[K-Women Talk] The Power of Dignity: Where Does It Come From?

A Powerful Nation Does Not Guarantee Dignity
Moral Leadership and Inclusiveness Must Be Embedded

Eunha Park, Former Ambassador to the United Kingdom

According to the New York Post, recent analysis of Google search data revealed that Canada was chosen as the number one country people worldwide most want to immigrate to. Following Canada are Western countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Among non-Western countries within the top 10, Japan was the only one to rank 6th. Why do people want to live in these countries? Why can't wealthier countries like the United States or powerful nations like Russia and China compete? It seems to be the power of a nation's dignity.

What is dignity, and why is a dignified life important? The dictionary defines dignity as character, personal value or behavior, nobility, and dignity. Dignity is not metaphysical or disconnected from our daily lives. It is closely linked to our lifestyle and determines the quality of our lives. When we associate with dignified people, we feel pleasant, and living in a dignified society allows us to enjoy a more comfortable and happy life.

Where does dignity come from? First, it comes from consideration for others. Is our society a dignified one that cares for each other? Are we not suffering daily from a lack of dignity from the moment we open our eyes? People who shove others on crowded commutes and walk away as if nothing happened, those who slam doors right in front of the person behind them regardless of whether someone is following, and those who keep pushing in when someone holds the door open thinking the door-holder is a doorman?these are levels we might tolerate and pass by. Occasionally, passersby walking their dogs throw dog poop into our apartment complex’s recycling bins and walk away pretending not to notice. What kind of mindset is this? No matter how beautifully groomed the dog is, with such a heart, one can never be a dignified owner.

Second, dignity also arises when foolish greed is abandoned. A friend recently moved into a prestigious luxury apartment in Seoul known for its stylish community facilities, where a Dyson hairdryer was installed in the fitness room?but it disappeared within a week, a laughable incident. No matter how luxurious the apartment, the greed to take something good for free was irresistible. The desire to have one more when already owning 99, the desire for honor to cover one’s faults and be admired, and the desire for power to control others must be restrained and controlled for human dignity to thrive. The essence of dignity lies in Confucius’s teachings: a heart that feels compassion for all, a heart that feels shame for oneself, a humble heart toward others, and a heart that discerns right from wrong.

Individuals come together to form society and a nation, but the dignity of society and the nation is not solely the responsibility of individual citizens. A nation’s dignity is revealed through the accumulated level of its culture and arts, the dignity and morality of its leadership, the rule of law for a just and fair society, and the level of inclusion and philanthropy that does not exclude or marginalize minorities. The dignity of a nation permeates the dignity and quality of life of its individuals.

It is well known that the dignity of our society and country does not match that of the world’s top 10 economic powers. Politicians who have normalized insults, shouting, and outrageous remarks, a political arena where minorities are suppressed by force and cooperation is hard to find, and a society where shielding certain individuals is more important than the livelihood of the people?all seem to have completely forgotten dignity. We must remember that when leaders abandon dignity, the people also lose respect for their leaders. A country whose leaders are not respected by its people has no future. It is also true that in a liberal democracy, it is the people’s responsibility to choose their leaders. If expecting a change in leadership is difficult, we must cultivate dignified fellowship to identify and elevate dignified leaders to the stage. It is our earnest hope to leave a dignified country and dignified life to the next generation of our children.

Park Eun-ha, Former Ambassador to the United Kingdom

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