My name is Daniel. I was an English teacher in Seoul, South Korea, and now I am a writer who has
published three books including South Korea: Our Story by Daniel Nardini.
One of the dangers I see of a most likely Moon Jae-in presidency is that he will
not only be pro-China, and maybe in part pro-North Korea, but that he may introduce some socialist ideas into
South Korea. I have sadly seen things in Cuba, China, the former Soviet Union and the former East Germany.
From my experiences, socialism is a bad deal. I am not arguing about subsidized housing for the poor, health
care for all, or social programs to help those who have lost everything. These are in my view good things. I am talking about where "land reform" means that there is no private property, and no protection for those who own personal property. I am talking about only one person or one party in complete and total control. I am talking about where laws are enacted so that people cannot voice their opinions, have little to no freedom of speech, no right to peacefully assemble, and not practice their religious or political beliefs. The danger of all of this is not only will it lead in a decline in the quality of life but that it could also lead to people being thrown into jail for their ideas, and a deterioration of society into an authoritarian state (as we are seeing in Venezuela right now). Perhaps
Moon Jae-in might give South Korea "peace" with North Korea, and foment a better relationship with China.
But at what price might all this come about? Little to no freedom of speech? Losing South Korea's
sovereignty? Seeing a decline in how South Koreans live? If these things happen, no amount of
propaganda will change the circumstances of how South Koreans may live...........they may simply be stuck
with the situation. One other important thing to consider: could Moon Jae-in or some other leftist change
the constitution so that they can stay in office indefinitely? This is entirely possible, and this has already
happened in countries like Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, etc. This is something for the South Korean
voters to think about.