Left Flank

The Liberty Forward Party (LFP)'s spokesperson's colorful title quote speaks for itself. The progressive United Democratic Party added, 'pours cold water on the people's expectation'. The Hankyoreh mocks, «This is what they call yong do sa mi, a big beginning that leads to a weak conclusion» and warns, «Insufficient reshuffle could lead to bigger crisis».

President Lee needs to give some deep thought as to what personnel reform means in this unprecedented political crisis. The people were more interested in the political choices Lee would make through a Cabinet shuffle than in the change of a couple of ministers. Through the political act of a Cabinet shuffle they wanted to see a changed president. The changes he has made to his Cabinet, however, make his intentions clear. He is going to abandon the approach of making it appear like he was suddenly going to accept their demands, and from now on push ahead with the style of running government he has had from the start. He will not be able to quiet public anger that way. It is worrisome, rather, because it looks like it will only accelerate the government's political crisis.

In short, the current political impasse starting with American beef and broadening into a diffuse condemnation of the government could deepen into legislative trench warfare.

President Lee Myung-bak's statements from the G-8 summit confirm the Hankyoreh's skepticism.» 'I think we should revise the goals. But I'd like to cultivate our country's potential so that we can attain the original goals.'

Who knew there were so many ways to flip the bird in Korean?

The policy positions of the three conservative groups converge on most issues. Their intense battle over power and influence is unlikely to have much effect on foreign policy. Pro-Park lawmakers and the LFP are hesitant to offer blanket support for free trade agreements, since liberalisation of the agricultural and livestock sectors would significantly affect their constituencies,which include many rural districts. But the president controls foreign policy and the inter-Korea policy agenda, and his conservative rivals tend to agree with his views in these areas, so he can expect support unless he completely alienates the National Assembly and the public.

This is as ICG interprets the 2007 election results. We might as well consider President Lee as impeached already.