A decade of leftist rule has ended in South Korea with the inauguration of new Korean president Lee Myung-bak:

President Lee Myung-bak has been sworn as the nation’s 17th president. In an inaugural speech entitled "Together We Shall Open a Road to Advancement," the new president laid out five major policy lines for his administration.

Mr. Lee promised to serve the people and bring peace to the nation while invigorating the economy and uniting society. He pledged to enliven culture and advance science and technology, while strengthening security and laying the foundation for peaceful unification. In addition, he pledged to carry out the nation’s duties to the international community and contribute to the prosperity of all peoples.

The new president declared the year 2008, the 60th anniversary of the nation’s foundation, as the starting year for its advancement.

He declared a solemn start towards a society that cherishes the fruits of democratization and industrialization. He also stressed that the nation should move from an age of ideology into an age of pragmatism.

He said pragmatism is a rational principle prevalent across the globe, underscoring the usefulness of practical wisdom in charting the nation’s course through what he described as "the tides of globalization."

Declaring the nation to be at a crossroads at which it will determine its destiny over the next 60 years, the new president urged the public to take a more positive attitude to change so the nation can face this critical moment in history with ease.  [KBS Global]

Obviously these changes he is talking about do not apply to the soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division, which Lee has refused to allow to be relocated.  Lee in his speech also talked a lot about making Korea an advanced nation by expanding the economy.  However, the reason Korea is not considered an "advanced nation" is not because of its economy but for other reasons. 

How many advanced nations have thousands of US troops sitting right in the middle of their national capitol?  How many advanced nations have to hold hostage American troops on their border because they do not want to pay for their own defense?  How many advanced nations have political leaders demagogue an issue such as the disputed Dokdo islets to the point that the president declares "diplomatic war" against a neighboring nation?  How many advanced nations act like little children in their attempt to re-name a globally accepted name of a body of water for pure nationalistic reasons?  The list goes on and on, but I really hope Lee Myung-bak moves Korea in a direction where such childish antics are no longer considered acceptable and truly moves Korea not only economically, but socially into the league of advanced nations.