S Korea must confront hard truths

This New Year dawns under a shadow in South Korea, absent the usual joy and optimism.

- LEE BYUNG-JONG

Instead, the country is beset by a series of crises that weigh heavily on its spirit. The impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol and the ensuing political instability is just one facet of the turmoil. Economically, stagnant exports are reeling under pressure, with further damage anticipated from the protectionist policies of the incoming Trump administration. Adding to the collective grief, the tragic plane crash in Muan has shaken the nation to its core. For many, this period represents Korea's "darkest hour" in decades.

As a former foreign journalist who covered South Korea's turbulent times in the 1990s, I can't help but draw parallels between then and now. The late 1990s were marked by political paralysis, violent street demonstrations and labor unrest. Presidents were jailed on corruption and insurrection charges, and the economy teetered on the brink of collapse, necessitating a humiliating bailout by the International Monetary Fund. Tragic incidents like the Sampoong Department Store collapse further compounded the nation's anguish. The similarities with today's challenges are striking.