As a teacher at a middle school for more than 20 years, I’ve always stressed to my students -- as well as to myself -- the importance of complying with miscellaneous rules such as “Don’t leave the school premises without permission” or “Be punctual.” I do so because I have a firm conviction that complying with the rules at school will serve as a foundation for my students’ democratic citizenship.
The latest news reports involving President Park, however, have shaken my belief to its root that abiding by the nation’s laws is the No. 1 requisite to live in a democracy. She has constantly violated numerous rules, regulations and even our Constitution, which defines us a democratic society, in and around the Blue House.
One of her law-violating cases is that she doesn’t seem to keep her office hours, which our public service law stipulates. As a civil servant, she should have come to her office by 9 a.m. and stayed there at least until 5 p.m. Her security team has been reported saying their daily practices of going to the office and retreating to her residence, which had been one of the major duties of the team for previous presidents, have not taken place during her presidency. She didn’t go to her office on the fateful day when about 300 people were buried at water trapped inside the doomed Sewol ferry.
I wonder if President Park and the rest of us live in a different world. What if I didn’t go to school without notice? What if one of my students didn’t come to school without notice? Without the slightest doubt, both my student and I would be penalized, as the laws and rules specify in those cases.
When our president, who manifests our democracy by being electing, doesn’t keep her office hours, how in the world can I, as a middle school teacher, assure my students that they be required to come to school on time and be law-abiding citizens?
What if one of my students talks back, asking, “Why should I be on time when our president isn’t?” I don’t think I could refute that argument effectively. I just hope no student takes that line of logic while rebuking his or her unpunctuality.
A “president” in a democracy is not just a person who should take care of affairs in and out of the country, but also should uphold the values and attitudes society cherishes. I’d like to ask her who she thinks she is? Does she view herself as a president of a modern democracy or a queen of a kingdom? If she still believes she can do something for our children, there’s one thing she can: Admit her wrongdoings with all her heart and resign. That is the only way she can keep her grace.
Park Eun-hee Teacher Yeomgyeong Middle School, Gangseo-gu, Seoul
