According to the latest survey, 79 percent of the country thinks it is more important that high-level government officials be ethically sound than that they possess ability in carrying out their duties. 68.2 percent say Hong Seok Hyun, Korea’s current ambassador to the United States, should resign immediately for having purchased real estate illegally. The results of the survey can be interpreted as public criticism of Cheong Wa Dae’s having gone ahead with certain appointments even knowing that some of its candidates for public office had ethical shortcomings.
The reason the people demand higher moral standards of high-level government officials than for ordinary citizens is not, as some are suggesting, a demand that they be “gods.” Of the 26 officials at the level of minister or higher who have had to step down from their positions, 14 did so because of problems relating to the way they came to own their assets. There were also cases where officials got into trouble for illegally stating that they had changed residences so as to get their children in different schools through roundabout means. They were disregarding basic virtues necessary for people entrusted with public service. What the people are asking is that it not be possible for government officials to use their position for personal gain.
There are of course times when something that long ago was not considered all that big a deal later becomes unforgivable as society changes, but even when that is what has happened the rational way to go about a nomination would be to first make the facts known and then hear what public opinion has to say. Ethical questions have a way of looking far more serious than they really are when the questions get asked too late, and it is a national loss if people who are really needed are eliminated for things that could be tolerated.
Four people at the level of minister have had to step down for ethical reasons since the start of the Participatory Government. That is evidence of the fact that in the system currently in place for making nominations there are not adequate checks. Part of the problem is that the individual with the authority to make appointments is not in step with the standards of the people, but more than anything it is a matter of a lack of clear standards and a clear understanding of what about a person needs clarification. The opportunity should be taken to legislate a process of selection and verification for nominated government officials.
The Hankyoreh, 19 May 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Legislate Checks for Candidates for Public Office |
