[Editorial] Thorough Verification, No Politicizing

President-elect Lee Myung-bak’s 15 Cabinet nominees’ average assets are estimated to be 3.9 billion won. Eight of them hold assets worth more than 3 billion won, and five of them possess between 800 million won and 1.1 billion won. The wealthiest one is Culture Minister-nominee Yu In-chon with assets valued at 14 billion won. Yu’s staggering value of property raised nominees’ average assets to 933 million won.

Some of the nominees own real estate in many areas across the nation. Six of them possess more than three houses. So much so that, the new Cabinet is called the “Moneyed Cabinet.” Some of the nominees are suspected of having been involved in real estate speculation. A Cabinet consisting of wealthy ministers might end up hindering proper economic policy making and implementation. When high-ranking officials have a fortune, their integrity is often called into question.

However, we cannot say they are unfit for a ministerial job only because they are wealthy. Just as a minister’s wealth has nothing to do with his or her ability, it has no bearing on his or her ethics and integrity. Among those who fancy themselves as progressive forces, quite a few are said to be men of great wealth.

There may be many explanations for their wealth: Some might have come into a rich inheritance; some could have seen the price of their legally-acquired real estate soar, or some could have inflated their hard-earned money through rightful means such as stock investment.

If some built their fortune on their own, with legal means or with their thrifty and diligent lifestyle, we should respect them instead of denouncing them. This will be the proper attitude in a society where the phrase, “Make a fortune,” has become one of the well-wishing remarks.

That being said, how they amassed large wealth should be thoroughly identified through parliamentary confirmation hearings. Lawmakers must find out whether they have been engaged in real estate speculation, acquired property illegally, exploited their position for personal gains, or evaded taxes. Nominees are also advised to do their utmost to clear themselves of any allegations. If some of suspicions turn out to be true during the process, they should withdraw from the post voluntarily.

However, rival parties should refrain from using confirmation hearings to their political advantages. The United Democratic Party is already set to make the issue of Cabinet nominees’ wealth a political agenda. It is even forecast that some politicians will turn the upcoming general elections into a battlefield between haves and have-nots. If so, they should remember that dividing the nation for gaining the upper hand in the elections is no less than committing crimes against the nation’s history.