By Kim Rahn
A group of professors believe that the government has tried to hide the truth rather than clearing suspicions.
The academic group selected the four-letter Chinese phrase “Jangdunomi” (藏頭露尾) as an idiom to characterize the year 2010, according to a professors’ journal Sunday.
The phrase describes an ostrich which, when being chased by an enemy, buries its head underground but still exposes its tail. It also denotes that a person may try to hide the truth but the truth has already been disclosed, meanwhile he or she is in constant fear lest the truth come to light.
More than 40 percent of the 212 professors surveyed by the journal earlier this month picked the phrase.
Korea University professor Lee Seung-hwan, who recommended the idiom, said the government has been busy covering up the truth whenever an incident arose, such as the illegal surveillance of a citizen by the Prime Minister’s Office, the new free trade agreement (FTA) deal with the U.S. and the passage of next year’s budget bill.
“When a citizen hears about the exposed tale and tries to find out the truth, the state power charges the citizen with causing public disorder. People, who are supposed to watch the power, are watched by the power,” Lee said.
Other professors also recognized that the government failed to resolve doubts that people have raised regarding its policies.
Professor Cho Heung-seek of Seoul National University told the journal, “The WikiLeaks’ release of diplomatic cables evinces that hidden truth is ultimately revealed. We see some signs of the government’s attempt to distort truth.”
Kyungsung University professor Ahn Cheol-hyeon said, “This year, we had numerous incidents which have led to suspicions, including the sinking of the frigate Cheonan and the illegal surveillance of citizens. The government also praised itself for the Korea-U.S. FTA, which many people criticize, and it is in line with the meaning of ‘Jangdumoni’.”