The concept of a loyal opposition is foreign to traditional Korean thinking. "After all", you may think "how can I be both loyal and opposed at the same time". But the inability of many Koreans to grasp this important idea and to take it to heart causes them problems in a Western culture. The practice of loyal opposition began a few centuries ago in England. Politicians asserted that they were both loyal to the king, yet opposed to the king's government. This idea has since permeated American culture. As I interact with my Korean friends, I can see that "loyal opposition" is still a puzzle to most of them. I see this in Korean government, in Korean organizations, in Korean churches and even in my Korean family. What happens to nice Korean people when they attain power?

I have read about the great Korean leader Syngman Rhee. During the last 20 years of Japanese occupation, this man embodied Korean nationalism. While living in Hawaii and married to a European wife, Dr. Rhee was a picture of worldly sophistication. Most Americans were confident that this westernized Korean would carry his nation along a democratic path. Unfortunately that did not happen. The division of Korea then the Korean war were good excuses to maintain an iron grip, but by 1960 there were no more excuses. This tyrant treated his nation as personal property. Syngman Rhee would accept no loyal opposition. He finally fled from office in disgrace when his army took the side of the loyal opposition.

I am familiar with a local Korean organization. The man director is a kind person and the woman board chair is charming. This community-based group conforms to American law by appointing a board of directors. However, the rubberstamp board does nothing but provide prestige names. Unfortunately, the leaders treat their organization as a private club, hiring and firing at whim. Again, no board member or employee dare speak against the leaders. They will tolerate no loyal opposition.

I once attended a Korean church that was lead by an attractive and charismatic pastor. Young people would flock to this church for strong spiritual leadership, but older Christians felt they had no voice in the way the church was lead. It was always "my way or the highway". The idea that a member could oppose the pastor yet remain loyal to the church appeared absurd. This is not Korean thinking, I was told.

Finally I see the East/West dynamic in my own marriage. Just last week my wife and I were discussing the American Talaban, John Walker. She insisted that he was a misunderstood and misguided youth. I opposed her on this. I countered that he knew what he was doing and should be punished harshly for his crimes. Soon our disagreement devolved to a situation where "I didn't love her, because I disagreed with her". I reminded her, that I am loyal to her, but at times I oppose her opinions. She accepted my apology and we moved on. I believe that it was Voltaire who said, "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". May we all grow into that frame of mind.