[The Editors' Verdict] Jang Miran and Choi Yoonhee: The Prejudices of Our Society

"She was the pro-Moon Jae-in action leader in the sports world."

This was the opposition party's reaction to the appointment of Choi Yoon-hee as the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on December 19, 2019, during the Moon Jae-in administration. Former Vice Minister Choi was known as the "Mermaid of Asia" in the 1980s. A legendary athlete who won five gold medals in swimming at the Asian Games. At the time, her popularity rivaled that of famous celebrities.

When the national hero Choi entered public office, perceptions changed. It was not only the opposition party that viewed her coldly. "Can someone who was an athlete really do government work well?" Our society is not generous toward professional athletes entering public office. The shadow of prejudice remains the same even after the political parties' roles have reversed.

"She never showed leadership to resolve the numerous issues and conflicts in the sports world."

This was the evaluation from opposition lawmakers following the appointment of Jang Mi-ran as the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the 29th of last month. Public opinion also held a review regarding Jang’s ideological leanings. "I didn’t expect that." "It’s disappointing."... In fact, Jang has never clearly revealed any political colors. The only fact is that she was appointed to a senior position in the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

Who is Vice Minister Jang? Isn’t she the hero who won gold, silver, and bronze medals in women’s weightlifting at the Olympics? A world-class weightlifting star produced by Korea. Especially, the "golden barbell" she lifted at the 2008 Beijing Olympics remains a touching memory for the public.

Vice Minister Jang has never lived a life to be torn apart according to someone else’s tastes.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The commonality between Vice Minister Jang and former Vice Minister Choi is that both are Korean sports heroes appointed as the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Of course, achievements in the sports field do not guarantee competence in public office. However, being an athlete is no reason to underestimate one’s ability to serve in public office.

"She served the country as a weightlifter and continued as a university professor and social volunteer after retirement. Why can’t a weightlifter serve as the Vice Minister in charge of sports?" Former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Ji-won praised Jang’s appointment as the most outstanding personnel decision. It is noteworthy that an opposition politician gave high praise to a presidential appointment.

The important part starts now. Vice Minister Jang carries the task of proving that the appointing authority’s choice was correct. During her weightlifting career, she experienced that sweat and effort never betray you. This is a life experience only former athletes can have. Such experience can serve as a foundation for a smooth transition into public service.

Among the "neulgong" (career civil servants), for an "eogong" (occasional civil servant) to take root requires double or triple the effort. The priority is to blend into the public service with humility. She must establish herself as a Vice Minister who listens rather than rules. Only when this process is preceded can she develop the sports administration capabilities to bear the weight of the Vice Minister position.

The process of proving that this Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Vice Minister appointment was not a choice that politically exploited the image of a sports hero... Perhaps an even tougher time than her athlete days awaits. Vice Minister Jang’s new challenge is an opportunity to remove societal prejudices against athletes.

Isn’t that why there are quite a few who hope for Vice Minister Jang’s success beyond ideological and partisan boundaries?

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