[EDITORIALS]Irresponsible criticism

As the administration’s term nears its end, strange voices have been heard from its ranks. People who used to be its major figures have been offering repentance, remorse and criticism of insiders. If people try to admit their wrongdoings and start afresh that’s good. However, when looking at those who are making confessions, one naturally wonders why they did not have the courage to warn the administration before now. Is their repentance genuine or more like rats leaving a sinking ship?
Yesterday another confession was made by a governing party member who had secured a seat under the proportional representation system and also served as the minister of commerce, industry and energy and vice minister of finance and economy. He said “Things were going in the wrong direction, but I did not point it out even though that was my duty as an expert.” He also said, “I did nothing but politics as usual.” He even used extreme phrases such as “bitter repentance” and “cowardice and dereliction of my duties.” National Assemblymen who used to be experts in a range of fields and received their seats under the proportional representation system have a duty to monitor the administration using their professional expertise. But this lawmaker failed to fulfill his duties for two years and now criticizes officials in charge of the economy. Looking at his confession, he seems be the one who should resign from the National Assembly.
Another Uri Lawmaker who used to be the chairman of the Hyundai Motor Company resigned from the post of chief secretary to Uri Party Chairman Kim Geun-tae. He said, “The ruling party and the administration are in a crisis. And if I keep the job as secretary I cannot speak freely.” He then criticized the president and the governing party. Chairman Kim, who used to be a democracy activist, employed him for the sake of checks and balances. This businessman-turned-lawmaker contributed to Mr. Kim’s policy of encouraging business to invest more. But why must he suddenly resign? If he had things to say he should have stayed inside the party and said them there, no matter how hard that might have been.
That is the same with the governing party leaders. Chairman Kim, former party chairman Chung Dong-young, and former floor leader Chun Jung-bae have recently been practicing self-criticism. However, there is no one who says they will take responsibility and retire from politics. They just seem to change their colors so they can run for the presidency.