Chutzpa

I thought yesterday would be the last piece of farce I would read in the newspaper this year. Yet today brings something more, and something to finally get me off my mental fence regarding President Lee Myung-bak.

Before I get to today’s statement in the paper by Pres. Lee, let us flash back to news in August:

President Lee Myung-bak endorsed yesterday a list of more than 340,000 convicts to be pardoned on August 15, Liberation Day, including conglomerate tycoons and politicians.

… Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo, SK Chairman Chey Tae-won and Hanwha Chairman Kim Seung-youn made the amnesty list of convicts to be pardoned and reinstated… Hyundai Motor’s Chung had been convicted of breach of trust and embezzlement. SK Chairman Chey also was convicted of breach of trust. Hanwha’s Kim was convicted of assaulting bar employees in revenge for his son.

… Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han said yesterday that the pardon list included a total of 74 businessmen…. Kim also said 240 low income and minor business owners, who had committed financial crimes because of financial stress, would be pardoned to allow them to join the economic revival drive.

… Twelve politicians were also given amnesty. The Blue House said amnesty was granted to them for reconciliation, but those who had not paid fines were excluded. Five media figures including former presidents of the Dong-A Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo as well as the former CEO of the JoongAng Ilbo will also be pardoned on Friday.

Now let’s look at today’s news:

President Lee Myung-bak said Monday that Korea must continue to embrace the rule of law and that the rich and the powerful must first set an example by strictly following the law and show that the legal system applies equally and fairly to everyone.

… “First and foremost, the elite members in our society and the government bureaucrats must follow the rule of law without exception and foster a public awareness that everyone is subject to the same rule of law,” he said.

… “The Korean public is counting on our administration to put an end to corrupt practices.”

Yeah, stop violating the law you “elite members!” I might have to pardon you again!

Then comes the cherry on top:

President Lee also pointed to a recent overseas study that argued Korea’s “national brand” is worth less than brand values of the country’s top corporations such as Samsung.

… Some factors that contributed to this finding include the lack of law-abiding spirit.

Yeah, I am sure hypocrisy like this has nothing to do with it though.