A Window on Korean Politics
A Window on Korean Politics
  • Reporter Lee Mi-yeon
  • 승인 2019.06.13 13:20
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▲Homepage of the Blue House’s petition board
▲Homepage of the Blue House’s petition board

“When the people ask, the government will answer.” The current government implemented the Blue House’s petition board to follow this philosophy. It is a line of communication between the Blue House and Korean citizens, with the Blue House responding when participation for a petition has garnered the support of at least 200,000 people. 
The petition board is once again making headlines on websites, this time over calls for the dissolution of political parties. A petition filed on April 22 requesting the dissolution of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party had garnered more than 200,000 signatures. The Liberty Korea Party is currently attempting to prevent the ruling Democratic Party and minor opposition parties from fast-tracking legislation on election reforms. In the process, ruling and minor opposition lawmakers have filed criminal complaints against a number of Liberty Korea Party members. \
Since any kind of suggestion is possible, it seems like the criticism that the petition board has become a political playground is true. However, when one looks at the petitions people post on the board, one can claim to understand general concerns relating to Korean society, and there was even a case when this led to the legislation of a law. Thus, the petition board acts at the very least, as a window to see and understand the demands of the people. Over the past few days, the most widely searched word on the website was none other than “national petition.” A topic in demand by the website’s participants is for a “Petition for the dismissal of the Liberty Korea Party,” and a “Demand for the dismissal of the Democratic Party.” This reflects the present political climate in Korea.