Over-Generalization of Public Officials
Dear editor,
I strongly disagree with a March 13 editorial, ``Mice in the Warehouse,'' which generalized public officials as corrupt based on some extreme cases.
It is no longer surprising that the media questions overall officials' decency and exaggerates corrupt cases as if they stood for public officials as a whole. There are no concerns about how depressing it is to the majority of public officials who diligently serve the country with a good heart.
The editor says it is a shame that only 3 percent of public officials believed they were corrupt and this is because of a lack of conscience. This, however, means the opposite. It shows that most public officials are doing right and there is nothing to bother their conscience.
Most of them are hard and helpful workers, not mice. It is true and sad that there happen to be few corrupt public workers as in all other fields. It doesn't mean, nonetheless, that all workers should be seen and doubted as potential criminals.
The readers will have the impression that public officials, both high and low, are willing to commit embezzlement, fraud, and extortion if it's possible, by saying that bureaucrats are corrupt to the bone. It's more than a generalization; it's contempt for most of the officials.
As a teacher, I am depressed many times whenever a corrupt teacher case happens to be found and broadcast as if it is the mainstream. The media does so all the time, to the point that people believe that teachers in general are not to be trusted. Inside schools, however, there are so many overworked teachers committed to public education.
Many of us are even willing to open our own pockets to help students and I myself often do it, too. Public service is something sacred and many in the field choose their jobs with zeal.
They commit their lives to make this society a better one, and they are actually doing so. Not only the corrupt cases, but also the attitude of the media and misled people are more than frustrating, and therefore often discouraging.
I strongly insist the media stop over-generalizing public officials as a corrupt group. Then, people won't doubt the majority of public officials who do their job right.
Chang Ju-yeun
Teacher
Songpa Technical High School