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๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Culture & Society

Former Acting Chief Justice Criticizes Ruling Party's Divisive Language

From Hankyoreh · (5m ago) Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Former acting chief justice of the Constitutional Court, Moon Hyung-bae, criticized some ruling party leaders for using divisive language.
  • He made the remarks during a book talk event at 'Pyeongsan Bookshop,' run by former President Moon Jae-in, emphasizing the importance of using inclusive language for persuasion.
  • Moon argued that ruling parties must take responsibility for outcomes and use unifying language, contrasting this with the opposition's tendency to blame others.

In a nation often grappling with political polarization, the words of former acting chief justice Moon Hyung-bae, speaking at the 'Pyeongsan Bookshop' hosted by former President Moon Jae-in, resonate deeply. His critique of certain ruling party leaders for employing divisive rhetoric strikes a chord with many South Koreans who yearn for more constructive political discourse. Moon's emphasis on the 'language of persuasion' and the necessity for the ruling party to embrace 'the ethics of responsibility' over 'the ethics of conviction' offers a thoughtful perspective on how to bridge divides.

Some of the ruling party leadership are using divisive language.

โ€” Moon Hyung-baeMoon Hyung-bae, former acting chief justice of the Constitutional Court, criticizing the current political climate during a book talk event.

Moon's analogy of using a 'conservative language to speak of progressive values' during his time as a judge, which he claims led to successful persuasion and an 8-0 verdict in a past impeachment trial, highlights a strategic approach to communication. This perspective is particularly relevant in South Korea, where political factions often speak past each other. His call for 'unifying language' and a shared set of principles, even when criticizing one's own party members, underscores a desire for a more cohesive political community.

If you persuade someone in a language they are familiar with, their resistance will decrease.

โ€” Moon Hyung-baeMoon Hyung-bae explaining his approach to persuasion, drawing from his experience as a judge.

The former justice's observation that the ruling party should not grant 'immunity from criticism' (๊นŒ๋ฐฉ๊ถŒ) to its own members, even for perceived good deeds, is a sharp critique of a political culture that can sometimes excuse transgressions based on party loyalty. This point is crucial for understanding the dynamics of South Korean politics, where such practices can undermine public trust and hinder genuine social integration. Moon's message, delivered in the presence of the former president, serves as a powerful reminder of the need for principled leadership and inclusive dialogue in navigating the nation's complex political landscape.

I believe I used 'conservative language to speak of progressive values' during my time as a judge, and that message was understood.

โ€” Moon Hyung-baeMoon Hyung-bae reflecting on his past judicial communication strategies.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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