Lee Jong-wook, director-general of the World Health Organization (WTO), died May 22 of a cerebral infarction. He was the first Korean to head a United Nations organization and he dedicated his life to eradicating disease across the globe. It is even sadder that he collapsed from hard work in preparation for the WTO's annual general meeting. We respectfully pray for the deceased.
Upon learning of his sudden departure, the UN lowered its flags of the world to half mast, and world leaders expressed their sadness at losing a great servant. But the parade of condolences by the international community honoring his life and accomplishments sound as if they are voices scolding the indifferent mood in Korea.
When Dr. Lee was elected three years ago, it was something of a freak accident. When he announced his candidacy, Korean public opinion was doubtful. People thought he was not well known enough internationally. Conditions were not favorable, given the posturing and political dealing that goes on between member states during decisions of this kind, as well as the existence of better-known competitors. However, the international community voted for Dr. Lee and his life of dedication to service and superior administrative abilities. At a young age, he abandoned a life of comfort to work on a small island in the Pacific on behalf of people afflicted with leprosy, and for more than 20 years he worked at the WHO to stop the spread of AIDS, tuberculosis, and polio. He was called the "Vaccine Czar" for significantly reducing the number of cases of polio, and his ability to get things done earned him the name "silent thunder."
Our government's reaction has been like a frog in a well. An incense altar was initially set up in the lobby of Seoul National University's College of Medicine, but on Tuesday afternoon it was moved to the foreign ministry's Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security. Dr. Lee's family had to ask for the altar at the state level, at which point the government scurried to set it up.
In foreign countries, the head of such an international organization receives the same treatment as a head of state, and so it was disrespectful towards his family and an international embarrassment to have handled the matter in such a way. The government’s lame explanation is that there is no precedent, or any existing provisions, for establishing this kind of honorary altar for a public servant. Korea deserves embarrassment if it is a country where the current foreign minister has declared his desire to be UN secretary-general but a place that still does not get the point of issues such as honoring Dr. Lee. The government is now making a belated fuss about how it is going to posthumously award Dr. Lee a state medal for his service, but it first should be looking at itself to see whether it knows the basics of diplomacy.
Dr. Lee is quoted as having said that "expanding foreign aid is a matter of a nation's interests." It is understood within the international community that developed nations should contribute 0.7 percent of their gross domestic product for foreign aid. Korean contributes around 0.01 percent, and the country's "voluntary contributions" are only a tenth of the government's contribution. It is enough to make one ashamed about the death of a man who made such a big mark in the international community.
[Editorial] WHO director-general Lee Jong-wook |
