By Yi Whan-woo
Groundless rumors, wild speculation and misunderstanding on national security and public safety are sweeping the nation again after the government failed to convince people concerned about the decision to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in South Korea.
The latest fear over possible trade retaliation from China and Russia and also radiation hazards associated with THAAD follows a series of myths on mad cow disease, construction of a naval base on Jeju Island, the Sewol ferry sinking and the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Remarking that the incidents all took place under the conservative governments of Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, analysts said Thursday that the Park government is to be blamed for failing to learn from past mistakes.
The two conservative governments were repeatedly accused of making decisions on sensitive issues behind closed doors without consulting related parties. They were also criticized for bungled responses toward the incidents.
"I'd say all those myths stem from public distrust toward the government," said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University. "Such distrust is not built in a short period time. And it won't go away easily once it builds up."
Choi Chang-ryul, a politics professor at Yongin University, agreed, although he said those who spread groundless rumors should be responsible for their deeds.
"Sharing information and being transparent in the decision-making process is a critical step for the government to win trust," he said. "But the Park administration seems to be far from that and shows no sign of changing."
The experts also said Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn made the "wrong approach" when he vowed to punish those who spread false information about THAAD.
"It will be appropriate for the government to counter those rumors by offering valid and scientific evidence until the people are fully convinced instead of threatening them," Choi said.
In 2008, false information on mad cow disease and human infection spread fast after Lee Myung-bak decided to resume American beef imports.
Regarding the naval base on Jeju Island, it was disputed whether the construction site was a UNESCO-designated biosphere preserve. The construction was completed in February.
In 2014, rumors were prevalent that the country's spy agency orchestrated the deadly sinking of the ferry Sewol amid the Park government's failure to rescue passengers, mostly high school students, on time.
There were wild speculations about routes for the spread of MERS in 2015 when the government was late in taking preventive measures.
In order to effectively put such rumors to rest lawmakers need to rebuild public trust, starting with increased transparency and open discussion.
Groundless rumors, wild speculation and misunderstanding on national security and public safety are sweeping the nation again after the government failed to convince people concerned about the decision to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in South Korea.
The latest fear over possible trade retaliation from China and Russia and also radiation hazards associated with THAAD follows a series of myths on mad cow disease, construction of a naval base on Jeju Island, the Sewol ferry sinking and the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Remarking that the incidents all took place under the conservative governments of Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak, analysts said Thursday that the Park government is to be blamed for failing to learn from past mistakes.
The two conservative governments were repeatedly accused of making decisions on sensitive issues behind closed doors without consulting related parties. They were also criticized for bungled responses toward the incidents.
"I'd say all those myths stem from public distrust toward the government," said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University. "Such distrust is not built in a short period time. And it won't go away easily once it builds up."
Choi Chang-ryul, a politics professor at Yongin University, agreed, although he said those who spread groundless rumors should be responsible for their deeds.
"Sharing information and being transparent in the decision-making process is a critical step for the government to win trust," he said. "But the Park administration seems to be far from that and shows no sign of changing."
The experts also said Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn made the "wrong approach" when he vowed to punish those who spread false information about THAAD.
"It will be appropriate for the government to counter those rumors by offering valid and scientific evidence until the people are fully convinced instead of threatening them," Choi said.
In 2008, false information on mad cow disease and human infection spread fast after Lee Myung-bak decided to resume American beef imports.
Regarding the naval base on Jeju Island, it was disputed whether the construction site was a UNESCO-designated biosphere preserve. The construction was completed in February.
In 2014, rumors were prevalent that the country's spy agency orchestrated the deadly sinking of the ferry Sewol amid the Park government's failure to rescue passengers, mostly high school students, on time.
There were wild speculations about routes for the spread of MERS in 2015 when the government was late in taking preventive measures.
In order to effectively put such rumors to rest lawmakers need to rebuild public trust, starting with increased transparency and open discussion.
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