[Opinion] Oral Hazard

It was when Sejong the Great ruled Yi Dynasty. An envoy dispatched to Ming told a Chinese high-ranking official during his visit, “Our highness is worrying about border infiltrations on the north side, so much so he developed diabetes and an eye infection. I would appreciate it if you get some good medicines for him.” He was saying this out of concern for his king, but he met with harsh criticism when he returned to his homeland. It was because he revealed confidential information to a foreign official. Eventually, he ended up losing his officialdom and being sent to a remote area. He made a slip of the tongue, though he meant well.

▷ There have been people who pay a high price for their improper remarks throughout the history and across the world. In this part of the world, we have heard former Government Administration Minister Suh Suk-jae saying something about ‘400 billion won slush funds,’ and later chief prosecutor Jin Hyung-gu about ‘Mint Agency’s role in inciting strikes.’ None of them could imagine the magnitude of the shockwaves of their remarks when they spoke out.

Neither could Lee Hae-chan, Millennium Democratic Party lawmaker who said during a meeting with reporters that he was asked to make a public issue out of the draft-dodging allegation involving Grand National Party presidential candidate Lee Hoi-chang. It seems that he had no idea what was going to happen – all the media spotlight and the harm to his own party.

▷ There are different kinds of verbal mistakes. Some make a slip of the tongue, while others making lies or saying something without knowing about it. We now even have a new ‘oral hazard,’ which derived from the word ‘moral hazard.’ The most damaging mistake is, however, disclosure. It’s because we still tend to hide things unpleasant and shameful. Come to think of it, improper remarks are not necessarily bad.

▷ Proverbs of the Bible says, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” Politicians are bound to speak a lot, so they are more likely to slip their tongues. With the presidential election just months ahead, there are many more to come. Some may even do irrevocable harm to their political careers by saying something they are not supposed to say. After all, it’s election season, a season of oral hazard.