0524 10.03.17

페이스북에 입력한 글.

Although I generally disavow all the gung-ho expressions of nationalistic sentiments or jingoistic flag-waving (my whole 'KOREA STRONGK' remark is a banter after all), I wave this flag with nothing but proudness and honour today.

Amid the unprecedented political scandal, Asia's one of the youngest democracy have exhibited nothing but outstanding maturity that no other democracy could possibly have shown. Millions of ordinary citizens; our parents, our friends, our very own brothers and sisters, have expressed their anger peacefully, yet powerfully. The impeachment process was overseen accordingly to Korea's very constitution, which thousands of people have gave their lives for. The investigation was done fairly and thoroughly without granting any sort of political exoneration to those who were involved. And finally, the Constitution Court have judged based on facts that have so far been revealed, making a valid and sound constitutional interpretation.

During this arduous time that left Koreans feeling betrayed, frustrated and angry, Korean democracy have learnt many invaluable lessons. Just as the Special Prosecutor Team's investigation explicitly outlines so, Korea faces many acute challenges. Collusion between politics and conglomerates; chaebeol, constitutional weakness in the current system with overly empowered President, intransparency in Korean statecraft - and the list continues. Today's verdict to impeach the inept and corrupt President will not suddenly mark a beginning of a new utopian era. However, Korean society's collective experience today will serve as a watershed moment to address ingrained problems in the system, and step forward in years to follow.

In past 70 years since the establishment of modern Korean state, Korea have had a gut-wrenching civil war, one quasi-dictatorship and two military dictatorships.

In those grim times, those who stood against the peril and tyranny were ordinary Koreans. Our grandparents, and our parents have not gave up in face of injustice, and eventually brought the downfalls of those tyrannical regimes. Now, history is being made, with our generation continuing the mission that has been inherited from our parents and grandparents' generations to protect and better the justice we stand for.

Today, I believe in the Korean democracy. I believe in Korean people's ability to stand up against injustice. I believe in Korean society's ability to fix the problems we have, and create a better future.

I shall end this writing quoting one of the justice from the Constitutional Court in his verdict on the case of the impeachment of our ex-President.

'“지도자가 위법한 행위를 했어도 용서한다면 어떻게 백성에게 바르게 하라고 하겠는가(犯禁蒙恩何爲正).”라는 옛 성현의 지적이 있다. 대통령을 비롯한 지도자의 준법을 강조하는 말이다. 따라서 대통령의 법 위반 행위는 일반국민의 위법행위보다 헌법질서에 미치는 부정적 영향이 크다고 할 것이므로 엄중하게 대처해야 한다.

우리와 우리 자손이 살아가야 할 대한민국은 인간의 존엄과 가치를 존중하고 국민의 기본권을 최대한 보장함으로써, 국민 모두가 자유롭고 평등하며 안전하고 풍요로운 가운데 행복한 삶을 영위하는 나라이다.

그런데 이 사건 심판청구를 기각한다면, 앞으로 대통령이 이 사건과 유사한 방법으로 헌법과 법률을 위반해도 파면 결정을 할 수 없게 된다. 그 결과 비선조직이 강력한 대통령 권력에 기대어 고위공직자의 인사와 국가정책의 결정에 개입하여 사익을 취하거나 또는 대통령이 영향력을 행사하여 대기업으로 하여금 자신이 주도하는 재단에 기금을 출연하도록 하는 등의 위법행위가 있다 하더라도 우리 사회가 이를 용인해야 하고 이에 따른 정경유착 등 정치적 폐습은 확대•고착될 우려가 있다. 이는 현재의 헌법질서에 부정적 영향을 주는 것일 뿐만 아니라 나아가 우리 헌법이 지향하는 이념적 가치와도 충돌한다.'

“There is a teaching of the sages that says; “If the leaders are pardoned despite of their unjust acts, how could one guide the people to act justly.” This phrase was meant to emphasise the importance of the law-abidingness of leaders such as the President. Hence, the violation of law by the President should be interpreted to have larger negative impacts on the constitutional order than that of ordinary citizens.

The Republic of Korea that we and our descendants shall live on, is a state which respects the integrity and value of humans, and is a state where all citizens live a free, equal, safe, prosperous and happy life.

However if this appeal is to be dismissed, it will become impossible to draw a verdict of expulsion even when the similar case is to arise in the future. As a result, it will enable certain cartels to exploit the President’s executive power to pursue one’s interest by intervening into the state running, or further consolidate evil customs such as collusion between politics and businesses. Not only inflicting damages on our constitutional order, but this conflicts with the ideological values that our constitution stands for.'

So today, the flag stands and waves proudly.

펄-럭.