창작과 비평

The Quarterly Changbi 199, Spring 2023

Abstract

Lee Tae-ho, executive director of the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, forcefully criticizes the current government for not having any positive vision or policy and for defining groups it does not like as “enemies.” He then carefully examines the serious and complex crises that Korean society is now facing. The current government’s presentation of an anachronistic, neoliberal policy as a solution to the current global economic crisis, or its policy direction that does not consider just transition or the Korean peninsula peace process has been adding to our suffering. While warning that a chronic crisis does not mean a transition to a better society, Lee presents tasks for civic movements, focusing on the restoration of social solidarity and political reforms. For the transformation of Korean society and a healthy political shift, he argues that we need an intervention in the major political parties and a new kind of civic solidarity, in which civic groups form alliances, while maintaining their progressive identities and unique characters.