Minister Kim Young-hoon and President Lee Jae-myung - The Time, Ethics, and Leadership of Public Officials

The philosophical dignity revealed in Minister Kim Young-hoon's language and attitude

The interview with Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon was particularly striking even to the eyes of a philosopher. When one thinks of a minister from the field, it is easy to imagine rough and direct language or a blunt, reality-centered mindset. However, Minister Kim's language was different. His expressions were centered around concise sentences with clearly aligned subjects and predicates, and the logical structure almost resembled reading text, reflecting his thorough self-discipline and clarity of thought. This gives the impression that he is not merely a 'minister from the locomotive background,' but an individual who has internalized his own philosophy and principles. Professor Park Gu-yong describes this by saying he is a person who has lived “very strictly with himself.” Language is a mirror of thought. The linguistic attitude revealed in the interview should be seen not just as a superficial appearance but as a result of deep responsibility and self-awareness. In particular, Minister Kim's perception of the pressure he feels in relation to the president—“an hour of the president’s time is 52 million hours for the citizens”—clearly illustrates the ethical resolve with which he carries out his public duties.

The Harmony of Conviction Ethics and Responsibility Ethics: Learning from Max Weber

Professor Park divides the ethics of public officials into two categories: 'ethics of conviction' and 'ethics of responsibility,' as presented by Max Weber in "Politics as a Vocation." Ethics of conviction emphasizes the 'intent' and 'directionality' of actions, while ethics of responsibility prioritizes accountability for outcomes. Weber's main argument is that while ordinary citizens tend to align more with ethics of conviction, politicians must be faithful to ethics of responsibility. President Lee Jae-myung is a leader who embodies both of these ethics. He places direction as the most important value. In his view, direction comes before capability, followed by diligence, and finally skills and abilities. This is in stark contrast to the common hierarchy. Typically, those with capabilities become leaders, followed by diligence, and lastly direction, but the president reveals philosophical insight by interpreting that order in reverse. Such philosophy can impose a heavier burden on high-ranking officials like Minister Kim Young-hoon. As a political minister, one must align their actions with the direction of the administration while also being accountable for the results of their work. Professor Park refers to this challenge as being a "person who must fulfill both ethics," emphasizing the ethical weight involved.

Philosophical Understanding of Time: A President Who Works Like Play

Professor Park brings the concept of 'time' to the forefront in a manner befitting a philosopher. Among the three elements of time, space, and humanity, time serves as the foundation of all human judgments and actions, and he emphasizes that it should be the most important consideration in the life of a public servant. The way President Lee Jae-myung perceives time is unique. To borrow Professor Park's expression, “The president uses work time like play.” This is not simply a description of 'working passionately.' President Lee has been addressing issues that one would expect a president to contemplate since his time as the mayor of Seongnam. At that time, no one viewed him as a presidential candidate, but he has been preparing continuously within his own frame of time. Professor Park reflects that “the very idea of a basic local government leader contemplating becoming president seemed strange.” However, that sense of strangeness soon transforms into evidence of philosophical coherence and foresight. In other words, what the president is doing now did not begin suddenly. The density of time accumulated through his experiences as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province has created the image of a 'leader who works as if it were play.' The reason the presidency does not feel foreign to him is that he has been living within that time for a long time.

Time and Influence of Public Officials as Interpreted through Escher's Prints

Professor Park visually unpacks the ethics of public officials and the concept of time by referencing Maurits Cornelis Escher's print, "Circle Limit IV." This print features a crossing arrangement of white angels and black bats, and the image that is seen first varies from viewer to viewer. The angel may be seen first, or the bat may be seen first. The proportions are the same, but perception differs. This is akin to the public's perception of a public official's actions. Even when a public official performs the same act, whether it appears "angelic" or "demonic" can depend on the perspective and context of the observer. Professor Park emphasizes this point, stating that "the actions of a public official are always between an angel and a demon." Furthermore, the President's statement that one hour of a public official's time impacts 52 million hours of the public is not merely rhetoric but symbolizes the density and ripple effect of time. Just like Escher's print, a public official's time is distorted and refracted as it reaches the citizens, which necessitates a more careful and ethical attitude.

The Courage to Say 'I Don't Know': The Philosophical Core of Leadership

Professor Park emphasizes that the ability to distinguish between what one knows and what one does not know is the most important trait for high-ranking public officials. President Lee Jae-myung also repeatedly tells public officials to "say they don't know what they don't know." This is not mere humility, but a prerequisite for problem-solving. As the density of information increases and reports flood in, public officials may tend to hide their ignorance. However, if one ambiguously glosses over what they do not know, problems are bound to arise. Professor Park quotes the President's words, stating, "Everything goes wrong from 'That might be the case.'" Recognizing ignorance is not a failure, but the beginning of awareness. At this point, Socrates' classic dictum "Know thyself" is invoked. The knowledge Socrates refers to does not entail absolute knowledge rather, it starts with recognizing one’s own ignorance. The same goes for public officials. They must be aware of their limitations, clearly report those limitations, and the ultimate decision-maker must act based on that information. This is the administrative principle of democracy and the foundation of ethical leadership.

Conclusion: The Time of Calling, The Politics of Ethics

The language of Minister Kim Young-hoon resonated beyond the 'attitude of speaking' for philosophers. He is not just a practical minister, but a public servant who has internalized ethics and direction. President Lee Jae-myung, as a politician, has a clear understanding of time, which is rare, and he integrates the continuity of the long path he has walked into his current leadership. There is no single solution for conviction ethics and responsibility ethics. In a position where one must consider direction and results, intention and responsibility together, public servants always stand between angels and demons. What is important is recognizing this, bearing the weight of it, and having the courage to say 'I do not know' when one truly does not know. The ethics demanded of public servants in today's people-sovereignty government starts from this courage. Spending one’s time with intensity and taking responsibility in leadership is precisely the ethics of a public servant as seen by a philosopher and the standard of leadership that our society should focus on today.