In the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, South Korea's economy grew rapidly, and chaebols – large family-controlled conglomerates – played a key role in this process. These chaebols, such as Samsung and Hyundai, not only occupy an important position economically, but also have huge political influence. The problem of collusion between government and business is frequent, and the society has complained about it. When Moon was elected president of South Korea in 2017, he promised to reform the chaebols, especially Samsung, in an attempt to weaken the power of these giants. However, he soon found himself in a complex political-economic network dominated by plutocracy.
South Korea in 2017, after the impeachment of Park Geun-hye, national politics seems to have entered a turning point. Moon Jae-in took office against this backdrop, and his inauguration is full of hope and challenges. On the one hand, the public expects him to overhaul the control structure of the chaebol, but on the other hand, the power of the chaebol is deeply rooted and unshakable.
"We have to make sure that the economy runs fairly. The power of the plutocracy is so great that it has influenced our policymaking. Moon said firmly in an internal meeting, his eyes flashing with a determination to reform.
As the first target of reform, the influence of Samsung Group is unimaginable. Samsung's business covers almost all important economic sectors, from electronics to finance, chemicals, heavy industry, etc., and every economic fluctuation in the location where its headquarters is located is enough to cause a shock to the country's economy.
In February 2017, Samsung's heir, Lee Jae-yong, was arrested on suspicion of bribery, an incident that shook the country. Immediately after learning the news, Moon Jae-in issued a statement on social media: "This is an important step forward in our reform path." Samsung's problems are just the tip of the iceberg, and we will pursue deeper reforms. ”
But the roots of the chaebol are very deep. Lee Jae-yong's team of lawyers is composed of top legal experts in China and abroad, who are well versed in every legal provision. During the trial, a lawyer said passionately: "Mr. Lee Jae-yong is troubled by unfair accusations. We will prove his innocence. ”
In court, Lee Jae-yong was expressionless, but when he heard that he could face a possible 12-year prison sentence, he finally showed a moving expression. He whispered to the lawyer next to him, "This is a great misunderstanding of my business and personally. ”
In February 2018, when Lee Jae-yong's release was announced, the news sparked a public backlash again. Many were not surprised, and they discussed on social media, "Once again, it proves that in South Korea, the power of the chaebol is higher than the law." ”
Moon is feeling the pressure like never before. In an emergency meeting, he confronted his team of advisors: "Our efforts seem to have been easily overturned. Their resources and influence far exceed our expectations, and this is a long-term battle. ”
Over time, Moon's policies began to gradually adjust, moving from direct confrontation to more nuanced and strategic reforms. He called for greater transparency for chaebol companies, while pushing for legislation to limit corporate control by chaebol family members.
Still, during Moon's tenure, the foundations of Samsung and other chaebols remained rock-solid. Their political, economic, and social involvement and control make it difficult for any attempt to weaken their influence.
In the final years of Moon's tenure, although he had made some progress in chaebol reform, such as increasing corporate transparency and fairness, the influence of the chaebol had not been fundamentally diminished overall. Towards the end of his term, he expressed his sentiment in a speech: "Despite some of our achievements, the road to reform is far from easy. My successors will continue this struggle in the hope that they will make even greater breakthroughs. ”
Moon's struggles and compromises reflect a profound social reality – that in an economy dominated by chaebols, the path to reform is fraught with challenges and complexities. Despite the formidable resistance, Moon's efforts at least provided a starting point and valuable lessons for later political leaders. This chapter of history is not only about the struggle of one man, but also about the microcosm of a country's search for self-equilibrium on the road to modernization. Under the enormous influence of money and power, how to achieve true justice and equality remains a major issue before us.