단상斷想

Common concerns about people with the same name, Lee Jin-sook, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, and Lee Jin-sook, candidate for Minister of Education, these two are being noted by the Lee Jae-myung government as the most prominent risks in the reform test. Although they have different backgrounds and paths, the common message their names convey is one. "Is this government willing to break with the past?"

First, Lee Jin-sook, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, is a former journalist appointed under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, and has faced criticism of 'destruction of freedom of the press' since the appointment process. She is a person with the stigma of 'Queen of the Corporate Card'. Before being appointed as the chairman of the KCC, her actions in the media were never neutral. Since she was the head of the MBC News Bureau, she has been evaluated as a person tailored to the taste of the regime, and there is great criticism that she has damaged the independence of the press and the principles of democratic control as the chairman of the KCC. Later, when the Yoon Seok-yeol administration took power, he quickly took the position of chairman of the KCC, and the KCC was criticized for being reduced to a 'public relations office of the regime'.

His leadership, including forcibly ousting the chairman of public broadcasting and forming a Broadcasting and Communications Commission (BCC) council that excluded opposition party-recommended members, is being recorded as a prime example of mocking the principle of press independence under the Constitution. He insisted on guaranteeing the term of the BCC chairman and switching to a single-head system, showing himself to be obsessed with his authority and position. This is being criticized as a shameless act lacking the responsibility and ethics of a public official. The fact that a person who damaged the independence of broadcasting and took the lead in the regime's attempt to control the media still holds public office casts doubt on the Lee Jae-myung government's will for reform.

This is an act that goes against the public's demand that a change of government should also mean a change of values. Where has the Yoon Suk-yeol government's slogan of eradicating deep-rooted evils disappeared to? If a government that came into power vowing to correct the past instead leaves those figures from the past alone or takes a reserved attitude, wouldn't this be a 'declaration of abandonment of reform' rather than 'reform fatigue'?

On the other hand, Minister of Education nominee Lee Jin-sook, a former president of Chungnam National University, boasts a brilliant career as 'the first female president of the nine major national universities.' However, behind this career, a shadow of undemocratic leadership and lack of expertise looms large. As an education expert, she lacks insight into elementary and secondary education, and it is widely believed that she failed to voice educational reforms even during her tenure as university president. Furthermore, the prevailing opinion is that democratic leadership is lacking. During her tenure as president, controversies over unilateral decision-making and abuse of power were constant.

In particular, there is criticism that it attempted to push forward top-down policies under the slogan of 'Creating 10 Seoul National Universities.' And there is controversy over historical awareness. The fact that she attempted to remove the Statue of Peace on campus during her time as president became known, sparking controversy over a lack of historical awareness and pro-Japanese sentiment. This is a serious flaw when viewed in light of the weight and responsibility of the position of Minister of Education, making it difficult to entrust the future direction of education in a country to her. The attempt to appoint Lee Jin-sook as Minister of Education can only be seen as an act of denying the essence of education, which must face and inherit the past. Trying to seat a person in the position of Minister of Education who lacks awareness of historical justice and publicness is a direct contradiction to the values of reform and justice put forward by the Lee Jae-myung government. The Minister of Education is not a simple administrator. He symbolizes the nation's educational philosophy and is the guardian of the spirit responsible for the next generation. However, if we put someone in that position who has turned a blind eye to the pain and justice of history under the guise of 'neutrality,' it will undermine the publicness of education and destroy the pillars of national identity.

Both Jin-sook Lee and Jin-sook Lee are holding onto their positions or pushing ahead with appointments under the guise of 'mechanical neutrality' or 'inclusive personnel management,' ignoring national scrutiny and concerns. However, silence in the face of injustice and indiscriminate inclusion ultimately lead to the restoration of vested interests and injustice. If the Jae-myung Lee government intends to keep its promises to the people, it must ask whether the names Jin-sook Lee and Jin-sook Lee align with the government's values ​​and identity, and take decisive action. Otherwise, the continued maintenance or regression to the past will damage the sincerity of reform and become a self-inflicted wound that shatters public trust.

These two are now political indicators symbolizing where this government is going. The hand that controlled the press, the mouth that ignored history, with those two names at the heart of the government, the Lee Jae-myung government must ask itself. Are these people truly thoughtful personnel who are partners in reform, or is it a watermelon party of the Lee Jae-myung government's personnel team that put the enemies of reform on the personnel list?

Neither educators lacking historical awareness nor bureaucrats who have undermined freedom of the press can be responsible for democracy and public interest. The people evaluate the government based on attitude and philosophy, not names. The Lee Jae-myung government must not make the mistake of leaving politics to image like Moon Jae-in. Now is the time to overcome the 'terrible two Lee Jin-sooks' who are undermining their sincerity through wrong personnel choices.

Personnel matters are everything; the fate of the Republic of Korea depends on them. Neglecting personnel selection is a shortcut to ruining the country.