[The Editors' Verdict] The LH Scandal That Undermined "Fairness"

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Il-kwon] Allegations of land speculation involving some employees of the public corporation Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) are shaking the entire nation. The backlash from local residents in the affected areas, as well as the political sphere, has turned this issue into a hot topic. The government and ruling party are actively working to contain the situation by proposing measures to prevent recurrence. Although some express cynical pessimism, saying, "Where else but LH would there be such misconduct by quasi-civil servants?" the impact of this incident is unlikely to be short-lived.

Above all, the issue is far from trivial because it damages the important value of "fairness," especially among the younger generation. There is great anger over the use of confidential information?unknown to anyone not involved in policy decisions?not for the public good but for personal gain. People strongly feel the unfairness of starting from a different starting line due to the misuse of public information. While unavoidable wealth inequality may be tolerated, unfair processes and their resulting outcomes are unacceptable to the so-called "MZ generation," referring to those in their 20s and 30s today.

In particular, the current government has emphasized the value of "fairness" since its inception, which only heightens the sense of deprivation felt by ordinary citizens. President Moon stated in his 2017 inaugural speech, "Opportunities will be equal, processes will be fair, and outcomes will be just." Applying this to the LH scandal, unequal opportunities led to unfair processes, and the outcomes were also unjust. With real estate prices soaring due to signals of reduced supply, the market has been divided into "those who have and those who do not." In a situation where outcomes have become extreme without a fair process, the LH scandal has been like pouring oil on the fire.

"Fairness" has already emerged as a crucial issue in our society. As income and asset polarization worsens due to growth without employment, the "fairness of processes" has become even more sensitive. Corporate performance bonuses, which would not have been an issue in the past, now require company representatives to sweat while explaining the criteria for payment, underscoring this sensitivity.

While values have changed, institutions and awareness lag significantly behind. The same applies to the disaster relief funds the government and ruling party are pushing to help struggling small business owners and self-employed individuals. The ruling party and government have decided on selective support and prepared a budget plan for parliamentary discussion. They emphasize resolving blind spots to ensure that no one is left out and that benefits reach as many people as possible.

However, since the government’s plan was announced, voices of dissatisfaction have grown louder. The policy to provide 500,000 won to street vendors who do not pay taxes has led to protests from farmers and chartered bus drivers demanding inclusion within the disaster relief fund coverage. While it is understandable that helping those in need is a national duty, excluding tax-paying farmers and drivers from support is seen as unfair. The complaint that "farmers also pay taxes" was heard as a call for a more equitable selection of beneficiaries.

Contrary to social sentiment, the government's commitment to "fairness" has regressed compared to the early days of the administration. With the next presidential election just a year away, parachute appointments in public corporations influenced by the government are rampant. Focusing more on taking care of their own people than on expertise, the vision of a fair society is becoming increasingly distant.

Fairness is connected to hope. It fosters the expectation that one can live well someday. This is the driving force behind social progress. However, unless the perception of fairness takes root, the anger and dissatisfaction in our society will be difficult to calm. There is concern that this could become a negative factor that stalls the growth engine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.