EcoWorldly

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s public approval ratings took a dramatic nose dive last month when he okayed a deal with President Bush to import low-grade US beef — banned since the 2003 outbreak of mad cow disease – into South Korea. Demonstrations, first against US beef and then against the president himself, swelled throughout the country, climaxing at weekly protests 80,000 strong in the capitol. Oops.

So how do you make an angry populace happy again? President Lee decided that the best way to appease voters (and mark his 100th day as president) was to pardon 2.8 million petty thieves and scammers, and also to give drunk drivers a clean driving slate. Does anyone follow the logic here?

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Drunk Drivers Celebrate a Return to the Wheel by Getting Completely Sloshed

Drunk drivers, for one, toasted the president’s decision. At a local bar in Gangneung, where I live, bar owner Mr. Lee celebrated his newly clean driving record with a 30% discount for all drinks in the bar. Those who drove to the bar were able to booze it up and then careen home with nothing to fear from the police.

Congratulations, Mr. President. You’ve won back the support of the drunks and criminals. A resounding “Doh!”

To President Lee’s credit, he claims that the pardon will benefit people who made bad choices years ago when economic times were harder than today, people who are now elderly and interested in living out the rest of their days in law-abiding peace.

Oh, but they had better watch out for drunk drivers.

Saving Grace: Lee Puts Environmental Leader (Not Drunk) At the Wheel

In another recent move to mollify the public, President Lee appointed environmental leader Lim Sam-jin as secretary in charge of communicating with civil society. Mr. Lim was previously at the head of Green Korea, one of the country’s two largest environmental organizations, and also held the post of civil affairs bureau chief under previous President Kim Dae-jung. Mr. Lim was also a strong supporter of Lee Myung-bak’s overhaul of public transportation when the current president was Mayor of Seoul.

Related articles:

• Mad About Mad Cow
• Mad Cow Disease Fears Spark Mass Demonstrations in South Korea
• Nearly 3 million people pardoned on Lee’s 100th day in office
• No Time for an Amnesty
• Ex-activist named as Lee’s messenger to civil society

Photo credit: Heini Samuelsen via Flickr

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