They have just found themselves at the other extreme. On the very first day of my arrival, the cab-driver poured criticism on the previous President saying that he was inept in economics. He also blamed corrupt business practices between conglomerates and the government. Now, he has become a critic of the government. Despite growing uneasiness and blame in Seoul, I could feel a strong consensus among Koreans to regain economic vitality and fix the country s problems.
Reform is the burning issue under discussion.
People, many of whom are still surprised by what has happened to them during the last few months, appear to be desperate to improve their situation. This societal mindset pressured a confederation of trade unions to cancel its ultimatum for nation-wide strikes this year. Nevertheless, despite the appearance of resolve to fix the problems, people fear that the crisis may yet deepen. The spreading pain of the crisis has already changed the atmosphere in Seoul, the heart of the country. What I saw during a week in Seoul in March tells me that Seoul is not what I once knew.