Scapegoat, Beggar And President For The Economy: The Image Of Lee Myung-Bak As Seen Through Political Cartoons In Chosun Ilbo And Hankyoreh

Abstract

This chapter examines and compares selected political cartoons from two major newspapers in South Korea: Chosun Ilbo and Hankyoreh . By taking a close look at cartoons which serve as visual commentaries, the chapter attempts to shed some light on South Korean domestic discussion on the politician Lee Myung-bak. The chapter provides an overview on the domestic political discussion around the controversial politician Lee Myung-bak. It conveys an impression of South Korea's everyday political life. Political cartoons published shortly before and after South Korea's parliamentary elections focused on the National Assembly candidates and the participating political parties. South Korea had rejected US beef imports from 2003 because of several cases of 'mad cow disease'. A columnist from the New York Times summarised the question during the presidential election campaign around Lee Myung-bak as: 'Which is more important in a president, high ethical standards or an ability to manage the economy?'. Keywords: Chosun Ilbo ; Hankyoreh ; Lee Myung-bak; parliamentary elections; political cartoons; presidential election; South Korea; US beef imports