[Editorial] Let Us Move Forward Together with Tolerance and Harmony

A new dawn has arrived with the Year of the Fire Horse, the year of the Red Horse. The red horse, reminiscent of Guan Yu’s Red Hare, is a symbol of progress, vitality, life, and passion. We have every reason to expect that the ROK will take another leap forward as national fortunes rise.
The Korean people are descendants of nomads who once rode across the Siberian continent. Horses have been our companions and means of travel since the dawn of our civilization. For millennia, we have fought invaders and pioneered our land alongside horses, leading to the present-day ROK. Today’s prosperity is no accident. Our challenging and creative spirit shone brilliantly through the valor of Goguryeo warriors and the craftsmanship of Silla artisans. Their excellent DNA continues to flow in our veins.
It is a source of pride that the ROK has risen to become a global powerhouse, surpassing leading Western nations. Only 80 years have passed since we escaped foreign domination. Despite having no significant natural resources and suffering the devastation of war, we have achieved the status of a top 10 world economy in a short period. The $700 billion export milestone is a remarkable feat achieved by only five countries worldwide. This is the result of hard work and sacrifice in the industrial sector. The hidden talents of our people have exploded onto the world stage through K-pop. Westerners are captivated by K-movies and K-dramas, while K-Food and K-Cosmetics are also making waves. Remembering the days when we were considered backward in economy and culture, our hearts are filled with pride.
However, it may take some time before we can truly celebrate. Even if we wish to smile, the future is not entirely bright. The ROK’s position as a manufacturing powerhouse is threatened by neighboring countries. The prosperity of key industries—semiconductors, automobiles, shipbuilding, and petrochemicals—cannot be guaranteed indefinitely. To take another leap forward while fending off latecomers, we must unite our national strength. National unity is essential. Division and fragmentation will only lead to defeat.
The industrial paradigm is changing rapidly. While large-scale process industries have supported the ROK until now, the future lies in advanced sectors. Artificial intelligence (AI), robots, and the biotechnology industry are representative fields. We must transition quickly. These should be nurtured as the core growth engines of K-Industry. The future of the ROK and its descendants depends on this. If we become complacent with traditional industries, we risk falling behind. The Year of the Fire Horse marks a national crossroads—a fork in the road between soaring higher or being left behind.
Let us be grateful to the parent generation who made the ROK a prosperous nation. Gratitude is the starting point of everything. We should also acknowledge the achievements of past leaders; we are here because of them. Focusing only on their faults is unproductive. View the world with a progressive and positive perspective, and the future will become visible. If we appreciate and forgive even small things, old grudges will gradually dissolve. It is our responsibility to further develop the nation we have inherited. We must regain our strength. Together, we must row through rough waves toward becoming a leading advanced nation.
Ideological and political conflicts are more pronounced here than in most countries. These are inevitable byproducts of rapid growth—labor disputes and left-right divisions included. We should not view them solely in a negative light, as they are part of the democratic process. Conflict can also serve as a source of progress. However, intense clashes can push the nation into crisis. It is regrettable that divisions are deepening.
Unity is a prerequisite for progress. Division and conflict hinder development. While the mission of politics should be to resolve conflict and unite the people, it often fuels division instead. Many citizens feel disgust and hatred toward politics. Nevertheless, politics is subject to the people. The people can steer politics—that is democracy. We must not blindly follow others. We must understand, yield, and discern right from wrong. We should join hands and pray for unity. Though integration is a difficult path, we must start with small steps. We are a single-ethnicity nation, and there are countries with even more severe ethnic and political conflicts. France, for example, has experienced intense religious and ideological strife since the 16th century. We should learn from France’s 'tolerance.' Now, more than ever, tolerance and generosity toward differences are absolutely necessary.
The shock of Martial Law still lingers a year later. Although the Special Counsel for Insurrection has concluded its investigation, the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties remains unchanged. Investigation and trial are essential steps to restore normalcy. The Presidential Impeachment and judicial decisions reaffirm the core principle of democracy: sovereignty belongs to the people. This is an opportunity to reflect on and strengthen democratic ideals. The subsequent process should be left to the Judiciary. Now, politicians must return to their duties of caring for the people's livelihoods and the economy.
Political excesses that arise during the normalization process can be detrimental to our future. The public is weary of excessive political maneuvering, even if it is part of democracy’s growing pains. Politics often crosses the line and tries to reign above the law. Politics that suppresses only one side invites greater backlash and ultimately hinders growth and progress. The extreme measure of Martial Law was, in fact, the result of one party’s unilateral dominance. This must not be overlooked.
The world has entered an era of chaos beyond the new Cold War. There are no permanent enemies or allies; alliances shift constantly. The USA’s tariff offensives are akin to warfare, even if guns are not involved. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is no different. The weak must submit to the strong—a modern-day reenactment of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period. The USA, once our ally who saved the ROK from the threat of communization, now acts in its own interest. A domestic research institute has dubbed the current international situation a 'world of disorder.' The global landscape is tangled with the new Cold War, survival of the fittest, and hegemonic competition. As a result, the ROK’s security environment has become more complex. In such times, pragmatic diplomacy is the most effective tool. Flexible, adaptive strategies that are not bound by rigid principles are also valid in international relations.
Ensuring the well-being of the people has always been the highest value. For this, growth must come first. Only with abundant harvests can everyone be well-fed. Fair distribution comes next. Now in its second year, the Lee Jae-myung administration must respond to public support with tangible growth. We cannot rely on Consumption Coupons forever to ease hunger. At the same time, we need the wisdom to look far ahead. We must not be obsessed with immediate, visible results. Consistent and focused investment is necessary.
We have lived diligently. There were industrial workers who toiled day and night, operating sewing machines in garment factories and pouring molten iron in steel mills. They are now in their seventies and eighties, having devoted their youth to the nation. There are no separate honorees; all contributed. Yet, the future is not guaranteed to be prosperous. To honor their efforts, future generations must work even harder for the revival of the ROK. Above all, the government must take the lead, and politics must be upright. In the new year, we must refrain from unproductive political strife. 'Overcoming Hardships Together with One Heart' is always a worthy motto. Let us overcome challenges together with unity.