It's just eleven days away: The day South Koreans will head to the polls to elect a
new president.
It's a snap presidential election that precipitated from the impeachment of an ex-president over
an alleged bribery scandal.
To help you better analyze each candidate and their policy pledges, we've been meeting
with the leading contenders this week.
And, based on the number of parliamentary seats...
Today, I sit down with Ahn Cheol-soo, presidential nominee of the People's Party.
I want to get a bit personal with this question.
So, you are a medical doctor, a software programmer, an IT entrepreneur - a very successful one,
too - a university professor, and a politician.
That's unusual in and of itself but now, you're running to take on one of the toughest jobs
I can think of especially now than ever.
The president of the Republic of Korea.
Why?
When I was working at a university as a professor, a student came to see me one day.
As he confided in me his worries, he shed tears.
I jumped into politics because I no longer wanted see young Koreans cry.
It was then that I made up my mind to do my part in making this country
a better place to live.
The Korean peninsula at the moment is under the international radar.
There's been a rapid escalation of tensions in this part of the world.
Continuous provocations by the North Korean regime.
What is your policy vis-a-vis Pyongyang?
Ahn: Right.
The most critical issue facing the Republic of Korea today is North Korea's nuclear program.
In order to resolve this important security issue, we must work with our ally, the United
States.
But, there is also the China factor.
I believe it is only right for South Korea to actively explain our situation to China.
That much diplomatic effort must be made.
We need to explain to China that when it comes to security issues, it's only natural for
us to work with the U.S. and our allies and that tensions on the Korean peninsula will
only mean harm for China's national interest as well.
Therefore, for the sake of both Korea and China, we should take a two-track approach
in separating the economy and national security.
I think this should be the ultimate goal for Korea's diplomacy.
On the diplomatic front - South Korea not in the best situation currently.
There is a new president in the White House - very different from the last president with
a seemingly different approach to the North Korea issue.
There is China to the north, in a clash of interest with South Korea.
How would you best situate yourself so that South Korea puts the best foot forward in
this complex relationship?
Looking back in history, the Korean peninsula suffered every time there was a change in
dynamics between the superpowers.
We're at the juncture of a change in dynamics right now and I believe the Republic of Korea
has emerged as an attractive middle power.
Not only are we now able to pioneer our own destiny, I believe we can even play an active
mediator role in U.S., China conflict.
As for U.S. President Donald Trump, he and I are both businessmen and alumni of Wharton
School of Business.
I'm sure we will have a lot in common as soon as we kick off our dialogue.
Such is the case for China, as well.
I went school in the U.S. and I've done business in China and Japan.
I've worked on various projects with the Chinese government.
I will make the best use of such experience and try to take a leading role in our diplomatic
relations with the U.S. and China.
Economic growth and jobs.
I think it's an issue that comes up every election season and not only here but all
across the globe.
Having been a young entrepreneur yourself, having been a CEO of a startup… having been
part of that world yourself, do you have a blueprint of how you would steer Asia's fourth-largest
economy so that the benefits will trickle down to the ordinary people, too?
Different politicians have varying views on the role politics cay play on the economy.
Some say, "I will revive the economy.
I will create jobs."
I disagree with them.
If politics could directly boost the economy, how can we explain Japan's 20-year-long recession
even after injecting all that money?
I do not believe it's something politics can do.
In other words, it's the private sector that can create jobs or boost the economy.
The government's role is to create a strong foundation on which the private sector and
companies can perform well.
Then, what is that foundation?
I believe it's the following three: One, nurturing creative minds through the right kind of education.
Two, proper investment in science and technology so that we can possess leading-edge science
and technology.
And, three, creating an environment where fair competition is possible and anyone with
talent and capability can succeed.
#CG1 CG
1.
Education reform to nurture creative minds 2.
Proper investment in science and technology 3.
Environment that allows fair competition
If we can create such an environment where there are plenty of talented minds, leading-edge
science and technology and fair competition, many Koreans will be hopeful enough to take
on new challenges.
This, I believe, will breathe life into the economy.
This is my vision of the government's role in revitalizing the Korean economy.
Now, my final question - a common question to all candidates.
What is your edge over others?
Why does the Republic of Korea need Ahn Cheol-soo as president in 2017?
You cannot become the president of a country because you want the job.
Nor is it handed to you because you're prepared for the job.
It's only when you are demanded by the age, the era that you become the president.
Only when the people decide that you are the one who can properly reflect and realize the
spirit of that age, are you given presidency.
Then, what do the Korea people want from the next administration?
I believe it's these three.
One, a government that can best prepare the country for the future.
Two, a competent government.
And, three, one that can unite the people, the country.
#CG2 CG
1.
Government that can best prepare for the future 2.
Government that is competent and capable 3.
Government that can unite the people, the country
We are now in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
One characteristic of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is that it's unpredictable.
Therefore, it can easily head in the wrong direction if the government creates a plan
beforehand and lead that way.
Rather, this is the age where the government's role is to provide support from the behind.
Instead of making decisions for the private sector and taking the lead, the government
should give them independence and freedom to make their business decisions and the government
back them up.
This is the kind of government that best prepares for the future.
The same applies to government competence.
Proficiency isn't something you can just verbally claim.
Rather, the presidential candidate must be able to prove his or her competence by their
past achievements.
I am a medical doctor, information technology scientist, entrepreneur, and professor-turned-politician.
I have proven my competence in all five areas.
I have written success stories in all five.
These will serve as a yardstick in deciding which government led by which candidate will
be most capable.
Voters should be able to learn what all presidential candidates have achieved and how they have
proven their competence.
It should be written into a chart as these are objective facts.
Finally, a government that unites all
people isn't one that tries to make others believe in what it believes.
Democracy is acknowledging that people have different views and through constant communication
and democratic process, a decision is drawn up.
And, that decision is respected and accepted.
What is democracy?
It's the wisdom to live with people who have different views.
From that perspective, I believe a candidate who is trapped in political faction cannot
break free from those boundaries.
Instead of uniting the country, he/she will further divide people.
I don't think it's too difficult to judge which candidate is part of a specific faction
and which candidate can properly unite the nation.
From that point of view, I believe these are the three keywords for the next administration:
Future, competence, and unity.
If that is the case, I am confident that I am the right person for the job.
Ahn: Yea.
Ahn: Thank you.