Originally published on October 17, 2019.
Based on a dialogue between Furuta Hiroshi and Fujii Genki published in WiLL, this article discusses the absence of a trust-based society in South Korea, the failure of modern principles such as contract, division of labor, rule of law, and human rights to take root, the chaebol structure, the socialist tendencies of the Moon Jae-in administration, concerns over the possible nationalization of Samsung, and distortions in public discourse over South Korea.

October 17, 2019.
Because a “trust-based society” does not work, the modernization of the spirit, such as “contract, division of labor, rule of law, and human rights,” has not taken root in South Korea at all.
The only thing that has been achieved is the progress of industrial technology.
The following is from a dialogue between Furuta Hiroshi and Fujii Genki published in this month’s issue of WiLL, under the title “Korea, Then and Now, Has an Ancient Brain; There Is No Way to Deal with an ‘Ancient Brain.’”
The best thing is not to associate with them.
After all, the “Three Non-Korean Principles” — do not help, do not teach, do not get involved — are the way to go!
Still with an Ancient Brain.
Furuta.
South Korea is truly in danger now.
The CEO of Korean Air was brought down through the power-harassment problems of his wife and daughter, and next is Asiana Airlines.
It was forced by a government-affiliated bank to release its shares in exchange for loans.
It looks as though a path toward nationalization is being prepared.
Will the next target be Samsung?
Fujii.
Until now, in South Korea, the chaebol functioned better as corporate bodies.
Furuta.
Yes.
Because they are poor at division of labor, the chaebol embrace each field under their command in a one-set principle.
Small and medium-sized enterprises do not grow well.
They do not trust anything that is not under their control.
Because a “trust-based society” does not work, the modernization of the spirit, such as “contract, division of labor, rule of law, and human rights,” has not taken root in South Korea at all.
The only thing that has been achieved is the progress of industrial technology.
Because they remain with such an “ancient brain,” forces like the Moon Jae-in administration, which try to carry out a socialist economy even today, emerge.
Fujii.
The head of Samsung was put on trial, and the case was remanded from the Supreme Court to the High Court.
Only the parts of the charges that had been found not guilty until now were remanded.
If that happens, the not-guilty parts may also be changed into guilty.
If the top leader receives a prison sentence, the command tower will disappear.
Do they intend to proceed with nationalization during that interval?
Furuta.
Is that President Moon’s aim?
The appointment of his close aide Cho Kuk as Minister of Justice is one part of that as well.
Although he is so full of suspicions that he is called the “Onion Man,” Moon is completely ignoring public opinion.
It looks as though he cannot help wanting to carry out despotic politics like the North.
Fujii.
Speaking of which, Shukan Post, in its September 13 issue, ran a special feature titled “We Don’t Need South Korea,” and the leftists made a huge fuss.
Furuta.
Mikichan — Kimura Kan, professor at Kobe University — posted, “I understand the headwind against Shukan Post, but if that is so, what about the even worse special features in WiLL and Hanada?” — original text as is, September 2.
Fujii.
We take up South Korea’s problems based on factualism.
It is quite unpleasant to be told that this is “hate.” (laughs)
The reason Mr. Kimura and the former Foreign Ministry people defend South Korea is probably that they want to protect their own privileges in the world of public discourse.
Furuta.
They think that maintaining balance and creating a win-win relationship is their job.
That kind of thing no longer works in the world.
Fujii.
It is not realistically possible.
One of the things Trump is fighting is PC — political correctness.
He is resisting, saying it is strange that Christians cannot even say “Merry Christmas.”
It has an aspect of thought hunting even stronger than word hunting.
In a sense, it is a hate act against the majority.
Furuta.
The abuse hurled at the masses under the term “anti-intellectualism” was a typical example of that.
In the end, unless the collapse of the progressive view of history is widely made known, it will not do.
There is no automatic system for human beings in history.
One must convey that there is no absolute value in the world.
If that is done, their theories of balance, and by extension most humanities theories, will largely collapse.
Fujii.
China and Korea have not changed in essence.
Furuta.
They do not change.
Unless one abandons the progressive view of history, their words and actions will remain forever incomprehensible.
Fujii.
They remain with what you call an “ancient brain.” (laughs)
Furuta.
It must be abandoned, but once that happens, another causal story will probably begin.
The times are changing.
Unless scholars grasp the pieces of that change skillfully and exercise “foresight,” they, too, will fall behind and be in serious trouble.
This article continues.