[VOTE] S. Koreans want new president to mend broken public heart

By Park Sae-jin Posted : May 10, 2017, 13:31 Updated : May 10, 2017, 16:48

[Photo by Namkung Jinwoong = timeid@ajunews.com]


Many South Korean voters want President Moon Jae-in to mend a broken public heart which has deepened in the course of ousting his predecessor after an election ended a 10-year-long rule by conservative leaders.

In a survey of 3,352 voters who cast ballots on Tuesday, 51.3 percent said that the next president should focus on rehabilitating national harmony while 45.6 percent called for top priority on eradicating corruption and other bad practices.

A corruption scandal involving ex-president Park Geun-hye has aggravated an emotional conflict between generations. In Tuesday's election, many old people voted for a conservative candidate associated with Park while younger people picked Moon.

The division was so clear that Moon would have to pledge hard work on achieving harmony in his first address celebrating his victory.

"It's time for us to put behind political preferences and emotions and reunite to build a better country," Kang Hyun-jong, a 45-year-old salesman, told Aju News. "The color theory or political theory does not quite fit into the current situation. It could settle as a strong emotional feud between generations."

A political conflict was everywhere and hit many ordinary households. "My father was a pro-Park conservative. He has not said a word to me since I supported Moon about two months ago," said Lee Jeong-ok, a 40-year old businesswoman. "We've had similar conflicts before but this time, I think he is very angry at me."

Jung Kyu-min, a 36-year-old convenient store owner, said: "On the voting day, my mother called and asked me not to vote because she knew I was supporting a liberal candidate. However, I voted anyways."

Apparently aware of the social situation, Moon promised to become a president with broad support and embrace his opponents.

"There are no winners or losers in this election," said the president during his inauguration ceremony Wednesday. "We are all partners faced with a big task of creating the new South Korea. We must join hand to hand to take a step forward."

"From now, I will be the people's president. I will devote myself to serve every citizen," Moon said. "I will boldly break away from bad customs of the old times. I, myself, will start as a totally new president."

Park Sae-jin = swatchsjp@ajunews.com

 
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