[The Editors' Verdict]A Self-Portrait of Our Society Through Four-Character Idioms

Seong-Yeop Lee, Professor at Korea University Graduate School of Technology Management and Director of the Technology Law Policy Center

In a survey conducted by Professor Newspaper, in which the author also participated, the self-portrait of Korean society in 2021 as defined by professors was the four-character idiom ‘Myoseodongcheo (猫鼠同處)’. Professor Newspaper presented six four-character idioms to 880 university professors nationwide and asked them to select two. Myoseodongcheo received 514 votes (29.2%) out of a total of 1,760 votes. The meaning is that cats and mice coexist, implying that cats do not catch mice but have become accomplices with them. Interpreted, it means that those responsible for national governance or law enforcement have become collusive with those seeking vested interests, intervening in or being involved in vested interests.

The second place was ‘Ingonnmapip (人困馬乏)’, meaning both people and horses are exhausted, reflecting that the public was tired due to COVID-19. The third place was ‘Ijeontugu (泥田鬪狗)’, meaning fierce fighting by biting and tearing, symbolizing our fierce competition for personal gain.

In 2017, when the current government was inaugurated, ‘Pasahyeonjeong (破邪顯正)’, meaning ‘breaking evil and revealing righteousness’, was selected. It reflected expectations and tasks for a new era after the impeachment of Park Geun-hye. In 2018, one year later, ‘Imjungdowon (任重道遠)’ was chosen, meaning ‘the responsibility is heavy and the road is long’. It expressed the hope that many unresolved challenges remained in the second year of the government and that they would be overcome with strong will.

In 2019, ‘Gongmyeongjijo (共命之鳥)’, a bird with two heads on one body, was selected. It means that although one side might think it can survive alone, both sides inevitably die together. This reflected the deep left-right division our society experienced during the former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk’s scandal, urging integration through coexistence and cooperation beyond political divides. However, contrary to these hopes, in 2020, ‘Asitabi (我是他非)’, meaning ‘I am right and others are wrong’, was selected. It is a newly coined term translating the Korean phrase ‘Naeronombul’ (내로남불), which criticizes the double standard of ‘romance if I do it, adultery if others do it’. It condemned the political sphere’s futile fights, blaming others for all faults and slandering each other.

The national aspirations shown in the early government years with Pasahyeonjeong (破邪顯正) and Imjungdowon (任重道遠) culminated in a sorrowful self-portrait filled with confusion, confrontation, and distrust, starting with Gongmyeongjijo (共命之鳥) in 2019, followed by Asitabi (我是他非) and Myoseodongcheo (猫鼠同處).

Although December marks the end of 2021, the COVID-19 crisis continues into its second year, causing ongoing damage to self-employed businesses and delaying the public’s return to ordinary daily life. The presidential election is approaching in March next year, but there is no policy competition, only rampant corruption allegations, causing public interest to wane. Young people who have lost dreams of employment and home ownership are hoping for a windfall through virtual asset investments.

There may be various causes for these social conditions, but above all, it is likely due to a lack of interest in the community, focusing only on the safety of oneself and family to survive fierce competition. It is time to recall the spirit of ‘Seongonghusa (先公後私)’, which prioritizes public interest over private matters or profits.

Lee Seong-yeop, Professor at Korea University Graduate School of Technology Management / Director of the Technology Law Policy Center

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