Ghost of totalitarianism still hanging around

It seems clear that the shadow of totalitarianism, if not “communism,” is still hanging over our society.

KIM PIL-GYUThe author is the Washington correspondent of the JoongAng Ilbo. It was difficult for Blackpink to come to Washington in the first place. Rumors circulated that the K-pop girl group would perform in Washington in time for President Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit to the United States in April, but it turned out that it was never going to happen. Only those involved in inviting the girl group to Washington would know the real reason for failing to take the group there.

But Washington insiders say that the White House approached it too simply. Besides the difficulty in changing the group’s tour schedule, one major problem was the cost. In the beginning, involved parties just thought that the expense could be covered by private sponsors, including Korean companies. But it would certainly involve a legal controversy because it could be seen as a bribe to the White House.

The Kennedy Center, which was mentioned as the venue for the performance, had the same issue. First, the center has no space to accommodate tens of thousands of fans. Second, selecting the center as the venue for a national event even without going through the due process would certainly trigger controversy over favoritism.

Historically, the United States is sensitive to any conflict of interest of the federal government. Even if it does not become a legal issue right away, it is likely to be an excuse for the Republican Party to attack in the next election.

After the World Scout Jamboree in Korea faced a crisis early August, large companies and private universities stepped in to rescue the event. They donated hundreds of thousands of drinks and mobilized their employees to clean up the site.

The companies may have voluntarily come forward in the face of a national disgrace. But according to media reports, the government unilaterally notified them of a plan to use their training centers and college dorms to accommodate Jamboree participants. There was no guideline for meals or use of facilities, not to mention no funding from government authorities.

They may have wanted to wrap up the event with a warm story of the Korean people coming together. But it reminded me of a totalitarian state given the free use of private sector capabilities for the Jamboree. Totalitarianism puts the community and state above the individual and considers individuals as a means for the existence and development of the whole.

When companies and universities received the official letter from the government, they must have worried at least once that there would be a penalty if they did not comply with the order. The entities that participated this time may feel like they have some insurance. But the Korean government did not have any consideration of the potential “conflict of interest” the White House thought about before inviting Blackpink to Washington.

In his Liberation Day speech on Aug. 15, President Yoon said, “Anti-state forces that blindly follow communist totalitarianism are still active in our society.” It seems clear that the shadow of totalitarianism, if not “communism,” is still hanging over our society.