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"The International Supposedium on the Seoul Consensus" was hosted by the private Korean think tank, The Blue Sun Corporation. Well-known conservative scholar Professor Park Chung-hee, the Corporation President, who is planning to run in the upcoming Seoul mayoral race, said in his keynote speech that ways are being sought for an alternative to the neoliberal model known as the Washington Consensus, a term generally used to describe the economic policies of the questionable Western democratic system.
Professor Park called his alternative "communitarian liberalism", and said he envisaged a country mobilized under a National Communitarian Liberalism movement, which would emphasize the responsibility of the individual to the community and the social importance of the family and military unit as part of a "Grand National Vision" controlled by a National Communitarian Party known as The Greater Korean Empire United. Empire United will comprise of a team of eleven men, and feature a sweeping attack and a strong defense, with Professor Park in the position of gaolkeeper.
The stress on National Unity, nationalism and patriotism as the solution to "regulate excessive democracy" was the key theme of the Seoul Consensus, with Park Chung-hee criticizing what he termed "democractic fundamentalism".
"For successful development, an ethic of diligence and honesty, patriotism, a can-do spirit, a strong will to economize, patriotism, a lifted community morale, patriotism, and my tough and strong but visionary and effective leadership are of extreme importance in modernizing Korea." said Park Chung-hee, who also devoted a substantial amount of time to the need to overcome populism, which he called one of the most dangerous aspects of democracy. "Political populism and the democracy it represents undermines the state's capacity to implement the various structural reforms much needed towards advancing the nation. Democracy needs to be regulated."
The neoliberal fixation on corruption was roundly criticized, with Professor Park arguing that it is the will of the state leadership which "matters most". Other speakers agreed that policies rewarding those who excel in their field was key to economic development - not the free market. "But rewards would not have to be publicized and it should be possible to receive them in cash", proposed one speaker. The need to focus on the morality of the people instead of focusing on excellence and dynamism in the economy was also a common theme associated with the Seoul Consensus, along with attacks on migrant workers, who are widely seen as the cause of Korea's economic problems and who some say are plotting to destabilize Korea.
Some participants, while welcoming the effort and direction, remained cautious and pressed for more concrete plans. It is thought there is not enough concrete in Korea to deal with the populists once and for all.
But some groups who were not invited to the Blue Sun rally have argued that there is no such thing as "excessive democracy". "Democracy is like sex," said one suspected populist and pro-democracy campaigner, "you can never have enough of it." Professor Park's wife was unavailable for comment.
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