SEOUL — On June 12, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea became the stage for a significant milestone in civic discourse. The first-ever “National Assembly Town Hall Meeting,” co-hosted by the Roh Moo-hyun Pilgrimage and the office of National Assembly member Jang Cheol-min, brought together experts and citizens to reimagine the future of South Korean society through the lens of scientific ethics and collective wisdom.

The event, which drew a passionate crowd, was specifically designed to reflect on the legacy of the Hwang Woo-suk scandal—a watershed moment in Korean history that occurred two decades ago—and to explore how citizens can act as a steering force for modern technological advancement.

Reflecting on 20 Years: The Role of Collective Intelligence

The keynote speaker, producer Roh Gwang-jun of OBS, author of the book Special Matters (Teugisahang), reopened the painful chapter of the Hwang Woo-suk case. Two decades ago, the scandal exposed a society struggling with the blind pursuit of scientific achievement at the cost of ethical integrity.

“Twenty years ago, our society suffered a profound wound due to the absence of scientific ethics and the lack of robust collective intelligence,” Roh stated during his presentation. “As we enter an era of rapid technological acceleration, we must ensure that civic collective intelligence becomes the center of both monitoring and cooperation.”

Roh emphasized that true technological progress is only meaningful when it serves the people rather than concentrating power. He argued that the Town Hall Meeting marks a departure from top-down policy discourse, aiming instead to establish a model of horizontal communication where citizens play an active role in defining the goals of science and technology.

The Proposal: A ‘Special Amnesty’ for National Unity

One of the most noteworthy outcomes of the session was Roh’s formal proposal for an "August 15th Liberation Day Special Amnesty." In a time of deep polarization, Roh suggested that a state-level decision to grant a special pardon could serve as a "catalyst for integration," effectively healing social rifts and refocusing national energy toward collective future goals.

The organizers and the office of Rep. Jang Cheol-min expressed strong alignment with this proposal, pledging to elevate it into a broader social agenda. “We fully support Mr. Roh’s vision that a Special Amnesty can act as the priming water for national unity,” the organizers noted. “Moving forward, we will actively gather voices from various sectors through subsequent parliamentary forums to turn this vision into a tangible social movement.”

Reviving the Dream: Policy Research for a ‘World Where People Live’

Building on the momentum of the meeting, the organizers announced the formal resumption of policy research dedicated to the vision of a "World Where People Live"—a core philosophy championed by the late former President Roh Moo-hyun.

“We will not stop our research into reinterpreting and implementing the values of a ‘World Where People Live,’ now integrated with modern technological achievements and citizen-driven collective intelligence,” the organizers declared. They expressed their commitment to bridging the past and the future, aiming to translate the unfinished dreams of the late president into the language and challenges of the 21st century.

A New Standard for Civic Participation

The event served as a powerful demonstration of how the fusion of expert knowledge and collective civic intelligence can act as a catalyst for solving the complex challenges facing modern Korea. By creating a space where the National Assembly and the public meet on equal footing, the organizers have set a new standard for democratic engagement.

The organizers confirmed that this meeting is only the beginning. They plan to hold regular town halls to foster consistent dialogue, aiming to establish a sustainable, citizen-led policy development process.

As South Korea looks toward the next two decades, the message from the National Assembly on June 12 was clear: the path toward a brighter, more humane society is not one to be walked by politicians and scientists alone, but one to be paved together through the power of collective intelligence.

[Contact Information]

Official Email: eokm@daum.net (Roh Moo-hyun Pilgrimage Town Hall Meeting)
Publisher Inquiries: Open World (Yeollin Sesang): 02-332-9384

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