Mature Perspective on the Allegations of Abuse of Power by Kang Seon-woo, Morality and Politics (Professor Park Gu-yong)

1. Introduction: How Does Moral Judgment Work

The recent controversy surrounding the alleged 'abuse of power' by Kang Seon-woo, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family candidate, has become an opportunity to question not just a political issue but also how moral judgment operates. The various philosophical discussions revealed during the interview with Professor Park Gu-yong provide a significant insight that we should not consume this issue merely as a matter of factional logic or emotions. Morality is a kind of social sense that is distinctly separate from laws, and its standards can change depending on the situation, perspective, and framework of evaluation. Therefore, using morality politically or absolutizing it based on political positions is a very dangerous attitude. The case of candidate Kang Seon-woo also raises the question of how maturely our society deals with morality.

2. Standards of Moral Judgment: Outcome-Oriented vs. Intention-Oriented

Professor Park Gu-yong highlighted a very important point in an interview by referencing Jean Piaget's theory of moral development. According to Piaget, younger children tend to make moral judgments that are "outcome-oriented." In other words, the actual outcomes, the extent of harm, and visible facts are regarded as more important than the intentions of the actor. For example, judging a child who broke one cup on purpose more harshly than a child who accidentally broke three cups illustrates this tendency. However, morally mature individuals tend to judge based on "intent and process." The questions of why a person acted in a certain way, whether it was intentional, and what attitude they showed afterward become more critical criteria for judgment. This framework is also clearly evident in political moral debates. Mistakes made by oneself or allies are dismissed as "unintentional immaturity," while the mistakes of opponents are subjected to "outcome-oriented criticism," leading to selective moral judgments that are prevalent in our society. Ultimately, this operates as a means of politicizing emotions in the name of morality or using morality to justify political stances.

3. "Gapjil" and Morality: What Actions are Immoral?

The recent allegations of misconduct against candidate Kang Seon-woo can be summarized into two main points. First, there is the question of whether he directed his aides to handle private matters at his home—such as taking out the trash, organizing baguette bones, and repairing toilets. Second, there is controversy regarding the punitive cuts to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's budget. The critical moral questions here are, 'Was the action intentional?' and 'Was there sincere reflection after the act?' Particularly concerning is the shift in stance from initially claiming 'that did not happen' to offering an apology once evidence, such as text messages, emerged. This is seen as a significant issue, as it goes beyond a simple matter of conduct and reveals a more fundamental moral flaw of providing false explanations. The core of Kantian ethics asks, 'Can the action you take become a universal principle for everyone?' From this perspective, explanations must be based on truth, and intentionally distorting or concealing facts cannot escape moral criticism.

4. The Morality and Responsibility of Politicians: What Are the Standards

Should politicians be evaluated by the same moral standards as ordinary citizens? Or should they have a higher moral sensitivity and responsibility? Regarding this, Professor Park Gu-yong presents a clear stance. He argues that those in positions of public responsibility, such as politicians, professors, and journalists, should be prepared to understand and accept a broader moral sense. We must reflect on the fact that actions that were taken for granted in one's own generation or cultural background can be perceived as hierarchical or authoritative behavior by subsequent generations. Politicians serve a functional role, but within that function, emotional and moral dynamics operate as well. Therefore, merely saying 'there was no such intent' is insufficient it is essential to adopt an attitude of reflection and acceptance regarding how one's actions affect others both emotionally and structurally.

5. Why has progress been considered more moral?

One of the reasons why the allegations of power abuse against candidate Kang Seon-woo have sparked controversy is that she is a 'progressive politician'. In Korean society, there has been a strong implicit standard that 'progressives must be more moral'. This stems from the historical background where progressives claimed legitimacy by using morality as a weapon against past military dictatorships and authoritarianism. The problem now is that this morality is functioning as authority within the progressive camp. Although legitimacy was obtained by promoting morality, a culture has formed where responses are merely defensive in the face of moral criticism, or where even criticism directed at one's own side is no longer tolerated. This results in progressives undermining the 'anti-authoritarian procedures and practices' that they were originally meant to uphold.

6. How Should a Mature Civil Society Be Judged

Moral judgment is not about emotion but about attitude. Morris Melvin said, 'The beginning of freedom is to withhold judgment until one has full knowledge.' Instead of jumping to conclusions when looking at the allegations against candidate Kang Seon-woo, we should temporarily suspend our judgment and observe what intentions he had and how he reacted afterward. Moral sense is not innate but cultivated. Only when one acknowledges their mistakes and makes an effort to avoid repeating them can one achieve moral maturity. Moral criticism is not an expression of emotion but a societal warning that encourages the other party to have an opportunity for change. If candidate Kang Seon-woo had genuinely reflected on his potential to internalize his authority and demonstrated an attitude commensurate with public responsibility during the clarification and apology process, society might have been ready to forgive that mistake.

7. Conclusion: Morality is not everything in politics, but politicians cannot escape morality.

Politics is not composed only of morality. It is a realm where complex factors such as interests, efficiency, policies, and political judgment operate. However, morality is one important axis within it. Particularly, public officials are beings who move beyond the frameworks of systems or laws, influenced by societal expectations and moral trust. The controversy surrounding candidate Kang Sun-woo has become a mirror that questions not only the evaluation of a single politician but also how our society deals with morality. Are we using morality for our own gain, or are we using it as an opportunity for reflection? Moral criticism is necessary, but that criticism should not be used for political exploitation. Progress should not abandon morality, but neither should it weaponize it.