[Letters] A little respect would go a long way in the National Assembly

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[Letters] A little respect would go a long way in the National Assembly



On New Year’s Eve, I turned on the TV as usual, and a scene caught my eye. It was the members of the National Assembly using physical force on each other. At that moment everything was ready to greet the new year but the National Assembly still seemed to be stuck in 2009.

The scene disgusted me. I said “Mom, I would rather quit studying now if I were to become a politician who uses physical force.” I just could not understand the violence and I could somehow see the greed from their attitudes and actions.

I believe that members of the National Assembly should be respected; not only as a member of the National Assembly but also as a representative of Korean politics.

It is undeniable that they have put great effort into becoming a member of the National Assembly. Also as a democracy based nation, they stand in the National Assembly on behalf of Korean citizens. But how can they be revered when they are creating such a scene for me to see on TV?

The so-called “elites,” the representatives of Korea, are using physical force in the National Assembly - what a shame. Isn’t the National Assembly supposed to be the last place where one should see violence?

As a student I do not know much about politics. Maybe partly because I do not have a great interest in it and partly because I am busy preparing for the college entrance exam. My friends and I don’t know much about politics but we surely agree upon one thing: Korean politics are wild. That’s what a lot of adults say.

Some adults criticize Korean politics and I accept their viewpoints without questioning. It is scenes like the one that I saw on New Year’s Eve that makes me agree with them that Korean politics are out of control and not civilized. And I know that I am not alone among students in feeling this way.

Members of the National Assembly should learn to accept the differences among each other in 2010. Every conflict is based on differences. Everybody has different perspectives and different pursuits in politics. It is important to have ideals and opinions that you strongly believe in, but it is more essential to admit differences between people. Accepting a different point of view will naturally lead to deliberation.

I’m not going to say something ambiguous and pointless such as “I hope for a brighter future in politics.” That’s because I’ve seen these ridiculous scenes in the National Assembly over the past years and I know that the New Year’s Eve conflict is not going to be the last one I see on TV.

On behalf of all students, however, the next time I turn on TV, I would like to at least see something that makes me have some interest in politics.

Kim Kee-won,

Bundang Youngduk Girl’s High School
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