Cheong Wa Dae's choice of people is again causing problems. They say that Jo Yeong Taek, newly chosen to head the Office for Government Policy Coordination, was formally reprimanded for receiving W10 million when he was a department head in what used to be the Ministry of Home Affairs. Cheong Wa Dae says that what Jo received was not a bribe for something related to his job, but money for expenses that used to be given by mayors as common practice once upon a time. In its judgment, the issue is not serious enough to influence Jo's new job.
Cheong Wa Dae's lax system of making personnel choices has been questioned since the start of the year with the mistaken selection of Lee Ki Jun as Deputy Prime Minister for Education and Human Resources Development, Lee Hun Jai as Deputy Prime Minister for Finance and Economy, and Choe Yeong Do in his position as head of the National Human Rights Commission. According to Cheong Wa Dae, Jo's past is not a decisive disqualification because he was given what is called a "light reprimand" back in the early nineties and had his pay reduced for a month, and then continued on in public service, It is unfortunate, however, that it has to choose someone who will be the subject of controversy at a time when the ethical standing of public servants has become a sensitive issue of public interest. Reportedly the reprimand Jo received was discussed in the course of selection but no serious debate about the subject took place. That is way out of touch with common standards of common sense.
When the head of the National Human Rights Commission was attacked for once having falsely stated his legal residence in relation to a real estate holding, Cheong Wa Dae got defensive and said what happened transpired long ago. Prior to that it scurried to protect education minister Lee Ki Jun, asking the people to see the man for his abilities despite the fact he had earlier been forced to abandon his position of president of Seoul National University for ethical shortcomings. Lying on your real estate documents is not a light illegality because it happened long ago, and education minister is not something easier than being SNU president.
The country now has significantly higher expectations about the ethical standards for high-ranking public servants. It is natural that the people demand strict standards of a Participatory Government that has promoted the cause of reform. Has not the current government already had a high-ranking official step down for wrongfully receiving W1 million? This is a natural and necessary adjustment of perceptions on the way to being an "advanced society," not a "trial by public opinion." The people at Cheong Wa Dae who oversee the appointment of high-level officials need to ask themselves if maybe they aren't leaning too much in a direction of paternalism or moral superiority. It looks like this is more than exclusively a problem with the selection process itself.
The Hankyoreh, 24 March 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Gov't Appointments and Ethical Standards |
