Choo Jae-woo

Humans can alter their beliefs overnight for selfish reasons, however, making such behavioral changes in succession can be problematic. Unpredictable politicians throw morality into doubt. If legal charges for law infractions and disorderly conduct are filed, the politician will lose public trust. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, has followed this small plan through his whole life. Lee’s claims are telling. He is involved in 12 charges, including perjury, fraudulent information disclosure during elections (general and presidential), false allegations, violations of the Public Official Election Act and preferential treatment in development. Cognitive dissonance — one inconsistency leading to another — is evident throughout Lee’s career.

Many cast doubts over Lee for his alleged lack of integrity, honesty, morality, loyalty and patriotism. Politicians can alter their ideas and opinions as circumstances change. That shift might happen in minutes or hours. If ordinary politicians abruptly change their opinions, convictions, or perceptions, the people will distrust their leadership without convincing reasoning and persuasion. Lee recently boasted about his support for the ROK-U.S. alliance, despite his long-standing anti-Americanism and anti-alliance stance. His fast change of view is attributed to political cunning.

As an early presidential election looms, Lee seems to be changing tactics in line with President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment for invoking martial law in December. Many questions remain. Are his recent political moves motivated by redemption? Is it a political tactic, as his party is fixated on him as their single presidential candidate? Perhaps the latter, as perceptions are........

© The Korea Times