Lee Jae-myung's special lecture, the pen of a public official is a double-edged sword.

Introduction – The Moment I Held the Passion Fruit in My Hand

Who is a public official? What changes in that moment when a citizen, who was just an ordinary person, passes the examination and receives an appointment? On the surface, nothing seems to change. They wake up in the morning, go to work, wear the same clothes, and walk shoulder to shoulder with their friends. However, as the president said, they are now people who hold the power of authority. The authority is a mysterious fan that appears in the classic 'Journey to the West.' It looks like a simple fan on the outside, but when wielded, it unleashes the force of a typhoon that shakes the heavens and the earth. The president used this metaphor to explain the 'power' held in the hands of public officials. The authority exercised by public officials is invisible but holds tremendous power. With a single approval, a single phrase, or a moment of silence, the lives of the people are affected. This text is based on the president's lecture and his meeting with newly appointed public officials, reflecting on what attitude we should hold under the name of public service.

The Identity and Weight of Public Officials

Public officials are individuals who work on behalf of the nation. However, the term 'on behalf of' carries a weight beyond mere job delegation. The president has repeatedly emphasized this fact through experiences gained as a mayor, governor, and eventually president. 'Public officials are those who exercise the authority entrusted to them by the people.' Therefore, the president, the prime minister, and a fifth-grade administrative officer fundamentally stand in the same position. Depending on how the authority delegated by the people is exercised, this country can thrive or fall. The president has stated, 'The fate of this country lies in your hands.' This is not an abstract encouragement. In reality, countless policies, civil complaints, budgets, and plans are concretized and executed through practitioners. Thus, public officials must be fully aware of the scope and impact of their work. Even a simple permit can improve the lives of some, while pushing others into despair.

The Truth of the Pachosen – What is Power

The metaphor of the presidential office is the most powerful symbol presented by the president. He states, 'The pen of a public official is the metaphor that causes a storm in the world.' This remark explains the tangible impact of the authority exercised by public officials. From simple handling of civil complaints to budget allocation, permissions, and policy-making, every public action is intertwined with the lives of numerous citizens. Public office is not originally a position with unlimited power in fact, it is the opposite. The reason for exercising power is that it is delegated by the people. The meaning of that delegation implies that it should be connected to the lives of the entire nation, not just the will of one person. Therefore, the president identified 'direction' as the foremost virtue that a public official should possess. 'What is more important than technology is direction. There must be a foundation of direction for the people and for the public.' Even if a public official has skills and abilities, if those are directed towards private interests, it is rather dangerous.

Qualities of a Public Official - Direction, Integrity, Skills

Public officials are marathon runners. The president emphasized three virtues. First, direction. One must be able to clearly answer the question, "Why are we doing this work?" Public service is both a profession and a mission. The determination to improve the lives of the people should be the starting point. Second, sincerity. Sincerity is more important than ability. Even a turtle, slower than a rabbit, reaches the finish line eventually because of its sincerity. "Being capable and having the same direction is meaningless if one slacks off." Even a small mistake, if repeated, can lead to a loss of trust. However, even if one is lacking, if they put in their genuine effort, colleagues will recognize it. Third, skills. This refers to the expertise needed to perform tasks efficiently. Policy implementation, budgeting, handling civil complaints, and communicating with the public all depend on technical capabilities. The president compared this by saying, "Even in the same restaurant, places that make customers uncomfortable differ starting from the cleanliness of the restrooms." This means that every detail, no matter how trivial it seems, creates a difference in quality.

Integrity - Money is the devil.

The president warned about the possibility of corruption among public officials, stating, 'Money is the devil. The devil comes with the face of an angel.' He emphasized the importance of integrity through specific examples. Someone offers coffee, meals, golf, or gift certificates in a friendly manner. At first, it seems like a gift, but if one is led by that hand, they may end up being harmed when that person gets caught. 'Initially, 100,000 won was impressive, but later I realized that it was recorded in the books.' Public officials must clearly draw the line in front of such temptations. He shared that, during his tenure as mayor, he installed CCTV in the meeting room to prevent corruption. 'If a contractor lies about meeting, it’s over. The burden of proof is on me. That’s why I left evidence.' Integrity is not just about not accepting money. It also includes not engaging in unnecessary contact, not misusing authority for personal gain, and maintaining trust within the organization.

Decision and Humility - When You Have Different Thoughts from the Public

There are many instances where initiatives bump into opposition. Like the questions from students in educational administration, what should one do when a policy believed to be right faces public resistance? The president says, 'In such cases, first doubt that I could be wrong.' The public is emotional but also rational. Even if they do not know all the information, they do not lose their sense of direction. So when there is opposition, one should first review and listen to others. He used the example of the illegal occupancy cleanup project in Gyeonggi-do during his time as governor. He proposed to business owners selling chicken porridge, 'Let's stop selling chicken porridge and start selling coffee,' thereby adjusting the interests. It was about returning clean nature to tourists and creating a new revenue model for business owners. If adjustments cannot be made, a decisive action must be taken. 'Policies are not truths. If adjustments are impossible, one must make a decision. The reason the public entrusted power is precisely to make that decision.'

The Power of Practitioners - Attitude, Not Class

Public office is about role distribution rather than hierarchy. The president emphasized that 'all meetings must have direct participation from the relevant staff.' While executives can coordinate the overall picture, it is the staff who know the details accurately. He states, 'If the director comes and is unsure, we bring the manager along, and if that's still insufficient, we bring the team leader, and finally, we ask the staff directly.' The scene of public office may appear as a vertical organization, but in reality, it is a collective of collaboration and communication. No one can lead national affairs or administration alone. Public officials must respect their peers regardless of age or rank.

Conclusion - Things to Remember When Wielding a Bolo Knife

The president's speech included laughter and warnings. However, at its core was a clear message. 'Public officials are those who hold the baton.' This baton is not given to just anyone. The people grant public officials immense power, and in return, they demand heavy responsibility. If the baton is wielded carelessly, it becomes a disaster. However, when accompanied by good intentions, a sincere attitude, a clean heart, and precise skills, that baton transforms from a typhoon into a favorable wind. It becomes the force that propels the lives of the citizens forward. Public officials do not need to be perfect. However, they must constantly reflect on themselves and be able to make decisions for the people to the best of their ability. Public officials in this era must move slowly but correctly. They must become those who create a wind behind the citizens. That is the path we must follow as holders of the baton.