President Yoon Suk Yeol. November 2024. / Provided by the Presidential Office

Editorial Board Member · Korea Military Academy Class of '78 (40th)An apology regarding martial law is a hot potato. The martial law that the public considers is a product of history created by the Democratic Party's parliamentary assault, persistent impeachment attempts, and obstruction of state affairs. The entity responsible for martial law is not the People Power Party, yet demanding an apology for martial law from the party leader by stating, "We will take collective action if an apology for martial law is not issued," is akin to demanding an apology from the architect of a building that collapsed due to lightning, asking, "Why did you design it so sturdily?" Demanding a martial law apology on the eve of next year's local elections appears to be a ploy to dismantle the conservative base rather than expand towards the center.

Every election season, the political sphere falls prey to the mantra of 'reaching the center.' Pseudo-'reaching the center' involves concealing their aristocratic arrogance, lowering their tone, and feigning humility. However, without a genuine focus on people's livelihoods and a weak philosophical foundation, attempting to reach the center is like losing the chickens you already have while chasing after wild rabbits. A party that does not solidify its support base and attempts to attract the center is destined to collapse, much like a shoddy construction that erects a roof and pillars before laying a weak foundation.

The centrist demographic is not a simple, monolithic group. It comprises various segments: the "shy voter" who refrains from speaking in uncertain times, the "timid voter" who has a leanings but claims to be centrist out of fear of criticism, the "livelihood-focused uninterested" for whom survival takes precedence over politics, and the "avoidant centrist" who shuns political participation due to political aversion. The center is not a fixed stratum but a fluid layer, akin to clouds and mirages, appearing temporarily according to the currents of the times and political circumstances.

1. The Reality of the Centrist Demographic and the Falsity of 'Reaching the Center'

Politicians often deceive themselves by indulging in the hopeful incantation of 'reaching the center.' Politicians who speak of expanding to the center and broadening their reach without a solid internal bond typically fall into one of two categories. The first is when they are deceived by the opposing camp's divisive strategies without understanding the nature of the center. The second is when they actively aid the opposing camp. The act of twenty-odd people taking collective action, when they cannot even prevent the ruling party's unchecked actions despite being united, is akin to poisoning their own well.

The centrist demographic is not like a feather tossed by the wind. The center is closer to a pendulum with cautious weight. While they may temporarily withhold their stance, disappointed by the political snobbery of both camps and fall into political aversion, they ultimately move towards the side that possesses the centripetal force for national welfare. Regardless of whether it's the ruling or opposition party, a weakening of this centripetal force leads to internal strife. For a party with a weak support base, attempting to 'reach the center' leads not to an expansion of influence but to the defection of loyal supporters.

The center is not a neutral zone in an arithmetic sense, nor is it an empty, unclaimed territory. The center is an intelligent counterweight that shifts towards the side that considers national interest and establishes a stable policy focus. It is like migratory birds that move towards where food is provided during winter. The moment a party with a weak political center attempts to grasp the center, it destroys its existing, fragile foundation.

2. When the Leadership Solidifies Its Centripetal Base, the Support Base Expands Outward

In physics, an object in motion maintains its rotation due to the centripetal force pulling it towards the center. Similarly, a political party needs a strong inward-facing centripetal force to generate outward-expanding power. In politics, centripetal force signifies core values, consistent messaging, the morality and legitimacy that foster cohesion, and a stable axis that upholds the community. Without a political camaraderie and unity akin to facing life and death together, and without centripetal force, the tragedy of impeaching one's own president can occur.

The chaos in Korean politics stems not from a failure to reach the center but from a lack of centripetal force. When core values waver, principles disappear, statements change with the political climate, and leadership undermines internal values and order, parties lose public favor, and even party members and supporters may defect out of resentment. Conversely, when centripetal force is strong, supporters who feel pride will expand outward.

Reaching the center is not a technique for broadening one's reach; it lies in the skill of creating, maintaining, and disseminating central strength. Reaching the center is not about scratching an itch, disguising one's strengths as weaknesses and admitting them, or employing sweet persuasion. It is a phenomenon of understanding human nature and finding, maintaining, and spreading a stable center. When a stable value-centered approach beneficial to the public is established, the centrist demographic is absorbed without needing to be actively pursued. It is like bees being drawn to a flower with abundant pollen and nectar.

In politics, the common element of centripetal force is security. Security does not solely refer to military power. It encompasses national security activities such as stability in state governance, judgment of international affairs, alliance maintenance and management capabilities, and crisis response. When security is firm, the center of gravity becomes heavy, and the centrist demographic naturally shifts towards those who can protect the lives of the people in emergencies, rather than words.

3. A Strong Centripetal Force Enables Centrifugal Force to Function

Centrifugal force symbolizes outward expansion. Cooperative diplomacy, improving national image, new policies for the people's welfare, and sincerity in approaching the public are all forms of centrifugal force. Centrifugal force contributes to the expansion of influence only when centripetal force is strong. If centrifugal force is increased in a state of weak centripetal force, the ties of alliance are severed, leading to internal collapse rather than expansion. In a state where legitimacy and morality are eroded, no prescription or shield will last long.

The fundamental principle of operating any organization is to build a strong centripetal force before expanding outward. A ship with a weak foundation will capsize if it unfurls its sails. If the central axis of security falters, diplomacy loses credibility and direction. Conversely, when the security center is strong, diplomacy also possesses the power to expand without wavering. I hope that proponents of 'reaching the center' and those who deliberately sow division will realize and repent that 'the way to win over the center is to not lose sight of the focus on national welfare.'

I would add that martial law is clearly not a matter for apology until the legal proceedings are concluded.

Editor, The Hankyoreh-Japan Daily