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Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan (1922-2009)

Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, South Korea's most influential and prominent Catholic leader, passed away Monday at the age of 86. Living through times of war, invasion and political chaos was difficult, but the late Cardinal held ``Pro vobis et pro multis'' (For you and for many) as his lifelong pastoral motto, inspiring not only local Catholics but Korean society and beyond. The senior Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and former Archbishop to Seoul was born on July 2, 1922 in Daegu, shortly after the March First Independence Movement against Japanese colonialism.

He lived trued to his words of planting the church within society particularly during the politically tumultuous 1970s '80s. South Korea lived under authoritarian governments and the cardinal was vociferous in fighting their injustice. At a Christmas mass in 1971, he strongly denounced the Park Chung-hee government for trying to extend its rule and in the following year, announced a statement further blasting the administration. He recalled in his memoir later of that time that: ``I stood, unintended, at the center of human rights, social justice after having undergone various incidents … It was a hard time when I had to endure government pressure as well as criticism from within the church.'' In the 1980s, Myeongdong Cathedral was a sanctuary for students and citizens calling for democracy. The Cardinal stepped forth to block riot police from entering its compound where democracy protesters huddled. Of that time he later said: ``I thought that allowing police to enter the cathedral compound to take away students was the critical juncture that would decided whether Korea went along the path to democracy or extended military regimes.''

On May 29, 1998 Cardinal Kim left his title as Archbishop of Seoul, ending 47 years of service. Cardinal Kim was friends with neglected minorities, and constantly met with disabled people as well as condemned criminals and the homeless. He was passionate in serving and defending farmers and workers, and later launched the Catholic Urban Poor Pastorals Committee to support the poor. As a Cardinal and moreover, a warmhearted man, Cardinal Kim pursued love, peace, democracy and the fundamental rights of Koreans, which was difficult in his earlier days. Not only did he hope for the well being of his fellow Koreans, but he also hoped for the welfare of many more ― ``Pro vobis et pro multis.'' His lifelong pursuits were yet to be fulfilled in society, but Korea is indeed lucky and honored to have had such an inspiring religious figure.

Lee becomes South Korean president

Lee, the 10th man to be South Korea's president and the first to come from a business background, overwhelmingly won December's election on a promise to make the economy his top priority. He has promised to achieve annual growth of 7%, double the country's per capita income to US$40,000 over a decade and make South Korea one of the world's top seven economies. He calls this his "747" pledge, meant to evoke a soaring jumbo jet. Lee, 66, says he will slash regulations, initiate tax reforms, streamline government and draw in more foreign investment. South Korea's economy grew 4.9% last year and 5% the year before, but Lee says it has underperformed.

Accusations of ethical lapses dogged Lee even after his election victory. Special prosecutors cleared him only last Thursday of various allegations, including that he was involved in a 2001 stock price manipulation. Lee, who flatly denied the charges, was the country's first president-elect to undergo a criminal inquiry. His selection of some Cabinet ministers and a key aide already has come under fire over their allegedly dubious ethical standards, with one resigning amid suspicions she engaged in real estate speculation.

Though Lee has vowed to broadly continue Seoul's policy of detente with the North, he says he will maintain a more critical eye. His liberal predecessors — Roh and Kim Dae-jung — gave unconditional aid and concessions as part of reconciliation efforts.

Lee also says he will encourage Seoul's ties with the U.S. to help resolve the nuclear issue. International talks on North Korea reported significant progress last year after Pyongyang shut down its main nuclear reactor and began disabling key atomic facilities. The talks, however, have not been held since October due to a dispute over whether Pyongyang kept its promise to declare all its nuclear programs by the end of December.

In 2002, Lee was elected as Seoul mayor and won praise for restoring a long-paved-over scenic stream to create a popular landmark in the heart of the congested city of 10.4 million people. He won the Dec. 19 presidential election, defeating the closest opponent by 22.6 percentage points — the largest margin since democratic elections were restored in South Korea in 1987.

Question
1. Which images do you have about President Lee and Cardinal Kim?
2. What kinds of Leader will you want to be if you are in charge of a big group?
3. If you were a Korean president, how would you govern this country?
   Do you have something to change in Korean system or another thing?

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