Would envoys not winning respect from their cooks do diplomacy properly?

Some South Korean ambassadors’ deviant behaviors exposed by cooks at their official residences are shocking. The cooks claimed that the ambassadors beat them and wasted public money under the excuse of official dinner parties. Considering that other cooks at ambassadors’ residences respond by saying the envoys had it coming, it seems that such scandals are not limited to only several embassies. After reporting on the envoys’ deviant behaviors, the Dong-A Ilbo and its Internet homepage are inundated with citizens’ comments criticizing the diplomats.

One cook employed by the official residence of the South Korean ambassador to an Asia-Pacific country claimed that she had been treated “like a slave” and that she had been unfairly fired by the ambassador’s wife who “habitually” beat her and even locked her up. Another cook employed by the South Korean embassy in an African country claimed that the ambassador who fired her used to throw dinner parties frequently and had her purchase excessive amount of food ingredients and used leftovers personally. Another cook for a South Korean ambassador to a European country made an online post claiming she had been unfairly fired in two months, receiving more than 70,000 views.

Would an ambassador who mistreats and mismanages his cook work hard to help Koreans living in his host country and properly lead embassy employees? Would an envoy who uses taxpayers’ money for his own personal gains do his best in working for the national interest? There have been consistent complaints about the high-handed and insincere work attitude shown by diplomats at Korean missions abroad. One overseas Korean left a comment on the Foreign Affairs Ministry`s website, saying that he did not go near a Korean embassy or ask it for help. Although the Park Geun-hye administration vowed to change under the slogan “Diplomacy of trust that opens a new era of the people’s happiness and hope,” nothing has been changed.

An ambassador exercises full power in running an embassy in a foreign country with public eyes watching him. If embassy employees keep mum about their ambassador’s human rights abuse and funds embezzlement in order not to fall out of his favor, the entire foreign ministry would come under public criticism. The future of Korea’s diplomacy will not be bright until diplomats who reign over their citizens and consider embassy budget his own money.

Against this backdrop, the Foreign Ministry said it would send inspectors to find truths about the claims. If the ministry attempts to protect its own officials, it would invite a bigger disaster. It should conduct thorough investigations and give severe punishment at least to protect the honor of most ambassadors who do their best for the national interest.