{"id":2203188,"date":"2023-12-21T19:24:30","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T10:24:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2203188"},"modified":"2023-12-22T19:58:10","modified_gmt":"2023-12-22T10:58:10","slug":"why-moral-character-dominates-south-korean-political-confirmation-hearings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/12\/why-moral-character-dominates-south-korean-political-confirmation-hearings\/","title":{"rendered":"Why moral character dominates South Korean political confirmation hearings"},"content":{"rendered":"

The <\/span>registration period<\/span><\/a> for South Korea\u2019s April election began on Dec. 11, setting the stage for numerous <\/span>resignations<\/span><\/a> from President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s Cabinet. <\/span>Around half<\/span><\/a> of Yoon\u2019s ministers have stepped down or are slated to resign to potentially seek election.<\/span><\/p>\n

The mass exodus now means that the National Assembly will be preoccupied with confirmation hearings to vet various nominees to fill the vacant positions for weeks or even months.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it is highly likely that for weeks ahead, domestic political news coverage will focus on candidates\u2019 moral and ethical standing rather than anything else, as it is a decades-long trend in the South Korean parliament to scrutinize personal integrity more intensely than policy expertise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The tendency for lawmakers to delve deeply \u2014 sometimes excessively \u2014\u00a0 into the personal ethics and backgrounds of potential ministers may seem foreign to some observers, but understanding the nature of such a phenomenon is essential for grasping the nuances of South Korean politics, especially as about half of Cabinet positions may see new people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

ETHICS OVER POLICY<\/b><\/p>\n

In South Korean politics, parliamentary hearings for ministerial candidates are distinctive for their intensive focus on personal ethics and moral standing. This scrutiny often overshadows discussions on policy expertise and administrative competence. For instance, recent hearings to appoint the country\u2019s new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have seen lawmakers on both sides of the aisle question, among other things, the candidate\u2019s <\/span>seeming love for golf<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This practice of scrutinizing candidates\u2019 personal lives and their long-forgotten past is not new, and often the activity on which lawmakers spend the most time. During a confirmation hearing in 2010, for instance, South Korean lawmakers <\/span>examined a candidate\u2019s school records<\/span><\/a>, which, at the time, were 50 years old. Lawmakers noted that the candidate\u2019s school record indicated that he had a tendency to be disruptive in the classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

The moral failings of candidates\u2019 family members is also investigated. When Yoon appointed Lee Dong-kwan to head the Korea Communications Commission in June, lawmakers <\/span>questioned<\/span><\/a> him about allegations that his son had been a school bully in 2011.<\/span><\/p>\n

This approach contrasts markedly with practices in other democracies. For example, in the U.S., while members of Congress consider prospective candidates\u2019 <\/span>personal history and character<\/span><\/a> during confirmation hearings, there is typically a stronger emphasis on <\/span>professional qualifications and policy positions<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This distinct focus in South Korea reveals a political culture where personal integrity and public perception play a critical role.<\/span><\/p>\n

SHIFTING VOTER PRIORITIES<\/b><\/p>\n

The persistent emphasis on individual ethics in South Korean political hearings aligns closely with voter sentiment. This trend is not arbitrary but <\/span>reflects public preferences<\/span><\/a>, as evidenced by multiple opinion polls over the last two decades.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a 2000 survey, <\/span>over half<\/span><\/a> of the respondents identified moral integrity as a crucial trait for National Assembly members. A similar poll in 2012 found that <\/span>nearly half<\/span><\/a> considered moral standards a fundamental requirement. More recently, a 2019 poll reinforced this, with respondents ranking morality and integrity as <\/span>top qualities<\/span><\/a> for Assembly members.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, recent trends suggest a shift in public opinion. A <\/span>2022 poll<\/span><\/a> revealed a pivot toward valuing expertise and ability in presidential candidates, with only 8.3% prioritizing morality. This change in priorities is more pronounced among younger Koreans.<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>2021 Gallup Korea survey<\/span><\/a> found a nearly even split between those who prioritize morality (49%) and policy competence (45%). In particular, younger respondents in their 20s and 30s showed a distinct preference for policy competence, while older generations, particularly those over 50, still largely valued morality above all.<\/span><\/p>\n

These evolving preferences among the younger demographic suggest a gradual departure from the traditional emphasis on moral character. However, the enduring significance of personal ethics in South Korean politics remains evident. This enduring focus is likely to be observed in the upcoming National Assembly hearings for new ministerial candidates, reflecting the deep-rooted nature of these values in the political culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol presides over a meeting with his Cabinet members, Dec. 19, 2023 | Image: ROK Presidential Office<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

CULTURAL ROOTS<\/b><\/p>\n

The persistent emphasis on moral integrity in South Korean politics may be rooted in <\/span>historical and cultural values<\/span><\/a> that have long influenced the country\u2019s governance philosophy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Traditionally, the ideal qualities of leadership in pre-modern Korean history have emphasized moral uprightness and personal virtue, often placing these attributes above material wealth, administrative prowess, or sometimes even dynastic successions. This perspective resonates with an arguably centuries-old belief that a leader\u2019s virtuous character is fundamental to good governance, just leadership and subjects\u2019 well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n

Voters\u2019 exposure to such norms might partly explain why, even in contemporary South Korean politics, politicians consider the personal ethics and moral conduct of public officials as something that will strike a chord with the public.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, as the nation evolves and its younger generations show a shift toward valuing policy competence, this traditional emphasis on morality may face different dynamics in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

POLITICAL MANEUVERING<\/b><\/p>\n

As South Korea has seen at least <\/span>10<\/span><\/a> new ministers reshuffled so far in the past few weeks, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) will utilize the publicly live-streamed confirmation hearings to intensely scrutinize Yoon\u2019s new aides to influence public opinion.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the DP may seek to highlight any perceived ethical lapses in ministerial candidates, the ruling People Power Party will similarly target the DP candidates for the April election, reflecting the strategic use of moral evaluations in South Korean politics.<\/span><\/p>\n

The role of the media in this process is crucial. Given the cultural emphasis on moral standards, particularly among older generations, the media\u2019s coverage of these hearings can significantly impact public perception. How these narratives are framed and communicated will be instrumental in shaping the electorate\u2019s views and, consequently, the approval ratings of political figures and parties.<\/span><\/p>\n

The upcoming elections will not only be a test of policy platforms and political competence but also a reflection of the enduring importance of personal ethics in shaping South Korean political discourse. The outcomes of these hearings and the ensuing media coverage may provide insights into the evolving priorities of the electorate and the future direction of South Korean politics.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by Jeongmin Kim and John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Culture & Society<\/span><\/a>Domestic Politics<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The registration period for South Korea\u2019s April election began on Dec. 11, setting the stage for numerous resignations from President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s Cabinet. Around half of Yoon\u2019s ministers have stepped down or are slated to resign to potentially seek election. The mass exodus now means that the National Assembly will be preoccupied with confirmation hearings […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10407,"featured_media":2203189,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[25,27],"yoast_head":"\nWhy moral character dominates South Korean political confirmation hearings - KOREA PRO<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/12\/why-moral-character-dominates-south-korean-political-confirmation-hearings\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why moral character dominates South Korean political confirmation hearings - KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The registration period for South Korea\u2019s April election began on Dec. 11, setting the stage for numerous resignations from President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s Cabinet. 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