It was an emotional time for the nearly 180 people gathered at the presidential mansion on Saturday. President Roh Moo-hyun had just been reinstated after two months of suspension, following the Constitutional Court's decision to overrule a parliamentary motion to impeach him. Also, his Uri Party had achieved a landslide victory in April's general elections, tripling its seats and winning a slim majority in parliament.
Mr Roh, 152 newly elected lawmakers and several party leaders gathered for dinner on the eve of the opening day of the new National Assembly. After a seven-course Chinese meal, everyone, clearly buoyed by the occasion, began to sing and even dance. Mr Roh sang two Korean pop songs, and the new lawmakers followed suit. The party went on for 21/2 hours.
At the end, more than 30 new legislators - part of the so-called '386' generation because they are all in their 30s, took part in anti-government student demonstrations in the 1980s and were born in the 1960s - sang a famous protest song called March for the Loved One.
It is quite understandable that the guests wanted to celebrate recent events that had gone their way. Mr Roh's first year in office was marred by political infighting, an economy in the doldrums and weak leadership, which was highlighted by the humiliating impeachment motion. Suddenly, however, public opinion swung in favour of Mr Roh and his young supporters, as evidenced in the election results.
Such a reversal of fortune would be acceptable in many countries, but in South Korea where Confucian tradition says that civil servants should be moderate and humble, it can be a liability.
In fact, the opposition Grand National Party launched a barrage of attacks. Leader Park Geun-hye criticised Mr Roh and his supporters for having a gala dinner at a time when the economy is heading for more trouble.