Dear editor,

An Oct. 26 editorial, ``Widening Income Gap," denounced the incumbent government's lukewarm attitude toward income disparity, and asked for a better social welfare system.

The government, however, is not the only one to be blamed and held responsible for the issue.

As the article pointed out, the jobless rate for young people remains high. However, most jobseekers in their 20s choose to remain jobless, waiting for better opportunities.

Many of them even resist wealth redistribution policies, such as job sharing, in this economic crisis. Ironically, more and more immigrants are working at the essential but more undesirable jobs in Korea.

Also, the education system itself does not create unequal opportunity. Competition is a major growth engine in a capitalistic society.

A society can be healthy only when proper rewards are given to people who invest a great deal of time and effort for their future development.

Those who gain large profits illegally or immorally deserve harsh criticism, but those who do not deserve the rewards and respect. The problem lies in a social atmosphere where people fail to seize the value and significance of each job.

The government should do their part, monitoring corruption and expanding the budget for the poor. The public should also do their own part, creating an atmosphere where various values are respected, embracing the side effects of capitalism.

It would be wiser to acknowledge the possible demerits of capitalism and be willing to take the merits of the system in a constructive way. It is not an option, but a way to go.

Kim Hyo-jeong
Seoul
Kimyo_@hanmail.net