Korea: Policy Options for Today and Tomorrow, 
Edited by Rhyu Sang-young, Park Cheol-hee, Kang Won-tak, Suh Moon-gi, 
(Asia Foundation)


East Asia Foundation, a nonprofit research group, has published a book analyzing key political, economic, social and security issues for the next Korean government.

Essay collection “Navigating Korea: Policy Options for Today and Tomorrow” is also designed to assist policy debate in the presidential election, the foundation said.

“As the economy staggers and society becomes harsher, countries are desperately putting more effort and concern on the original, positive role of politics that can make the economy and society more productive and happy,” the editors wrote in the preface.

The 724-page book was written in cooperation with 33 experts and 10 coordinators, who are active in various fields and are unaffiliated to political parties. It is split into five sections they considered politically controversial or integral to the future of Korean society.

“Peace and Security” looks into North Korea, China, and other diplomatic issues, with suggestions to promote and maintain peaceful relations. “Leadership and Democracy” deals with requirements for successful leadership and policies that strengthen democracy.

“Growth and Welfare” discusses the balance between economic growth and welfare, “Attractiveness and Competitiveness” looks into ways to improve the Korean economy and society, and “Happiness and Diversity” talks about how Korean society can be happy and diverse at the same time.

The foundation said the book aimed to be politically neutral, and had excluded those with party affiliation or showed significant bias toward one side of an argument.

“In order for policies to stay alive, they must be actively discussed during elections, and carried out productively based on facts. There have been too many times we were dejected and ashamed seeing discussion on policies turn into competition for public image or a political battle based on personal attacks,” reads the preface.

The editors wrote in the preface that they hope their studies would “help contribute to providing a productive discussion of policies during the presidential elections, and for the upcoming government to carry out successful policies.”

By Sang Youn-joo, Intern reporter 
(sangyj@heraldcorp.com)