Leadership requires truth and justice

For those of us who were born and raised during Japanese colonial rule, the fate of our country was a matter of survival, not an abstract ideal. After experiencing the communist regime in North Korea firsthand, I could not abandon the belief that Korea had to become a nation worthy of the name. The founding of the Republic of Korea and the experience of the Korean War laid the foundations of a liberal democracy and shaped the country's path. Today, South Korea has emerged as one of Asia's leading middle powers.

The long course of human history has left us with enduring principles for building a country where people can live with dignity. Three values stand at the center of that pursuit: truth, justice and freedom. Nations that allow these foundations to decay or abandon the values essential to human dignity have struggled to survive on the world stage. North Korea is a tragic example. Its regime has abandoned not only truth and justice but also freedom, a basic human right, leaving its people in a society largely stripped of hope.

What path is South Korea taking today? Our politics appears to be retreating toward a system that values power over justice and falsehood over truth, undermining the very principles on which the republic was built. When truth and justice no longer serve as guiding values, while deception and wrongdoing become normalized, society begins to lose its moral foundation. The question is whether the president and the nation's political leaders are setting an example that earns the trust and respect of the people.

The problem begins when politics and the economy are treated as ends rather than means. Both are essential tools for serving the public, but neither should become a goal in itself. Too often, society forgets that a meaningful life depends not only on material success but also on moral and spiritual values. The belief that political power justifies any means, or that success excuses the abandonment of principles, ultimately erodes both social values and institutions.

That misguided mindset is spreading throughout society. Over the past two or three weeks, South Korea has witnessed a series of incidents rarely seen in advanced democracies. One example was the controversy over Starbucks-themed chants during a baseball game between Paichai High School and Gwangju Jeil High School. Another involved allegations that investigators handling the Jang Yun-gi murder case colluded with Jang’s father, a senior police official. There was also the case of a Reform Party candidate in his 30s running in the Busan mayoral election who allegedly staged a terrorist attack against himself. These are not merely the failures of a few individuals. They represent a broader failure for society as a whole. Who can guarantee that such incidents will never happen again? Similar misconduct could occur within the executive or judicial branches as well.

The independence activists who fought for Korea’s liberation did not hold such values. Lies and violence are historical legacies of injustice that communist regimes and underdeveloped societies have failed to overcome. They are a corrosive force that can destroy a nation. When those who rely on deception and intimidation rise to positions of leadership, a country’s future is left without hope. If even the nation’s educated middle class turns away, who will take responsibility for the damage caused? Educators and religious leaders who fail to uphold their sense of duty are abandoning the responsibilities entrusted to them.

A moral order that restrains lies and violence is built through a commitment to justice. Those responsible for upholding the law have a duty to defend society against falsehood and violence. That duty is what preserves the dignity and vitality of the judiciary. It is also an essential responsibility for anyone who claims a role in leading society.

Intellectual and moral leaders must elevate the value of justice into a guiding principle for society, and citizens must join them in upholding it. Their greatest privilege is the responsibility of following their conscience. Choosing truth over falsehood and standing for fairness, human rights and equality are acts of patriotism expected of responsible members of society. They must help shape the nation’s future. A society can remain strong only when citizens embrace both the rights and responsibilities that come with being part of a nation. Politicians must set the example, while intellectuals must help cultivate future generations who will carry that responsibility forward.

A new phrase has recently entered political discourse: “self-serving politics.” The term implies, by definition, that politics pursued for personal gain should not be accepted. If the Lee Jae-myung administration becomes merely an extension of the Moon Jae-in administration, many citizens will find that unacceptable. The government can earn public trust only if it breaks from what the author describes as the previous administration’s ideologically driven policies.

The Lee Jae-myung administration must not pursue politics for its own benefit. Instead of surrounding itself with ministers chosen primarily for their loyalty, it should work with experts who possess a stronger sense of public duty and commitment to the national interest. Pragmatic politics should seek the greatest good for the greatest number. It should engage with people who are willing to pursue truth through facts, hold open discussions and work together to create national value. A government should not rely on those who simply follow orders, but on capable individuals who can bring greater expertise and ability to the table.

The choices made by the Lee Jae-myung administration should serve as an opportunity to correct what the author sees as the historical failures of previous Democratic Party of Korea governments. The public backed the administration because it believed that course reflected the will of the majority. But if the government falters in its methods or execution, it too could make mistakes that harm the nation's future.