Dear editor,
I strongly agree with an Oct.28 editorial, ``Far From Cultured.'' The dictionary says culture is the customs and belief, art, way of life and social organization of a particular country or group.
I am quite doubtful as to whether Yu In-chon, the minister of culture, sports and tourism, knows of this definition or of his role as an official leader of Korean culture ― one who is expected to be a person representative of our standards. He dramatically showed his limited recognition and qualification through his vulgar words.
The most shameful thing was the fact that the minister spoke ``four-letter words'' to bystanders in a National Assembly committee chamber. His offensive words directed at photographers were not only an insult to the public but a serious violation of the freedom of the press. It was tragic that a protector of this freedom acted like an opponent of it.
During the past eight months, he has continuously shown himself as a symbol of anti-culture. He took the initiative in enforcing ideological division in the cultural community, which betrayed a major positive function of culture ― ``integration.''
About the candlelight rallies that were more cultural than previous gatherings, he falsely blamed them for a decrease in the visits of foreign tourists to South Korea in spite of other reasons ― a limited tourism infrastructure, unqualified tourism programs and high costs.
While he abandoned his official responsibility, he behaved like a public spokesman for the government. He said to the left-leaning leaders of cultural organizations at the Gwanghwamun Culture Forum on March 12, ``Those who have their own philosophies, styles and originality will step down voluntarily. Keeping their posts is like betraying their lives.''
So now, I say equally to the minister, ``Keeping your post is like betraying our culture.''
Jeon Hye-kyeong
High school teacher
Suji, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province