President Roh Moo Hyun's directive that the government examine the idea of sharing data on individual citizens in order to prevent corruption among leading individuals in the private sector is shocking. You will never find anyone opposed to uprooting corruption, but you cannot rationalize any means just because the ideal is a good one. It is amazing that anyone came up with such an idea in the first place, since it is utterly obvious there would be all sorts of effectiveness problems and the possibility there could be personal data leaks and thereby civil rights infringements.
It is to begin with problem enough to think the government should be getting involved in the hiring of people in private life. Choosing people is something that has to be left for private companies to do themselves. You wonder whether companies are so very interested in preventing corruption that they would need to see such information. Everyone knows how they are always ready to hire former government officials who have illegal activity in their pasts. Instead of wasting time and energy providing such an unnecessary "service," the government should be making sure it is less often when it gets in trouble for calling people to serve in the government without adequately checking up on them ahead of time.
It is frightening just thinking about the abuses that could occur should government personnel data spread randomly after being handed over to the private sector. Getting your hands on a person's private information is to have a definite hold on him. Should they so desire companies could misuse the data to realize certain goals. It is horrible to even think of the danger that would be involved should "internal inquiry documentation" held by intelligence agencies also be handed over.
If president Roh is serious about eradicating corruption he should start by canceling plans to pardon former politicians convicted of corruption. It is contradiction to forgive politicians who have engaged in corrupt activities get out of jail cards while trying to make sure government officials who have been convicted on corruption charges do not start working at private companies
The Hankyoreh, 19 July 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Gov't Should Not Get Involved in Private Hiring |
