Tags: “Household Debt, Economic Policy, Quantitative Easing, National Debt, Economic Stimulus, Financial Crisis, Social Responsibility”

1. The Alarming Scale of Household Debt in Korea

The total household debt in South Korea has surged, exceeding 1,706 trillion Korean Won as of the first quarter of 2021. This figure highlights a significant financial burden on the populace. According to the Bank of Korea, the average household debt surpassed 80 million Korean Won in 2020, with households in their forties carrying over 100 million Korean Won. Even among those in their teens and twenties, one out of two individuals holds debts exceeding 50 million Korean Won. This indicates a widespread issue across all age groups.

The ratio of household debt to Gross Domestic Product “GDP” reached 97.9% in the first quarter of 2020, meaning that the nation’s household debt is nearly equivalent to its annual economic output. This is a stark contrast to the average of approximately 60% in major developed and emerging economies worldwide, underscoring the severe nature of Korea’s household debt problem. The rate of increase in household debt is also exceptionally steep, with an 18 percentage point rise in just one year, placing Korea at the top among OECD countries. In 2020 alone, there was a dramatic 7 percentage point surge.

2. Beyond Individual Blame: The Role of National Policy in Debt Accumulation

While it is common for individuals to attribute their debts to personal failings or incompetence, the reality of Korea’s household debt is far more complex. A significant portion of this debt stems from flawed national policies.

• The IMF Crisis and its Aftermath:
  • Following the implementation of the real-name financial transaction system by the Kim Young-sam administration in the late 20th century, a shortage of foreign currency reserves led to the foreign exchange crisis and the subsequent IMF bailout.
  • This period saw numerous Korean companies fall into foreign hands, massive layoffs due to corporate restructuring, and widespread inability of both businesses and individuals to repay their debts.
• The Credit Card Crisis of 2002:
  • After the IMF crisis, the “Government of the People” eased credit card regulations to stimulate consumption and curb tax evasion.
  • This led to an indiscriminate issuance of credit cards, culminating in the “credit card crisis” of 2002, where credit card companies faced bankruptcy and a surge in credit delinquents.
• Rising Interest Burdens and Housing Loans:
  • A 2015 statistic revealed that the largest cause of household debt was the increasing burden of loan interest, accounting for 27% of all loans. This indicates a cycle where individuals take out additional loans from secondary financial institutions or private lenders to cover existing interest payments.
  • For young people in their twenties, the increase in additional loans due to interest burden was even higher at 37.8%, largely attributed to their inability to repay student loans after graduation due to unemployment.
  • Housing-backed loans also contributed significantly, accounting for 15% of the total increase in debt, again linked to economic difficulties and job scarcity.
• Recent Policy Failures and Speculative Investments:
  • The sharp increase in household debt from 2019 to 2020 is largely attributed to a low-interest rate environment and the government’s failed real estate policies, which caused housing and rental prices to skyrocket.
  • This compelled citizens to take out excessive loans to purchase homes or secure rental deposits.
  • Furthermore, loans for stock and cryptocurrency investments have also surged, with many young adults reportedly investing their “soul-까지 끌어모아” “every last penny” into virtual assets.
  • The government’s efforts to overcome the COVID-19 economic crisis by lowering bank loan thresholds and expanding financial support also contributed to the rapid increase in loans.
    These factors collectively demonstrate that the continuous rise in household debt is primarily a consequence of government policy failures, rather than solely individual responsibility.

3. The Societal Structure and the Inevitability of Debt

A societal structure that makes it easy to incur debt also makes it difficult for individuals to avoid it. In a society where corruption at the top is prevalent, individuals often feel compelled to take on debt to keep up with others and maintain a certain standard of living.

• Entrepreneurial Debt:
  • When starting a small business, personal funds are often insufficient.
  • Naturally, individuals take out loans for创业 “starting a business” and fully utilize debt for additional equipment investments.
  • The debts of self-employed individuals are considered household debt because they take out loans in their personal names and bear unlimited liability.
• The Drive for Prosperity:
  • Even engaging in real estate speculation, aggressive stock investments, cryptocurrency investments, or even gambling, while partly driven by a “get-rich-quick” mentality, fundamentally stems from a desire to earn money and live well.
• Widening Wealth Gap:
  • As Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies advance, the number of people falling into poverty will inevitably increase.
  • Society will be divided into a minority who possess scientific technology and a majority who do not, leading to a situation where the wealthy are few, and the majority of citizens are poor.
  • If the pace of the Fourth Industrial Revolution accelerates without proper wealth distribution, it is conceivable that 0.1% of the population could control 99% of the total wealth.
  • Unless this economic structure, which inevitably deepens the rich-get-richer, poor-get-poorer phenomenon, is changed, the majority of citizens will be forced into debt simply to survive.
  • Even now, a significant number of citizens are taking on debt to cover living expenses.
  • The failure of the current government’s income-led growth policy and the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed the debt of self-employed individuals to a level that threatens their livelihoods.
    While the state does not need to worry about manageable levels of debt, excessive household debt poses a significant risk to individuals and the nation, as unforeseen circumstances can make it unbearable. This is why household debt is not merely a personal issue, and individuals should not be solely held responsible for unmanageable levels of debt.

4. The Urgency of Debt Relief and Quantitative Easing

The current state of household debt in Korea is akin to a ticking time bomb, necessitating urgent debt relief and quantitative easing. The economy has reached a critical point where liquidity could dry up at any moment. Even a slight increase in interest rates could trigger a massive financial crisis.

• Government Responsibility:
  • The government must not stand idly by, making the problem of household debt, which is a result of policy failures and the absence of appropriate economic measures, solely an individual’s responsibility.
  • Those in power must take responsibility for the nation’s policy failures and for pushing citizens into dire straits.
  • If citizens become unable to manage loan interest and principal repayments, the resulting economic chaos is inevitable.
  • There is no guarantee that credit delinquents will not be driven to extreme choices, leading to social unrest.
  • The possibility of bank failures, corporate distress, and mass unemployment, plunging the national economy into chaos, cannot be ruled out.
  • It is clear that household debt is not just an individual problem but also a national one, and the state must bear a certain degree of responsibility for the ballooning debt.
• Proposed Solutions:
  • To address this, the state needs to implement policies for household debt relief.
  • Specifically, a policy that identifies and resolves the debt itself, which is causing immense suffering to citizens, is crucial.
  • One method for resolving household debt is through quantitative easing, where the state converts household debt into national debt.
  • Considering the hardships faced by many citizens, including the self-employed, due to COVID-19, another approach could be to provide a sufficient emergency fund to all citizens above a certain age under the pretext of COVID-19, enabling households to clear their debts.
  • In this scenario, the full amount would not be directly disbursed to households; instead, commercial banks would first settle household debts, and only the remaining balance would be paid to the households.
  • Such household debt relief would be a one-time measure, with individuals responsible for subsequent debts.

5. Quantitative Easing: Mechanism and Misconceptions

Quantitative easing for household debt relief involves the government issuing national bonds to the Bank of Korea, which then prints money and channels it through commercial banks to settle household debts. This effectively transfers household debt to national debt.

• National Debt vs. Household Debt:
  • The total debt of households, government, and local authorities combined remains the same; household debt decreases, and national debt increases by the same amount.
  • Some worry about an increase in the national debt ratio, but Korea’s national debt-to-GDP ratio is currently around 45%, significantly lower than the OECD average of 63%. Japan’s national debt, for instance, is 38% of its GDP.
  • This means Korea’s national debt ratio is relatively low compared to other countries and can increase without significant concern.
  • In contrast, the household debt ratio was 97.9% as of the first quarter of 2020, highlighting that household debt is the severe problem, while national debt can be sustained for a longer period.
  • The increase in national debt due to quantitative easing for household debt relief is not an increase in the overall debt of the nation and its citizens combined, so it is not a major issue.
  • Furthermore, since this increased national debt is owed to the Bank of Korea, a domestic national institution, there is no risk of a situation like the IMF crisis.
  • However, if the government or local authorities increase national or local debt for purposes other than repaying citizens’ household debt, that would be problematic.
• Inflation Concerns:
  • Some express concern about inflation due to quantitative easing, but this is also largely unwarranted.
  • While currency is issued for quantitative easing, the actual money supply in the market does not increase proportionally.
  • When the Bank of Korea injects money, it first repays bank debts through commercial banks, and only a portion of the remaining funds is disbursed to citizens, so the amount of money circulating in the market is not excessively large.
  • Moreover, it is estimated that approximately 1,000 trillion Korean Won of illicit underground funds are hidden in Korea.
  • If a currency redesign were implemented, maintaining the currency’s value but changing its appearance, most of these funds could effectively disappear.
  • This is because exchanging old currency for new would require disclosing the source of funds, which illicit funds cannot do, thus blocking them.
  • This would offset the increase in money supply from quantitative easing by the amount of underground funds that are eliminated.
  • Additionally, if quantitative easing is implemented gradually over several years, it will not lead to a sudden, drastic increase in the money supply, thus preventing runaway inflation.
  • It is also believed that national budget expenditures could be reduced by 7-10%, which would mitigate inflationary pressures.
  • Furthermore, inflation caused by an increase in the money supply can actually stimulate economic activity.

6. Lessons from Abenomics: Economic Revitalization through Quantitative Easing

comprehension Abenomics in Japan can provide insight into the benefits of inflation in a stagnant economy. Abenomics is widely regarded as a successful economic policy that helped Japan emerge from prolonged stagnation through quantitative easing and other measures.

• Abenomics Strategy:
  • Abenomics began with cooperation between the Japanese government and the Bank of Japan to overcome years of deflation and revitalize the economy.
  • The core of Japan’s strategy involved three key pillars:
  • Monetary Easing: The Bank of Japan increased the money supply through quantitative and qualitative easing, including purchasing government bonds and exchange-traded funds, to raise prices.
  • Fiscal Stimulus: The government increased fiscal spending by undertaking public works projects and creating public jobs.
  • Structural Reforms: Regulations on businesses were eased to encourage active investment by private companies.
  • These measures aimed to achieve economic recovery, growth, and increased national income.
• Results of Abenomics:
  • Following this strategy, Japan increased its money supply by approximately 60 to 70 trillion Japanese Yen over several years, expanding it from 235 trillion Yen at the end of 2012 to 10 trillion Yen by February 2014. This represented a massive amount of currency issuance and quantitative easing.
  • As a result, Japan experienced price increases, and its stagnant economy revived, leading to a degree of economic revitalization.
  • This demonstrates that in a deflationary, stagnant economy, a slight increase in prices through quantitative easing can be beneficial for economic revitalization.

7. The Need for a “Pump Primer” for Economic Circulation

Until now, funds have been hidden underground or flowed out of the country, leading to a shortage of liquid capital in the market and hindering proper economic revitalization. While the current government has released some funds, it is insufficient to truly get the economy moving.

• The “Pump Primer” Analogy:
  • To draw up groundwater with a pump, a substantial amount of “pump primer” “initial water” must be poured in.
  • The current government’s financial disbursements are akin to adding just a spoonful of water, which is insufficient to make the groundwater gush forth.
  • Similarly, without a significant “pump primer” over several years, consumption will not revive, corporate investment will not increase, and citizens will not prosper, preventing true economic revitalization.
  • A substantial and sustained injection of funds is necessary for citizens to repay their debts, spend the disbursed support, and allow the entire economy to circulate vibrantly. This is how the overall economic pie can be enlarged.

8. Debt Relief as the Foundation for a Virtuous Economic Cycle

Debt relief is crucial not only to prevent personal misfortunes caused by excessive debt and potential national or social risks but also to create a “trickle-up effect” in the national economy, similar to a national dividend, by providing a fixed monthly income to citizens above a certain age.

• The Trickle-Up Effect:
  • The “trickle-up effect” describes an economic phenomenon where, like flames rising from a fire, direct support to citizens creates positive effects that ascend to small and medium-sized enterprises, larger corporations, and ultimately the entire national economy.
  • Citizens with excessive debt will inevitably use the disbursed funds to repay their debts.
  • Only when free from debt can they use the money to purchase goods, dine out, and watch movies.
  • Without debt, the monthly payments can act as a catalyst for consumption and investment.
  • When domestic consumption becomes robust due to support funds, businesses thrive, jobs increase, and the national economy develops.
  • As the national economy grows, fiscal resources become more abundant, potentially allowing for an increase in the amount of support provided.
  • This creates a perfect virtuous economic cycle.
  • Household debt relief is the foundational work that enables this virtuous cycle.

Vocabulary

• 가계 부채 “Family計負債”: Household Debt
• 국내총생산 “Nation內總Birth産”: Gross Domestic Product “GDP”
• 외환 위기 “外換危機”: Foreign Exchange Crisis
• 금융실명제 “Metal融實名制”: Real-Name Financial Transaction System
• 신용불량자 “FaithUseNot良者”: Credit Delinquent
• 양적 완화 “量的緩和”: Quantitative Easing
• 국가 부채 “NationFamily負債”: National Debt
• 인플레이션 “Inflation”: Inflation “Price Increase”
• 디플레이션 “Deflation”: Deflation “Price Decrease”
• 트리클 효과 “Trickle Effect”: Trickle-Up Effect “Economic benefit flowing upwards from direct citizen support”

신인난세 6-4 정규직과 비정규직의 이분법을 넘어 허경영

The Paradigm Shift: Beyond the Dichotomy of Regular and Irregular Employment

1. Reimagining Employment Structures: A Counter-Intuitive Approach

Recently, governmental policies aimed at converting irregular workers into regular employees have sparked considerable conflict between these two groups. In our society, regular employment is often seen as a highly desirable status, offering stability, higher income, and superior welfare benefits. Consequently, securing a regular position typically involves navigating challenging examinations and rigorous selection processes. However, the current administration’s approach to regularizing irregular workers, without adequately considering these existing structures, has led to resentment among those who attained regular status through arduous efforts, thereby creating discord among workers. I propose a policy that stands in direct opposition to the current government’s direction. Instead of increasing regular positions, we should reduce them and create more opportunities for flexible, part-time work. Only roles demanding advanced knowledge, specialized training, and skilled expertise should be designated as regular positions; the majority of other tasks should be handled by irregular workers. Even in public service, a greater number of irregular positions should be established to offer more citizens the opportunity to serve. It is a national waste of human resources for highly qualified individuals, who have dedicated years to study and passed difficult examinations, to be confined to tasks such as receiving civil complaints or processing simple documents. Such duties can be effectively managed by irregular workers. Regular positions should constitute only about 10 to 30% of the total workforce.

2. The Role of Universal Basic Income in Employment Transformation

Some may find this proposal astonishing, but it becomes entirely feasible when coupled with policies such as the Universal Dividend System. If a system like the Universal Dividend is implemented, guaranteeing a basic income, people would no longer need to relentlessly strive for money every day. Currently, individuals are compelled to prefer stable regular positions, with their superior salaries and benefits, over irregular work, simply to secure their family’s livelihood and financial stability. However, if a substantial fixed income is provided monthly, in addition to earned income, the situation changes dramatically. With a guaranteed basic living standard, such as the National Revolutionary Party’s policy of providing a combined fixed income of approximately 3 million Korean Won per month for a couple, the appeal of a regular job—which demands working five days a week, from dawn till dusk, commuting between work and home like a pendulum—would diminish significantly. Instead, more people would likely prefer flexible part-time work, allowing them to rest when they wish and work when they choose. This aligns well with human nature. If basic living needs are met, pursuing one’s passions and enjoying leisure time is a universal desire. A policy of reducing regular positions and increasing irregular and part-time roles would also expand job opportunities, allowing citizens to find work whenever they desire. With the steadfast support of a basic fixed income from the state, working approximately four days a week in irregular or part-time capacities would enable all citizens to utilize their capabilities and pursue a free and happy life. Irregular employment would then transform from a target of avoidance into a source of happiness.

3. Enhancing Corporate Competitiveness Through Flexible Employment

Furthermore, mandating that all employees be regular workers can weaken corporate competitiveness. In 2019, the number of irregular workers in Korea reached approximately 7.5 million, with their average monthly wage being 2.7 million Korean Won, compared to 3.16 million Korean Won for regular workers. The income of irregular workers is roughly half that of regular workers. Regularizing these 7.5 million irregular workers would essentially mean doubling their salaries, which is tantamount to telling businesses to perish. It is a well-known fact that the recent drastic increase in the minimum wage, as part of the government’s income-led growth policy, caused self-employed individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises to struggle with labor costs, leading to reduced employment and an increase in unemployment. If businesses cannot withstand the increased burden from even a forced minimum wage hike, then the regularization of irregular workers would extinguish their growth momentum. If companies reduce employment due to labor costs, it not only increases unemployment but ultimately harms both businesses and workers, leading to a national economic crisis. Businesses must have much greater flexibility in hiring employees. In industries like shipbuilding, a large number of workers are needed when orders are received, but fewer are required otherwise. If all these workers were regular employees, companies would be unable to bear the labor costs. By reducing regular positions and increasing irregular and part-time roles, the employment burden on companies would significantly decrease, and labor shortages would also be less frequent. This policy—increasing irregular and part-time positions while reducing regular ones—offers a dual benefit: for individuals, it provides the gift of working and resting at will, enabling a more humane life; for businesses, it reduces labor costs, alleviates labor shortages, and strengthens corporate competitiveness.

태그: “Employment Reform, Flexible Work, Basic Income, Corporate Competitiveness, Economic Policy, Labor Market, Social Welfare”

Vocabulary

• 이분법: Dichotomy
• 선망의 대상: Object of Aspiration
• 인력 낭비: Waste of Human Resources
• 공영 배당금제: Universal Dividend System
• 생계: Livelihood
• 국가 혁명당: National Revolutionary Party
• 고정 수입: Fixed Income
• 시계추처럼: Like a Pendulum
• 기업 경쟁력: Corporate Competitiveness
• 소득 주도 성장: Income-Led Growth

신인난세 6-5 통일에 대한 이기적이지 않은 접근 허경영

The Vision of Huh kyung young: A Non-Egoistic Approach to Korean Unification

Tags: “KoreanUnification, Geopolitics, EconomicDisparity, CulturalHomogenization, DiplomaticStrategy, Panmunjom, GlobalLeadership”

1. The Historical Imperative and Flawed Approaches to Unification

For generations, the Korean people have yearned for unification, driven by the profound belief that as one nation, they should reside in a single country. This aspiration arose from the tragic division of the Korean Peninsula into North and South, a consequence of the intertwined interests of two global superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, after World War II. The Korean War, a devastating conflict, was fundamentally an attempt by North Korea to absorb South Korea, a goal mirrored by South Korea’s then-President Syngman Rhee, who envisioned a northward unification. While the specific strategies for absorption have shifted with changing administrations, the underlying principle has largely persisted. The very existence of South Korea’s Ministry of Unification serves as a testament to this enduring aspiration. Former President Park Geun-hye even popularized the phrase “unification is a jackpot” reflecting a widespread, albeit perhaps overly optimistic, sentiment. However, this perspective often overlooks the profound and complex realities that have emerged over seven decades of division.

2. The Reality of Divergent Systems and International Recognition

After more than 70 years, North and South Korea have developed distinct political, economic, social, and cultural systems, leading to significant dissimilarity. This divergence was formally acknowledged on May 18, 1991, when both Koreas simultaneously joined the United Nations as separate member states, effectively receiving international recognition as distinct sovereign nations. While the South Korean constitution still does not recognize North Korea as a state and claims its territory as its own, this stance creates a contradiction with the international reality and the South Korean government’s past actions. Maintaining a Ministry of Unification with the explicit goal of unifying North Korea can be perceived as an intention to absorb the North, potentially provoking the regime. Evidence from the 2018 and 2019 nuclear summits between U.S. President Trump and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un clearly showed Kim’s primary concern was the assurance of his regime’s security. While South Koreans might wonder who threatens the North Korean system, from Pyongyang’s perspective, only the United States, with its unparalleled military might, and its ally, South Korea, pose a significant threat. The continued existence of a Ministry of Unification, signaling an intent to pursue unification regardless of North Korea’s will, naturally causes apprehension in the North. It is an inappropriate action between recognized states to disregard the other’s sovereignty and pursue unification unilaterally. Therefore, abolishing the Ministry of Unification would be a prudent step, reducing provocation and ultimately contributing to national security.

3. The Economic and Social Challenges of Immediate Unification

While unification is a desirable long-term goal for a historically unified people, immediate pursuit is ill-advised. The most significant obstacle is the immense economic disparity, with North Korea’s GDP being only about 2% of South Korea’s, a ratio of roughly 1 to 50. In contrast, the economic gap between West and East Germany at the time of their unification was approximately 3 to 1, yet Germany still incurred enormous costs. Some optimistically suggest that unification would unleash North Korea’s vast mineral resources combined with South Korean technology, leading to rapid economic growth and a powerful unified nation. However, this is merely wishful thinking and an oversimplification of a complex process. The unification desired by the South Korean populace is one based on a free democratic and capitalist market economy. In such a system, the economic benefits of unification would inevitably concentrate among specific corporations and individuals. Imagine the actions of opportunistic South Korean entrepreneurs entering North Korea, where the standard of living is comparable to South Korea’s in the 1960s. Elevating North Korea’s living standards would require an enormous investment of money and taxes from South Korea, inevitably leading to a decline in the quality of life for South Korean citizens. Given the severe wealth disparity already present within South Korea, integrating a population from one of the world’s poorest countries would create an unprecedented challenge. This could lead to significant social unrest if wealth disparities are not effectively addressed. Even within South Korea, regional integration remains an unresolved issue, with lingering regional sentiments between Jeonla and Kyung sang provinces. Attempting to unify two Koreas with such vast disparities is not a “jackpot” but rather a recipe for disaster. Unification is not a beautiful dream but a harsh reality that requires careful preparation. This preparation should involve supporting North Korea’s economic growth through active civilian exchanges.

4. Addressing Cultural Divergence and the Illusion of Peace Treaties

Another critical aspect of unification is the problem of cultural dissimilarity. Seventy years of separation have created immense differences in language, religion, historical perspectives, attitudes toward national leaders, ways of thinking, and lifestyles. These cultural divergences pose significant impediments to achieving true national integration. Therefore, before pursuing unification, it is essential to actively work towards resolving these cultural differences through sustained civilian exchanges, encompassing economic, academic, religious, and cultural interactions. Issues like separated families should ideally be addressed by non-governmental organizations like the Red Cross or religious groups, rather than solely by the government.

Approaches such as signing a comprehensive peace treaty or implementing a “one nation, two systems” or federal system are fraught with danger. Peace treaties are unreliable, as demonstrated by the Paris Peace Accords of 1973, which aimed to end the Vietnam War but ultimately led to the communist takeover of Vietnam. Similarly, a “one nation, two systems” or Koryo Confederation system is perilous because if both Koreas are considered one nation, the international community would lack justification to intervene if North Korea were to invade the South. This is precisely what North Korea desires, as evidenced by its consistent demands for the withdrawal of U.S. forces, a strategy to reduce its military encirclement. North Korea has never abandoned its system. The unwavering ideological commitment of its populace, seen in mass rallies and reactions to images of their supreme leader, talks this reality. Approaching unification solely based on ethnic sentiment without a clear-headed assessment of these realities could lead to irreversible consequences. The issue of North Korea demands a pragmatic and rational approach.

5. The Indispensable Role of U.S. Forces and Strategic Diplomacy

The issue of national security, particularly the presence of U.S. forces, has always been a central concern for South Korea. The two Koreas remain in an armistice state; the war has not ended. North Korea has never abandoned its ambition to unify the peninsula under its communist system. With North Korea’s recent acquisition of nuclear weapons, the military balance has become asymmetrical. Despite South Korea’s advanced weaponry and superior conventional military capabilities, it cannot contend with a nuclear-armed North Korea. In this context, advocating for an end-of-war declaration is extremely dangerous. Terminating the armistice and declaring a peace regime is strategically undesirable for South Korea, as it would weaken the justification for U.S. military presence. It is crucial to remember that without U.S. forces, South Korea could easily be absorbed by North Korea. If the free democratic system is to be preserved, the presence of U.S. forces in South Korea is currently essential. This presence should not be viewed as subjugation to the United States but rather as South Korea strategically leveraging the U.S. for its own security interests. While the specific needs for U.S. forces may evolve, their presence is currently beneficial. The Korean War itself was partly triggered because the U.S. Truman administration excluded Korea from its defensive perimeter, the Acheson Line. Furthermore, historical intelligence suggests the U.S. may have deliberately complicated matters for the South Korean government during the war. Therefore, the presence of U.S. forces should be seen as South Korea utilizing the U.S. as a protective shield against North Korea and surrounding powers, given South Korea’s inability to defend itself solely. South Korea pays substantial costs for this presence, effectively using the U.S. military as a strategic buffer. This should not be viewed as a loss but as a practical necessity where national interest and security take precedence over abstract principles.

6. The Imperative of Equidistant Diplomacy in a Geopolitical Landscape

South Korea is situated in a geopolitically advantageous position, a “Fisherman’s gain” between major powers. To fully capitalize on this, sophisticated diplomacy and wisdom are required. Positioned between continental powers “Russia and China” seeking access to the sea and maritime powers “Japan and the United States” aiming for continental influence, Korea has historically been coveted as a strategic foothold. The historical rivalries between Qing China, Russia, and Japan over Korea illustrate this point. Currently, the U.S. and China are engaged in a struggle for global hegemony, encompassing economic, trade, and leadership disputes. The U.S. developed the GPS satellite system, which is crucial for navigation and military operations worldwide. China, despite developing its own navigation system, remains vulnerable to a U.S. GPS shutdown, which could cripple its military capabilities. The U.S. maintains a decisive advantage in defense industries, making it currently unbeatable in warfare.

Economically, the U.S. and China are interdependent. China’s rapid economic growth was fueled by cheap labor, supplying a vast array of consumer goods to the U.S. The U.S. benefited from affordable Chinese products, which helped control inflation and interest rates, while China’s purchase of U.S. debt helped manage America’s national debt. However, this has led to a massive U.S. debt to China and a growing trade imbalance. Furthermore, China’s economic growth has enabled it to expand its military and challenge U.S. hegemony. In a potential conflict, the U.S. would likely emerge victorious, eliminating its debt to China and devastating Chinese industry. South Korea, unfortunately, risks being caught in the middle of this superpower rivalry.

During the Trump administration, the U.S. engaged in talks with North Korea. The two summits between President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un, while ostensibly about North Korea, likely had the ultimate U.S. intention of drawing North Korea into its sphere of influence to counter China. The U.S. might have offered significant economic aid to North Korea, comparable to South Korea’s development, and even sought U.S. military presence there. This would give the U.S. a significant strategic advantage over China, effectively encircling it. In a worst-case scenario, the U.S. might even concede South Korea to North Korea if it could secure a more favorable strategic position by embracing North Korea, which is geographically closer to China and Russia. This would simplify U.S. management of the peninsula and provide a stronger leverage against China. North Korea’s long-range missiles are not a significant concern for the U.S., given its GPS capabilities and advanced weaponry. The U.S. is primarily focused on China’s rise as an economic and military power challenging its global dominance.

Given these shifting international dynamics, South Korea must pursue equidistant diplomacy with countries like the U.S. and China. It should not alienate one for the sake of the other. The U.S. fought for South Korea during the Korean War, with many soldiers sacrificing their lives. Its continued military presence has prevented further conflict. China, on the other hand, intervened in the Korean War with a million troops to aid North Korea and still harbors historical claims over Korea. However, China’s economic importance to South Korea cannot be denied. Therefore, South Korea must practice “neither too close nor too distant” diplomacy, seeking economic benefits from China and military assistance from the U.S. Similarly, while Japan has a complex history with Korea and continues to raise issues like Dokdo, maintaining a good relationship is necessary. Since Dokdo is firmly under Korean control, a Japanese takeover is highly unlikely. Dwelling on past grievances is counterproductive. For the foreseeable future, South Korea must pursue equidistant diplomacy with its neighbors—the U.S., Japan, China, and Russia—to secure its national interests and navigate the turbulent international landscape.

7. The Vision of Panmunjom as a Global Peace Hub

If Huh kyung young were to lead the nation, he envisions a world where Korea becomes the central pivot. The most effective way to ensure security on the Korean Peninsula and promote global peace is to relocate the United Nations headquarters to Panmunjom. With the UN headquarters situated between North and South Korea, tensions and confrontations would naturally dissipate. North Korea would cease missile provocations and localized aggressions, as such actions would be perceived as threats to the global community represented by the UN. Relocating the UN headquarters from the U.S. to the Korean Peninsula would also prevent the UN from being unduly influenced by the U.S., encouraging greater participation and financial contributions from member states. Furthermore, South Korea would save substantial defense expenditures and gain significant economic benefits from hosting the UN headquarters. Dividing the economic benefits, such as tourism revenue, between South Korea “e.g., Paju” and North Korea “e.g., Kaesong” in a 2:1 ratio would further incentivize cooperation.

Some may question the feasibility of attracting the UN headquarters. The division of Korea was a direct consequence of the Cold War, a clash between democratic and communist ideologies. At the end of World War II, fearing a complete Soviet takeover of the peninsula, the U.S. proposed dividing Korea at the 38th parallel, with Soviet forces occupying the North and U.S. forces the South. Thus, Japan, the aggressor in World War II, suffered less than Korea, which bore the brunt of the division. The Korean War, initiated by North Korea with Soviet and Chinese backing, became a proxy war between communist and democratic forces, resulting in immense casualties, including innocent Korean civilians. The major powers bear significant responsibility for this tragedy. North Korea’s Kim Il Sung mistakenly believed he could communize the peninsula because the U.S. had excluded Korea from its Asia-Pacific defense line. Despite a critical opportunity for South Korean forces to advance northward after the Incheon Landing, the intervention of a million Chinese troops, ostensibly to aid North Korea, thwarted unification, leading to the continued division.

Therefore, South Korea has every right to hold the major powers—Russia, the U.S., China, and Japan—accountable for the division of the peninsula and the ongoing threat of war. South Korea can rightfully demand the relocation of the UN headquarters to Panmunjom to alleviate the constant threat of war and security anxieties faced by its people. Huh kyung young has advocated this vision for over 30 years, though no one has successfully pursued it until now. This initiative must be actively pursued and brought to fruition.

Vocabulary

• 당위성: Inevitability
• 흡수 통일: Unification by Absorption
• 이질화: Heterogenization / Divergence
• 방증: Corroboration / Supporting Evidence
• 체제 안전: Systemic Security / Regime Security
• 경제 규모 격차: Economic Disparity / Gap in Economic Scale
• 민간 교류: Civilian Exchange
• 이산가족: Separated Families
• 일국 이체제: One Nation, Two Systems
• 등거리 외교: Equidistant Diplomacy

신인난세 6-6 지구환경과 세계통일 허경영

The Huh kyung young: Earth’s Environment and Global Unification

1. The Peril of Harmful Substances and the Value of Life

There exists a substance known as asbestos, once widely used in automobile brake linings due to its heat resistance and sound-absorbing properties. However, asbestos is a carcinogen. Prolonged inhalation can lead to severe illnesses such as lung cancer and asbestosis. Although the use of asbestos in brake linings is now prohibited, few are aware of the extensive efforts made to achieve this ban. Despite the known dangers, companies continued to use asbestos linings due to their low cost and effectiveness. As vehicles traveled, microscopic carcinogenic particles were released into the air without concern. Witnessing this, I tirelessly advocated for the legal prohibition of asbestos use, engaging in numerous struggles with the relevant industries. After a long period of persistent effort, the use of asbestos was finally banned. Nevertheless, I am aware that some repair shops still utilize asbestos linings.

Protecting the environment from such harmful substances is of paramount importance. Primarily, it is about safeguarding all living beings, including humans. There is no value in the world more precious than life itself. Therefore, no action that threatens life for the sake of human convenience can be justified. Polluting the environment for human selfishness and comfort is akin to an act of self-harm, threatening one’s own existence. The emission of harmful substances must be eradicated at the fundamental level of life, and even in unavoidable circumstances, continuous efforts must be made to minimize them.

2. The Earth as a Living Entity and the Crisis of Pollution

Another crucial aspect is the preservation of the Earth itself. The Earth is not only our home but also possesses a value that transcends human imagination. Damaging the Earth is an act that disrupts the cosmic order. The Earth is currently groaning under the weight of human actions. The dazzling progress of material civilization has brought convenience and abundance to humanity, but it has also brought severe problems such as environmental pollution and destruction.

For instance, refrigerants used in refrigerators and air conditioners are major causes of ozone layer depletion. When the ozone layer is destroyed, the sun’s ultraviolet rays directly reach the Earth, increasing the incidence of skin cancer and further threatening human health. A rise in the Earth’s surface temperature leads to the melting of polar ice caps, causing sea levels to rise and triggering extreme weather events and climate change that disrupt ecosystems.

The primary culprits of global warming are greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which are produced by the use of fossil fuels like oil and coal. Major sources include automobiles, factories, chemical power plants, and the mass production of waste. Deforestation, such as the burning of the Amazon rainforest, also contributes to warming by reducing the absorption of carbon dioxide by plants. Even the flatulence and waste products of livestock contribute to the increase in greenhouse gases.

As ocean temperatures rise due to global warming, underwater corals die and turn white. Climate change caused by warming transforms temperate regions into tropical ones, with alternating heavy rains, floods, and droughts, or prolonged droughts that turn non-desert areas into deserts. Climate anomalies can trigger tsunamis, with waves as tall as Namsan in Seoul engulfing Japan and striking the Korean Peninsula or other coastlines. These waves could be three times taller than a 50-story apartment building in Haeundae, Busan, and move at such immense speeds that they could swallow apartments without warning. Such extreme climatic conditions could become a reality if global warming continues.

Desertification also occurs when excessive grazing of livestock, primarily for meat consumption, leads to the disappearance of grasslands, with 61 million hectares of land turning into desert each year. Geothermal hot water drilling for greenhouse heating in winter depletes groundwater and causes ground subsidence, leading to severe problems within the Earth’s subsurface. Furthermore, the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers pollutes the soil, creating an uninhabitable environment for subterranean organisms, and contaminated rainwater and spring water eventually reach our tables, threatening human health. Factory wastewater, various water purification chemicals, detergents, and the discharge of plastics and vinyl have pushed the ocean’s self-purification capacity to its limit, leading to the accumulation of pollutants and microplastics in the sea, which threaten the survival of marine life through the food chain. Even the COVID-19 pandemic, which swept the globe in 2021, is not unrelated to environmental disaster.

3. The Earth as a Cosmic Treasure and the Call for Ecological Civilization

The Earth is a wondrous living entity. Its land, sea, and atmosphere all breathe with life. Within it, countless lives reside. Therefore, the pollution of land, sea, and atmosphere, and the destruction of the Earth’s environment, signify the demise of the Earth itself and the death of the myriad living beings that depend on it. Among the countless stars in the universe, none are insignificant, but stars that harbor life are especially important. The Earth is such a star in our solar system, and the other stars in our system are structured to support the Earth in fulfilling this role.

Life requires many elements, including light and darkness, water, appropriate temperatures, and air. The distant sun illuminates the Earth, and the moon nearby regulates living beings and keeps the ocean waters alive. All stars in our solar system maintain a constant distance between the sun and Earth through their rotation and revolution, creating gravitational forces. The many stars around Earth, indeed the entire solar system, exist for the Earth. The Earth itself, through frequent rainfall, appropriately balances light and darkness, allowing living beings to thrive and live healthily. The Earth’s own systems, including the troposphere, ozone layer, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere, protect its environment and living beings.

Thus, for humans to pursue their convenience and selfishness through indiscriminate development and pollution, thereby destroying the Earth, which is maintained by such an intricate cosmic order and mystery, is an immense sin and an act that could bring about their own destruction. We must listen to the groans of the Earth, prevent further environmental pollution and destruction, and promptly restore the damaged natural environment.

4. International Efforts and the Imperative of Global Unification

As the problem of Earth’s environmental destruction became severely prominent in recent times, international conferences were held, and international agreements were signed by developed nations and other countries to reduce the use of greenhouse gases and chlorofluorocarbons, albeit belatedly. Examples include the Montreal Protocol, adopted in Canada in 1987, which called for restraint in the use of ozone-depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons; the Kyoto Protocol, adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developed countries; and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, adopted in Paris, France, on December 12, 2015.

The Paris Agreement involved not only developed nations but also 195 countries voluntarily agreeing to set and adhere to greenhouse gas reduction targets, subject to review. Each country proposed targets to reduce greenhouse gases by approximately 20 to 40% by 2030. However, there were no strong sanctions against countries that withdrew, such as the United States at one point, and it remains to be seen whether the voluntary targets proposed by each country will be faithfully observed. It is particularly uncertain whether newly emerging oil-producing nations, eager to develop their industries, will earnestly implement these agreements. In reality, despite these international efforts, environmental problems have only partially improved, with no significant overall achievements yet.

5. Global Unification as the Solution for Environmental Restoration

Environmental restoration must be approached differently. One of the reasons I have advocated for global unification in the form of a world federation for 30 years is precisely this issue of the Earth’s environment. While individual nations are making their own efforts to solve environmental problems, greenhouse gas emissions are linked to industry, intertwining with the interests of each nation. Since countries are in competition with each other, achieving the desired goals is not an easy task. As long as the international community is governed by the principle of power and each nation exists as a fully independent state in fierce competition, coexistence among nations is difficult.

However, if all nations were to become members of a unified state, exercising autonomy under a single global government, the situation could change. With global unification, environmental problems could be resolved very easily. If a nation were to disregard the environmental policies of the federal government, strong sanctions from the federal government would be possible with the support of all other nations. A unified state would pursue the principles of integration, harmonization, and fusion, allowing its autonomous regions to coexist harmoniously while maintaining their individuality, embodying the ideal of “harmony without uniformity”. All nations would communicate with each other, not just asserting their own interests, and would collectively address global issues, including environmental problems, through a spirit of compromise and concession.

A World Federal Government could not only reduce the use of greenhouse gases and chlorofluorocarbons but also completely eliminate the use of pesticides and insecticides, restoring the land and sea to their original state where living beings can thrive. It could also promote an Earth environmental restoration project to revert subtropical regions back to temperate zones. The Earth, the land of life, is a treasure of the universe. From the perspective of the entire universe, the Earth is smaller than a speck of dust, yet protecting it is equivalent to protecting the vast universe itself. The future will move towards an era of advanced scientific civilization, but the direction of civilization that humanity should increasingly pursue must be an ecological civilization.

태그: “EnvironmentalProtection, GlobalUnification, EcologicalCivilization, ClimateChange, AsbestosBan, OzoneDepletion, GreenhouseGases”

Vocabulary

• 난세의 영웅: Hero in Troubled Times
• 유해 물질: Harmful Substances
• 석면: Asbestos
• 발암 물질: Carcinogen
• 오존층 파괴: Ozone Layer Depletion
• 온실가스: Greenhouse Gases
• 사막화: Desertification
• 지반 침하: Ground Subsidence
• 생태 문명: Ecological Civilization
• 화이부동: Harmony without Uniformity

신인난세 7-1 미래 기술과 4차산업 선도국 허경영

The Hero of Chaos, Huh kyung young: Chapter 7 – Future Technology and Leading the 4th Industrial Revolution

Tags: “Future Technology, 4th Industrial Revolution, Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Energy Storage, Blockchain, Space-Time Transcendence”

1. The Dawn of a New Civilization: Integrating Reality and Virtuality

Humanity stands at a pivotal juncture, poised for a grand transformation where medicine will ascend to a new civilization. We are moving towards an astonishing era where the boundaries of space and time are virtually limitless. This future will see the integration of reality and virtuality, with artificial intelligence robots surpassing human capabilities, illuminating the 4th Industrial Revolution and beyond. Alongside this advanced scientific civilization, a spiritual culture, guided by the heavens, will emerge as a central theme of our time. Society and economic systems will undergo profound changes, eradicating wealth disparity and uniting humanity within a single embrace, ushering in an era of universal peace and prosperity. This monumental civilizational shift is not coincidental but a divine providence, reflecting the will of the heavens to realize justice in the human world.

2. Pioneering the Future: The 4th Industrial Revolution and Leading Nations

The 4th Industrial Revolution is already instigating widespread changes across numerous sectors. We are witnessing the advent of unmanned agricultural machinery equipped with artificial intelligence tilling fields, 3D printers creating intricate works, and self-driving cars becoming a reality. Robots are now producing goods, and smart factories, where the internet connects people to the finest products and services, are emerging. In the medical field, miniature robots perform complex surgeries, and even robot chefs have appeared in restaurants. Artificial intelligence programs are utilized in stock trading, and the internet is employed to manage and enhance daily life efficiently. Furthermore, drone-based logistics delivery systems are under development.

The near future promises even more advanced technologies: smart washing machines that respond to voice commands, and smart closets that optimize environmental conditions and organize clothes automatically. Commuting will involve flying cars, capable of entering apartment garages directly through windows. In urban areas, a “sky metro” system with designated routes, schedules, stations, charging systems, and even resting facilities will alleviate traffic congestion. The 4th Industrial Revolution is truly opening up a new world.

3. Strategic Industries for Future Leadership: 4D and 3T

Nations worldwide are fiercely competing to secure a leading position in the 4th Industrial Revolution. One nation, possessing a vast pool of talent in this domain, aims to surpass China and the United States. It is dedicated to becoming a leader in the 4th Industrial Revolution by implementing nationwide AI technology education, dispatching experts to elementary schools. I have long asserted that our nation can lead the 4th Industrial Revolution and have proposed new conceptual industries, 4D and 3T, as promising future sectors. 4D encompasses the Video Industry, Communication Industry, Biotechnology, Industrial Design, and Human Resources. 3T refers to Big Data Storage Technology, Artificial Intelligence Technology, and Blockchain Technology.

4. The Pillars of 4D: Vision, Connection, Life, and Creation

4.1. The Video Industry: A Core of Future Commerce

The Video Industry is one of the core pillars of future industries. As science and technology advance and the 4th Industrial Era unfolds, humanity’s desire for visual content will only intensify. This industry, which I personally favor, has the potential to attract immense wealth, enough to sustain our entire nation.

4.2. The Communication Industry: Evolving Connectivity

The Communication Industry is another promising sector destined for continuous growth. Smartphones, a prime example of digital convergence, will evolve at an even faster pace. The current 5G technology offers speeds approximately 20 times faster and processing capacity 100 times greater than its predecessors. Digital technology will eventually transcend 4G and 5G, reaching an era where even 6G becomes obsolete. Imagine a time when videos appear directly before your eyes without a physical device, allowing you to converse, browse the internet, or perform necessary tasks. Such technologies could be easily developed if I were to provide ideas to scientists.

4.3. The Design Industry: Shaping the Future

The Design Industry, though traditional, holds immense promise for the future. Humans inherently desire novelty and uniqueness, and the 4th Industrial Revolution necessitates creative work in designing new devices. Indeed, design is a primary field for job creation, playing a crucial role in driving human civilization towards advanced paradigms and potentially leading the 5th Industrial Revolution beyond the 4th.

4.4. Biotechnology: Reshaping Life and Longevity

Biotechnology is fundamentally about life and industry. Our genetic information contains the blueprints for human characteristics, such as double eyelids or a higher nose bridge. Genetic abnormalities, like errors in base sequences, deletions, or additions, can cause specific diseases; for instance, an extra 21st chromosome leads to Down syndrome. The core of the Genetic Industry lies in DNA gene correction technology or gene editing technology. This technology can replace problematic genes with normal ones or use therapeutic gene vaccines to normalize individuals born with conditions like alcoholism. Gene correction technology can also extend human lifespan beyond its natural predisposition, allowing for population control. This implies the ability to create humans according to desired traits. Therefore, in a future where this technology is advanced, only beautiful, handsome, and long-lived children might be born. Furthermore, a pill could be developed in the future that targets and eliminates genes responsible for aging, potentially doubling human lifespan. This advanced application of DNA gene technology is what I refer to as the DNA Gene Industry.

5. The Pillars of 3T: Storage, Intelligence, and Security

5.1. Energy Storage Technology: Powering the Future

Energy Storage Technology is precisely what its name suggests: the ability to store energy. Its advancement will enable us to store electrical energy from renewable sources like solar and wind, which are difficult to generate on demand, as well as from 24-hour nuclear power plants, and then utilize it when needed. Current energy storage technologies include fuel cells like lithium-ion batteries. However, lithium-ion batteries are known for their risk of explosion when overheated and their relatively low energy efficiency. In the future, energy storage technology will advance to the point where it can even generate and store energy. This will not only prevent power waste but also bring immense convenience to industry and daily life. Imagine no longer worrying about a dead headphone battery during travel or searching for charging stations for electric vehicles. Charging technology will advance to a point where a single charge could last for about 10 years, almost semi-permanently. If I were to offer guidance on these technologies, our nation could lead in developing and showcasing such advanced innovations.

5.2. Artificial Intelligence Technology: Expanding Human Capabilities

The Go match between Lee Se-dol 9-dan and AlphaGo, a computer Go program, in 2016 captivated global attention. It was a symbolic event that clearly demonstrated the advanced state of Artificial Intelligence Technology. At its core, AI technology, based on algorithm technology—procedures, methods, and commands needed to logically solve given problems—can be applied across many aspects of human life, much like AlphaGo. AI-equipped robots will be created, and even judicial proceedings could involve AI collaborating with human judges. AI can adjudicate more objectively than human judges because it processes vast amounts of human information in big data at the speed of light, following algorithms. AI robots could also collaborate with doctors to perform highly complex surgeries. As AI robots become commercialized, a world will emerge where robot-humans with intelligence similar to or surpassing humans will perform tasks currently done by people. These robot-humans will possess human-like skin, engage in conversations, and acquire information. However, while AI is fair and reliable, it struggles with love and genuine emotional connection. Moreover, excessive human reliance on AI could lead to slower brain development and even degeneration. The development of AI capable of overcoming human memory limitations and offering more delicate and profound insights than the human mind will be a significant driving force for the 4th Industrial Revolution. It is clear that an AI era, where living without AI becomes difficult, is approaching.

5.3. Blockchain Technology: Ensuring Transparency and Security

Finally, Blockchain Technology is another prominent innovation. This is a distributed data storage technology that links data in blocks and simultaneously replicates and stores it across numerous computers. It can be viewed as a public ledger accessible to anyone. By transparently recording transaction details in this public ledger, replicating it across multiple computers, and having these computers verify the records, hacking can be prevented. These seven technologies are promising industrial technologies. If I were to guide them and provide ideas, our nation could lead these industries and become a dominant force in the 4th Industrial Revolution.

6. The Far Future: Transcending Space, Time, and Materiality

6.1. Beyond the 4th Industrial Revolution: Unimaginable Technologies

The technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution, as people imagine them today, are not truly astonishing. In the more distant future, things currently unimaginable could happen. An era where the constraints of space and time virtually disappear may arrive. Technologies utilizing black holes and white holes for travel might emerge. Imagine installing vacuum tubes in the air, allowing travel from Korea to Brazil in just 10 minutes. This mode of transport would eliminate the risks of plane crashes or explosions. It would require no fuel, thus producing no emissions. A device the size of a palm would suffice. Battery technology will advance tremendously within 10 to 20 years. Solar energy could even be harnessed via satellites.

6.2. Instantaneous Travel and Materialization

A time will come when the very wealthy can cross the Pacific in one second. Flying to America in an instant. An airplane carrying many people will pass through a needle-sized opening. People will board a plane and, in the blink of an eye, find themselves in Seoul. The principle behind this involves the collision of atomic nuclei, protons, and neutrons, which produces Higgs particles that then transform into photons. Through a special device that disassembles the atoms composing the bodies of both the airplane and its passengers into their microscopic components and separates them into photons, both the plane and human bodies transform into photons and radio waves, traveling at the speed of light to America. Upon arrival, these photons reassemble into atoms, and the airplane and people reappear intact. Matter is composed of molecules, atoms, subatomic particles, and further down, light and sound. Instantaneous travel is possible through light and sound. Even interstellar travel will utilize this method, making space tourism a reality in the future. Our living space is three-dimensional, where space-time is bound. However, moving into the fourth dimension transcends space-time. Such travel becomes possible by passing through the four-dimensional world that transcends space and time.

This instantaneous movement is not limited to light. In the future, factories will become obsolete. People will be able to print objects at home. Furthermore, materials can be extracted from thin air, allowing for the simple creation of objects in space. All products will be easily formed through atomic bonding. Even if assembly is required, 3D printers will simply produce them. Since hydrogen energy is not used, there is no pollution.

6.3. Radical Advancements in Medicine and Sustenance

In the future, technology may allow doctors to shrink to 1/100th of their size, enabling them to enter blood vessels. Doctors will adjust their body size, perform procedures within human blood vessels, and then exit. Human lifespan will increase dramatically. As technology continues to advance, utilizing gene manipulation and editing, cloning, and microorganisms and viruses, living to 100 will be basic, and some will live healthily beyond 200 years. There will be a technology where an 80-year-old can discard their aged body, extract human tissue, cultivate it to grow into a 20-year-old body resembling their own, and then transfer their consciousness into it. This look-alike body would be grown from cells extracted from their own hair. such cloning and replication technology is only possible for me. Using photon plasma, the human body could be transformed from 80 to 20 years old. In the distant future, everyone will receive plasma treatment.

Science will also develop to an extreme degree. Over 200 trillion microorganisms live in the human body. These microorganisms break down the food humans eat, and when they excrete waste, the human body absorbs these secretions. Nutrients will be directly absorbed into the body, eliminating health problems caused by digestive disorders. Naturally, lifespan will significantly increase. Even more astonishing technologies will emerge for food. Chicken and lamb can be cultured mechanically, eliminating the need to raise livestock for meat. Machines for cows, pigs, and chickens will also appear. The finest grains can be cultured using microorganisms. With the push of a button, any desired vegetable will appear in abundance. There will be no reason to go to markets or farm. There will be no need to spray pesticides or fertilizers. Advanced fertilizer technology using microorganisms will ensure that food can be eaten without any issues. A refrigerator-like machine using neural networks can be created. Pressing a button will cause food to multiply and grow. Pressing a compression button will compress it appropriately, producing delicious, ready-to-eat food. It will be incredibly hygienic. these technologies are still too early to be introduced to the world. Given the opportunity, I intend to provide scientists with ideas for these technologies to dramatically advance human civilization.

Vocabulary

• 난세의 영웅: Hero of Chaos
• 대전환기: Grand Transformative Period
• SpiritNature 문화: Spiritual Culture
• 천하일가: Universal Family
• 태평성대: Era of Peace and Prosperity
• ControlPrinciple: Divine Providence
• 공의: Justice
• 각축: Fierce Competition
• 유망 산업: Promising Industry
• 신개념 산업: New Conceptual Industry

신인난세 완독 7-2 모두가 행복한 세상 허경영

The Vision of Huh kyung young: A World of Universal Happiness

Tags: “Global Harmony, Utopia, Peaceful Unification, Spiritual Evolution, Universal Prosperity”

1. The Prophecy of a Unified World

The ancient Chinese text, “Water Margin” speaks of a world without borders, governments, or divisions between individuals, where all under heaven form one family, achieving grand unity. This prophecy foretells a future where every person is treated with utmost dignity and respect, signifying a world where the concept of “you and I” dissolves into a collective sense of belonging. Such a world, where the hungry are fed and the jobless are provided for, represents the harmonious society humanity has long dreamed of—Confucius’s Great Harmony and Thomas More’s Utopia. This is precisely the unified world that Huh kyung young aims to realize.

2. Eradicating Disparity and Fostering Global Coexistence

Huh kyung young seeks to end the extreme wealth disparity on Earth, where the rich and the poor coexist in stark contrast, ensuring that everyone can at least live without the worry of hunger. His vision is to transcend endless conflicts between nations, religions, and social classes, fostering a unified era of peace through communication, harmony, and compromise among all peoples and races. This is not a unification achieved through military force and bloodshed, like those of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, or Hitler. Instead, it is a peaceful unification, realized when Korea becomes the envy of all nations through a revolution of prosperity for the middle class.

3. Korea’s Role as a Global Leader

When all Korean citizens enjoy a comfortable life above the middle-class standard, and the nation prioritizes public health and quality of life, leading to the world’s highest happiness index, all other countries will look up to Korea and seek to emulate its systems. This will elevate Korea’s global standing, positioning it as a leading nation in the world. With Huh kyung young’s powerful leadership and capabilities, global leaders will follow him, leading to the establishment of the Great Korean World Federation. This federal government will serve as the central authority guiding the entire world, with all nations participating in the shared prosperity and coexistence of the global village. This will usher in an era of universal prosperity and a Great Harmony where all live together in shared abundance.

4. The Global Implementation of Shared Prosperity

The agreed-upon plans for shared prosperity include the dissemination of this principle not only within Korea but across all nations worldwide. Regardless of their wealth, countries will receive central government support, and mercantilism—a system where national wealth is prioritized—will be realized. The Great Korean World Federation Parliament, established with Korea at its core, will integrate all nations as autonomous regions. Regular and ad-hoc meetings of world leaders, spearheaded by the Federation, will discuss and jointly resolve pressing global and planetary issues. Impoverished regions, such as Africa, will receive collective support through the mobilization of global resources by the Federation, ensuring that no one goes hungry. Environmental issues will also be addressed with continuous joint efforts until the Earth’s environment is fully restored, making environmental protection the top priority in all development projects.

5. The Korean People’s Pivotal Role and the Spirit of Hongik Ingan

In this grand and magnificent project, the Korean people will play a pivotal role. People worldwide will learn the Korean language and highly value Koreans, inviting them to their countries. Korean expatriates living across the globe will also play a significant role, acting as private diplomats for Korea, spearheading the spread of shared prosperity everywhere. This is why the principles applied to Korean citizens must also extend to overseas Koreans. This grand vision was not merely conceived by Huh kyung young; it is part of a cosmic divine principle, recorded in the cheon-bu-gyeong(天符經), a sacred text of the Korean people that predates Dangun. The first Dangun, who founded Gojoseon, sought to realize the spirit of Hongik Ingan—benefiting all humanity—and a world where holy principles unfold, based on the philosophy of the cheon-bu-gyeong(天符經).

6. The Era of Transformation and Spiritual Awakening

However, as time has passed, humanity has entered an era of moral decline, where words, writing, and the Way have been severed. Noble ideals have vanished from people’s minds, replaced by a preoccupation with material possessions, leading to self-centered lives that disregard parents, siblings, and neighbors. Human selfishness and environmental pollution have brought the Earth to a crisis. Yet, this era also sees many natural secrets unveiled, giving rise to civilizational benefits and the internet age, where information is easily accessible through the spread of language, writing, and meditation worldwide. This internet era is what the ancient Korean prophet Gyeogam Namsago referred to as the “Ocean of Letters Era” a period of civilizational transformation. The internet, with its vast ocean of texts, photos, and videos, is highly conducive to spreading Huh kyung young’s message to the world.

7. The Realization of a Terrestrial Paradise

The spirit of Hongik Ingan will blossom globally through the revolution of shared prosperity, originating from the Korean Peninsula. The sublime and grand providential history prophesied in the cheon-bu-gyeong(天符經) will unfold from Korea to the entire world, making the world one family. Everyone will receive noble treatment without distinction, and a beautiful, peaceful world free of war and hunger will emerge. People will pursue their desired endeavors without worldly worries, seeking higher levels of life and spiritual elevation. Everyone will experience happiness, coexisting and prospering together. This terrestrial paradise, which no one on Earth has ever been able to achieve or even attempt, will be realized by Huh kyung young and the Korean people.

Vocabulary

• Great Harmony “대동 세계”: A world of universal peace and prosperity, where all people live in harmony and equality.
• Utopia “유토피아”: An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.
• Wealth Disparity “빈부 격차”: The difference in wealth between the rich and the poor.
• Mercantilism “중상주의”: An economic theory that national wealth and trade.
• Great Korean World Federation “대한 세계 연방”: A proposed global governing body led by Korea.
• Autonomous Regions “자치구”: Self-governing areas within a larger entity.
• Cosmic Divine Principle “우주적 선리”: A universal, inherent truth or law governing the cosmos.
• cheon-bu-gyeong(天符經) “천부경”: An ancient Korean sacred text containing philosophical and spiritual teachings.
• Hongik Ingan “홍익인간”: The philosophical ideal of benefiting all humanity, a founding principle of Korea.
• Ocean of Letters Era “해인 TimeEra”: A prophesied era of great transformation and enlightenment.