ID :
141014
Mon, 09/06/2010 - 22:41
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/141014
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(News Focus) Fairness being revisited under Lee`s justice drive
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Sept. 6 (Yonhap) -- The notion of fairness and inequality is being
revisited in South Korea amid President Lee Myung-bak's crusade to address the
chronic social problem, a legacy of the country's speedy industrialization and
democratization.
Lee's intention is generally worthy, say critics, but what he actually wants and
how to reach the abstract goal is still opaque.
In his Liberation Day speech on Aug. 15, Lee declared the creation of a "fair
society" as a motto for the latter half of his five-year tenure.
The drive falls in with his campaign to make South Korea an "advanced, top-notch"
nation. South Korea achieved industrialization in the 1970s and democratization
in the 1980s, but the value of fairness was neglected due to growth-oriented
policies at that time.
Public calls have gathered force for narrowing the gap between the haves and the
have-nots and breaking the "winner takes all" mentality. The book "A Theory of
Justice," authored decades ago by John Rawls, a late former Harvard University
professor, has become a bestseller here.
The trend has had an immediate impact on Lee's leadership. Bowing to public
pressure, just three weeks after their nomination, prime minister and culture and
knowledge economy minister designates bowed out after being accused of serious
unethical acts during their confirmation hearings.
Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan was also caught in the net, offering to step down
last week after being accused of nepotism over the ministry's recruitment of his
daughter to a mid-level post.
"In the past, the foreign minister's case may have been condoned as a
longstanding practice. But it is an unacceptable matter by the standards of a
fair society," the president said Sunday.
Lee stressed that his fair society policy, albeit painful to social leaders and
those with vested power, will eventually help upgrade South Korea's status.
His remarks spawned media speculation of an audit and reform drive against
corruption and moral hazards among senior civil servants.
Lee's office, Cheong Wa Dae, dismissed the view, saying the president is not
seeking a targeted audit of specific officials or organizations but hoping to
establish a strict legal order and law-enforcement system.
Analysts view South Korea's quest for a fair society as a natural trend as it
transitions to an advanced nation. They say South Korean people, living in one of
the world's most wired countries, have raised the ethical bar for the country's
leaders.
"The big direction of Lee's drive is desirable," said Jang Hoon, a professor of
political science at Chung-Ang University in Seoul. "But what he means exactly
when he talks about a fair society is equivocal."
If he means equal opportunity, it would reflect his right-leaning inclination,
but should it mean equality of outcome, it is more of a leftist policy, Jang
added.
Political parties are also demanding clear guidelines.
"As the concept of a fair society is abstract and too wide ranging, I think
strict criteria are necessary," said Ahn Sang-soo, head of the ruling Grand
National Party (GNP). "It would be better to set standards in politics, economy,
society, culture and other sectors."
Chung Doo-un, a reform-minded lawmaker at the GNP, said the president's policy
for a fair society may well turn into a "yoke" for himself and the ruling bloc
for the remainder of his term that ends in early 2013.
For opposition parties, the president's fair society campaign is turning into a
newfound weapon to attack the ruling camp.
"Only when the president, the government and the ruling party first behave in a
way fit for a fair society, the people will accept it," said Park Jie-won,
caretaker leader of the main opposition Democratic Party.
Kim Sung-ho, a political scientist at Seoul-based Yonsei University, cautioned
the rival parties against exploiting the fair society drive for political
purposes.
"A fair society is sort of a social consensus made through serious discussions,"
he said. "We need to use this occasion as a chance to start serious discussions
on fairness in our society."
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Sept. 6 (Yonhap) -- The notion of fairness and inequality is being
revisited in South Korea amid President Lee Myung-bak's crusade to address the
chronic social problem, a legacy of the country's speedy industrialization and
democratization.
Lee's intention is generally worthy, say critics, but what he actually wants and
how to reach the abstract goal is still opaque.
In his Liberation Day speech on Aug. 15, Lee declared the creation of a "fair
society" as a motto for the latter half of his five-year tenure.
The drive falls in with his campaign to make South Korea an "advanced, top-notch"
nation. South Korea achieved industrialization in the 1970s and democratization
in the 1980s, but the value of fairness was neglected due to growth-oriented
policies at that time.
Public calls have gathered force for narrowing the gap between the haves and the
have-nots and breaking the "winner takes all" mentality. The book "A Theory of
Justice," authored decades ago by John Rawls, a late former Harvard University
professor, has become a bestseller here.
The trend has had an immediate impact on Lee's leadership. Bowing to public
pressure, just three weeks after their nomination, prime minister and culture and
knowledge economy minister designates bowed out after being accused of serious
unethical acts during their confirmation hearings.
Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan was also caught in the net, offering to step down
last week after being accused of nepotism over the ministry's recruitment of his
daughter to a mid-level post.
"In the past, the foreign minister's case may have been condoned as a
longstanding practice. But it is an unacceptable matter by the standards of a
fair society," the president said Sunday.
Lee stressed that his fair society policy, albeit painful to social leaders and
those with vested power, will eventually help upgrade South Korea's status.
His remarks spawned media speculation of an audit and reform drive against
corruption and moral hazards among senior civil servants.
Lee's office, Cheong Wa Dae, dismissed the view, saying the president is not
seeking a targeted audit of specific officials or organizations but hoping to
establish a strict legal order and law-enforcement system.
Analysts view South Korea's quest for a fair society as a natural trend as it
transitions to an advanced nation. They say South Korean people, living in one of
the world's most wired countries, have raised the ethical bar for the country's
leaders.
"The big direction of Lee's drive is desirable," said Jang Hoon, a professor of
political science at Chung-Ang University in Seoul. "But what he means exactly
when he talks about a fair society is equivocal."
If he means equal opportunity, it would reflect his right-leaning inclination,
but should it mean equality of outcome, it is more of a leftist policy, Jang
added.
Political parties are also demanding clear guidelines.
"As the concept of a fair society is abstract and too wide ranging, I think
strict criteria are necessary," said Ahn Sang-soo, head of the ruling Grand
National Party (GNP). "It would be better to set standards in politics, economy,
society, culture and other sectors."
Chung Doo-un, a reform-minded lawmaker at the GNP, said the president's policy
for a fair society may well turn into a "yoke" for himself and the ruling bloc
for the remainder of his term that ends in early 2013.
For opposition parties, the president's fair society campaign is turning into a
newfound weapon to attack the ruling camp.
"Only when the president, the government and the ruling party first behave in a
way fit for a fair society, the people will accept it," said Park Jie-won,
caretaker leader of the main opposition Democratic Party.
Kim Sung-ho, a political scientist at Seoul-based Yonsei University, cautioned
the rival parties against exploiting the fair society drive for political
purposes.
"A fair society is sort of a social consensus made through serious discussions,"
he said. "We need to use this occasion as a chance to start serious discussions
on fairness in our society."
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
