We greet every New Year’s Day with high hopes and expectations for the unknown future. The thought that a whole new year is ahead of us always makes our hearts flutter. As the year begins, therefore, we give all our blessings to the world and make new plans, hoping that they come true in the upcoming months.
However, this New Year’s Day is different. Instead of being hopeful, we feel rather uneasy because the political turmoil in our country means the upcoming year is deeply uncertain. For one thing, the impeachment process for President Yoon Suk Yeol will have to go on for a while until the Constitutional Court makes its final decision.
To make matters worse, the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach then-acting President Han Duck-soo, too. Things cannot be normal for the time being, whether domestic or foreign. It seems inevitable that South Korea will have to sail in uncharted seas full of hidden reefs without a captain for some time.
Consequently, in 2025 South Korea may have to drift between strong winds and surging waves, if not in a perfect storm. The country might have to go through a series of turbulent swells or endure lightning, as well. Of course, it will be able to avoid shipwreck or capsizing. Still, however, it seems inevitable that Korea will be struggling in the dark, far behind other countries that sail in placid seas at full speed.
In 2025, we hope that South Korea will recuperate from its recent trauma of a severe storm and return to serene seas as soon as possible. The passengers of the sailing ship, South Korea, do not want their crew to fight one another over power politics in the whirlwind of a storm, until they bring the ship to a safe harbor.
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. The Chinese horoscope states that snakes have some positive traits, such as intelligence, gracefulness and determination. It describes snakes as skilled at solving complex problems and known for their strategic thinking. Indeed, snakes coil up and patiently wait for the right moment to move or strike the enemy. In that sense, snakes are patient, thoughtful and discreet.
This year, we, too, should do some strategic thinking before taking hasty actions. We also should be patient, considerate and prudent. We should be deep in thought and able to solve complex problems calmly, as well. Like snakes, we should be wise and determined in times of crisis. At the same time, we need to be quiet, modest and unpretentious.
The Chinese zodiac also states that snakes have flaws: Snakes are easily irritated and prone to jealousy and suspicion. In the Year of the Snake, one should be cautious about what one talks about with others, as it could cost friendship and opportunities. It also says that on the flip side, snakes can be seen as secretive or enigmatic, preferring to keep their true thoughts and feelings hidden. They can be somewhat suspicious of others and may take time to trust people fully.
In 2025, therefore, we, too, should not be easily provoked or agitated. We are not supposed to be jealous or suspicious of others, either. In Chinese astrology, jealousy is a snake’s biggest flaw. It says that they can’t take it when they see that other people are more popular. In 2025, therefore, we should not be jealous of others. Instead, we should applaud and congratulate those who are better than us.
We should also be supremely cautious when we talk about others because it may cost our precious friendships. At the same time, we should refrain from revealing our inner thoughts and feelings frivolously. Instead, we should be circumspect, depending on the situation. The same thing goes for our relationships with other countries.
In 2025, we may have to face unprecedented crises. For example, as the Donald Trump administration sets sail again, American foreign policy is expected to change radically and rapidly. Naturally, it will affect many countries, including South Korea. In addition, the future of the Russia-Ukraine war could have an immediate effect on our country due to our precarious relationships with North Korea and Russia. The Taiwan controversy, too, will directly affect the future of South Korea, depending on its resolution.
In 2025, we should choose and act wisely amidst the oncoming perfect storm of international crises. To the threatening totalitarian countries, we must show that we are as dreadful as a poisonous snake. To the weak, needy countries, we should protect and embrace them like a guardian python. To our friendly allies, we need to show that we are a loyal, reliable ally, not an untrustworthy, opportunistic one.
In 2025, we strongly hope that South Korea will return to normalcy and continue to prosper and flourish.
Kim Seong-kon
Kim Seong-kon is a professor emeritus of English at Seoul National University and a visiting scholar at Dartmouth College. The views expressed here are the writer’s own. -- Ed.
