Many people here who cannot read French now know what “Je suis Charlie Hebdo” means. We mourned the deaths of the 17 people killed in the terrorist attacks on the satirical magazine’s office and other places in Paris and sent our sympathy to the solidarity march in which scores of international leaders walked with millions of people condemning violence used against the freedom of expression.
Still, some might have questioned whether they approve of what the French journal has done to satirize the Islamic religion and Prophet Muhammad in 
disregard of the Muslim community’s vehement complaints. Yes, we should assert our liberty, but if our speeches, writings or drawings are received by others as an insult, should we ignore their reaction in pursuit of our freedom? Now, we also hear people say “I am not Charlie” from different parts of the world.
When the magazine published an extra edition of 5 million copies with another caricature of Muhammad on its cover last week, most Korean newspapers carried the picture for no other reason but to satisfy their readers’ right to know. In Japan, the print media was divided. Asahi, Mainichi and Yomiuri newspapers decided not to publish the cartoon, instead describing it in detail. Kyodo News Agency, the Tokyo Shimbun and some other papers copied the picture showing the Prophet with a teardrop and the caption, “All is forgiven.”
I am not sure if the difference between Korean and Japanese editors in handling this matter indicates that the journalists in Seoul are less sensitive about Muslim sentiments or more dedicated to their primary professional mission than their counterparts in the neighboring country. But, I extended my thoughts to the ceaseless, multilayered conflicts around us that must have blunted our senses regarding various forms of social hostilities, here or abroad.
First, look at our socially active religious communities. They remain divided over the interpretation and application of doctrines or disputes in worldly affairs. The Korean Protestant Church, through its history of 130 years, has seen ceaseless separations in each denomination; the Presbyterian Church alone now has over 60 “general assemblies.” Even the unitary Catholic Church is plagued by the radicalism of a number of activist priests.
Egotism, stereotyping and prejudices push all against all. In the industrial world, capital-to-capital, capital-to-labor and labor-to-labor conflicts have hampered development of productivity in recent decades after rapid economic expansion. The law of the jungle rules the games of large businesses versus contractors, mid-sized companies vs. small suppliers, regular employees vs. irregular, temporary workers and unionists vs. nonunionists, and the moderate Federation of Korean Trade Unions vs. the radical Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in the labor movements, not to mention struggles in each category.
Korea is at the height of social divisiveness nearly three decades into democracy after the postwar dictatorial era. The economic, social, political and even cultural and educational scenes are painted in black-and-white ideologies. In schools, teachers are divided into the leftist “Jongyojo” members and nonaffiliates, while government-subsidized cultural organizations are seeing fierce leadership contests between official and “people’s” nominees.
In the political arena, the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy is currently embroiled in a three-way contest for party chairmanship. Strangely, its two major factions are bound together by their respective allegiances to late Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Dae-jung while the third consists mainly of former student activists. In the ruling Saenuri Party, Pro-Park (Geun-hye), pro-Lee (Myung-bak) and neutralists are bitterly vying for hegemony in the premature run-up to the 2017 presidential election.
As 2015 began, people were tired of the persisting social and political conflicts as the stagnant economy needed attention. President Park’s New Year press conference showed no clear signal of a breakthrough on domestic and external constraints, and her approval rate fell to the all-time low of 35 percent. The nation cannot afford to wait any longer to change its mood as well as its course, desperate minds believe, 70 years after liberation from the 35-year colonial rule at the end of World War II.
Oil prices are falling to a level not seen in over a decade, and experts are cautious in predicting the long-term impact. For now, the 30 percent drop allows salaried workers to have extra money to spend on their families, dining out and going to the cinema. If they quit smoking because of the sharp rise in cigarette prices, they can have healthier, happier lives ― once the news carries fewer stories of conflicts and scandals, particularly those involving the center of power. The protracted Chung Yoon-hoi and Park Ji-man episode is dying down with the president’s formal denial and the prosecution of two alleged “fabricators.”
It is rather fortunate that the frosty relationship between the president’s personal aides and her only brother was exposed through a stock market rumor, which those sleuths assigned to the Blue House allegedly leaked to the press. President Park should promptly clear up the mess as she is approaching the midpoint of her five-year term, which generally decides the success and failure of a presidency. Her predecessors faced early lame duck status when they failed to negotiate the milestone safely.
Of all the conflicts, the worst is, of course, the confrontation with North Korea, occasionally involving armed clashes. Some progress was made in this hot area when North Korean refugee activists, persuaded by Seoul officials, suspended their anti-Kim Jong-un leaflets campaign. The South and North are cautiously approaching a new round of dialogue to deal with pending issues, with Seoul proposing to tackle smaller, easier things first. Something more than a brief reunion of divided families may be expected such as the reopening of cross-border tourism. It is the New Year, a time when wild dreams are warranted.
Prof. Kim Woo-chang, one of today’s speakers of conscience to both the left and the right, said it is time for everyone to stop shouting slogans with fists in the air and to focus their wisdom and energy on providing employment and welfare. He pictured the future Korea as a middle power where people are not worried about eating, rivers and mountains are preserved and clean, political groups trust each other and human values are respected.
If I may add a line: a country of tolerance where no one needs to hold the equivalents of “Je suis Charlie” or “Je ne suis pas Charlie” signs.
By Kim Myong-sik
Kim Myong-sik is a former editorial writer for The Korea Herald. He was managing editor of The Korea Times. ― Ed.
