Manchester United's Ji-Sung Park, left, jumps with Wigan Athletic's Fitz Hall, right, during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Tuesday Dec. 26, 2006. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson) ** NO INTERNET/MOBILE USAGE WITHOUT FAPL LICENCE - SEE IPTC SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FIELD FOR DETAILS



[Editorial] No Trust in National Assembly, Government,
Prosecution or Court

The results of ‘the general survey on the realities of social funds’ revealed today by the Korea Development Institute (KDI) have met expectations. National confidence has apparently fallen to rock bottom for the National Assembly, the government, political parties and local autonomous entities that should lead the country and society. These are followed by the prosecution, the court and the police force, which should rectify the social discipline that has taken the next level. In particular, reliance on the National Assembly, the government, a political party or a local autonomous entity is lower than a situation with a stranger. Furthermore, 70% of the nation considers that half of public officials are rotten, whereas only 5% of the nation thinks that public officials nearly obey the law. Such research results prove of a barrier to the ‘cruise of Korea’.

The fact that core public institutions and officials overseeing the management of the country are distrusted indicates the reality that the people are utterly exhausted. Some people are almost feeling betrayed by these institutions. It was a matter of course since the National Assembly, which is the representative institution of the nation, is more involved in political strife than public welfare and governance. It is responsible for the administration of the country, but was proven to be incompetent on the whole.

Moreover, the national view is that legal circles are engaged in a custom of privileges of one’s former post and of exchanging guilt for money. Many high-ranking public officials who are guilty have evaded the law, had a light penalty or have been pardoned and restored by authorities. No one would regard the society of a public office as right when the equity of the law is not observed.

Measuring the national confidence towards public institutions and officials is one method to estimate the course of the future, and of the welfare of the country and society. Therefore, these research results are suggesting that the future, as well as the present, of Korean society will not be so bright.

The authority of public officials is granted by the nation, which means that it should be used for the people. The distrust of the nation in the public institutions and officials is national adversity. The systematic device to prevent corruption in public society has limits. If the public officials do not reflect on themselves, and the purpose of the law-abiding is not properly established, trusted public society is far distant.
/ 입력시간: 2006. 12.27. 08:38