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Interview with Park Tae-woo (D-87), chief legislative assistant to Rhee In-je
Call to design a new framework for Korea
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A
secretary is one of the familiar and important jobs. It is believed
that Nixon, a former president of U.S. said that the second most important
person in a man¡¯s life, following his wife, is his secretary. Aides,
who are secretaries of politicians, are also important, and they need
exceptional analysis abilities and broad knowledge on various fields.
The Argus interviewed Park Tae-woo (D-87), a chief legislative assistant
to Rhee In-je, Head of Vice President of The United Liberal Democrats.
He gave a first impression that he was full of confidence. He introduced
himself saying he was a member of the University Student Interpreters¡¯
Association (USIA). He joined it in his second year, and was a vice-president
while he was a junior, and a president in the fourth year. Acting
as an interpreter in the field, he never received allowance from his
parents. It is no exaggeration to say that his club life was his school
life.
Actually, he started his university life at Korea University. After
being discharged from military service, he entered HUFS, dreaming
that he would be a diplomat. He also wanted to be a politician, so
he entered the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy. He won
a grand prize at the speech and oratorical contests for university
students, sponsored by Kyunghee University.
He entered The Graduate Institute of Peace Studies as requested by
Kyunghee University. He said that the course was lectured in English
and that it was the only one of its kind in Korea at that time. He
earned a doctorate degree in International Politics and Economics
and earned scholarships for the entire program from the British.
He loves English, so he has studied hard until now. When he was a
middle school student, he used to memorize textbooks. When he was
a high school student, he tried to memorized a small dictionary by
heart, so his nickname was English Park. These days, he watches CNN
broadcasting for about an hour, no matter how busy he is. He is going
to participate in the Korea Herald Speech Contest on October 10. He
also often spoke in English during the interview.
After getting his doctorate degree, he returned to Korea and came
back to work for the Ministry of Trade Industry and Energy. He was
scouted as a diplomat. Some time later, as the ministry was divided
into the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and Trade, he was allocated to the latter and naturally
he had worked as a diplomat.
He was, however, proposed to work as chief legislative assistant to
Rhee In-je and resigned the ministry position, which became an object
of envy. He felt a call to a politician and took the proposal because
he had interest in politics. This paved the way for his political
life.
His political ideas bent right-of-the-center. He does not think that
it is right risking our national interests that are related internationally
that people cry out abstract slogans, such as dictatorship, anti-Americanism,
and so forth. He also said that Korea does not say negative things
that implant an illusion about North Korea discussing democracy and
unification.
He said, ¡°It is a very dangerous dreamy though people believe that
it is possible that N.K. has nuclear weapons.¡± He holds a realistic
point of view about Korea. He said that the possibility would threaten
international politics, and it could destroy our right to the pursuit
of happiness. He thinks the government¡¯s job in the democratic market
is to make a good market environment for companies.
He had even lectured at HUFS, Duksung Women¡¯s University, Sookmyung
Women¡¯s University, and Kookmin University. He taught students the
subjects related to politics, unification, North Korea, and so on.
Today, he teaches European Policy Theory at Chungnam National University.
He is also a poet. He has enjoyed writing with various kinds of imagination
since he was a little boy living in rural area. When he was writing
his Ph.D dissertation, his poem won and entered the International
Poetry Hall of Fame. He became an honorary trustee of International
Society of Poets since the entry of his poem.
He also received a Korean Literature and Art New Figure Award in the
poetry division. He has published four collections of poems and is
going to publish his fifth one. Among them, his favorite poem is ¡°If
you call me.¡± His poems include his political color. He said that
he would compose poems all his life.
It makes his heart hurt to see people becoming more and more indifferent;
it is very foolish that people do not have concerns about politics
because they think politicians are immoral and dishonorable. He defined
politics as making reasonable structures living our life and a room
including moral, system, and custom. It is economy that fills the
room. For example, demonstrating labors are discontented towards the
system. That is, the people can pursue their happiness when politics
works well.
He suggested having interest in politics in life, for instance, through
internet and newspapers. He considers politicians as a designer who
design frame of a country. One of politicians¡¯ roles is to discuss
the nation matters with the people and to politic along with making
politics a part of our life. A politician is a job that is made by
the people.
He was concerned about Korea, looking out the window. He said he would
run for the National Assembly. Maybe, HUFSans can see him as a politician.
He did not give an advice to HUFSans. He hoped that HUFSans are preparing
for the future in a very weary reality. It is university where students
can develop the will that they can live in their own way. He said,
¡°Live with an inflexible will.¡± |
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By Kim Kyu-young
Associate Editor of Campus Section |
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