[2/26, Wed.] Is private life relevant to public life?

[kimmy25]

Public figures never have truly private lives. When that figure is a politician or other public servant, intense public scrutiny is typically defended as being in service of the public’s right to know. When allegations emerged that Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook had fathered a son through an extramarital affair, the resulting media furor was accordingly intense. After repeated denials of any wrongdoing, Chae eventually offered his resignation.

It is an age-old tale the world over: A powerful man is felled by accusations regarding his sexual propriety. But in Korean society, more so than other countries, there is little recognition of private life for those in the public eye, according to Asan Institute for Policy Studies president Hahm Chai-bong.

“There is very little sense of the separation between the public official in his or her public capacity, and that being separate from his or her private life. I know that that is an important distinction in the West or in other countries but still in the Korean context, that is a very difficult distinction to make,” said Hahm. 

“So public officials are expected to be moral exemplars as well, and that’s because of the deep, ingrained sense that the public is by definition, and thoroughly, a moral, an ethical space.”

Traditionally, Korean society believed that a leader should be the moral superior of his peers. According to the Confucian tenants of the Joseon era, only a virtuous ruler could enrich the lives of the people through the beneficence of his moral character. This legacy lives on today in contemporary Korean attitudes toward the private indiscretions of those in power, according to Hahm, who is also the co-author of “Confucianism for the Modern World.”

“The reason that you become a high official is that you are worthy of a public position which by definition means that you know morality and ethics and you have pledged to uphold that and defend that realm,” said Hahm. 

“So when you fall short of that and somehow show that in public you use or abuse or confuse your public stature for what is, not even private, but immoral or unethical conduct ― that’s just immediately cause for criticism and rebuke and loss of face and office.”

1. Do you think there is a line between private and public life for public figures?

2. Can we make a judgement to public officials and also celebrities's private life?

3. Do you want such a person to have power over people?

[kimmy25]

i have an interview on Wed, so i can't attend! Sorry.

[Ashley SK]

Have a good interview and see you after that day! ^^

[갈색눈]

Hi, I want to join your group.. I sent message to Ashley SK yesterday, but i think he didn't read it yet..TT.. Can i join u?

[Ashley SK]

I didn't get any message from you! By which did you contact me? Skype or daum email account?

[huggsy85]

Sorry. i cant join the study today. -max

[Ashley SK]

Thanks for informing and see you tomorrow, Max~

[Ashley SK]

[Ashley, Las, Dan] [Anny, Alice] [Spring, Joanna]