October 9th is the 576th Hangul Day. [The holiday marks the invention and proclamation of the Korean alphabet in 1446] The Peace Column of the Catholic Peace Weekly gives the readers some thoughts on the words we use.
It is a legal holiday established to promote the originality and scientific nature of Hangul and to raise awareness of the love of Hangul. It will be celebrated on the 10th of October this year. However, this year's Hangul Day seems somewhat gloomy.
The whole country is noisy with the president using profane language, close to abusive language on the international diplomatic stage. After attending a fund-raising event by the US President Biden at the United Nations, the rude remarks he made as he left the event became a problem. Politicians and the media were prepared with all kinds of interpretations, arguments, and excuses for the Korean language that appeared in the remarks. However, it is accepted as the truth that the president's remarks were vulgar language and were spoken to our officials (off the record caught by the mike after the event).
Politicians' gossip is not a thing of the past. Even in face-to-face conversations, some use provocative language, ridicule and slander of others. They do not choose what to say or not to say, it just comes out. But even worse than gossip are words that do harm. Gossip that is negative is more common than praise. It's a hidden insult to one's personality. It is cowardly and petty and undermines the harmony and peace of the community.
According to psychology, gossip is an expression of inferiority, dissatisfaction with reality, and loneliness. It is a sad struggle to hide frustration and humiliation, and the last resistance of a wounded soul. There are very few people who have never gossiped. So, the president's gossip and words are humanly understandable. However, the president's words, which are exposed to the whole world, must be honest and clear, and his actions must be under his control.
Pope Francis said, "If you don't gossip you are on the way to becoming a saint." Gossip no matter the logic used if you don't sincerely love the other person the words will express anger. Gossip is possible only if there is someone who accepts the conversation. Therefore, you become a sympathizer even if you do not engage in gossip but remain there. Gossip spreads quickly like poisonous mushrooms through various media such as SNS, creating more gossip. The victim of gossip can be not only the other party but also the community itself.
Distrust in politics is because politicians engage in antagonism and confrontation with each other through reckless blunt talk and gossip. The essence of politics is to reduce differences through concessions and compromises on issues that can only cause ruptures due to differences of opinion. And the difference has to be resolved through heart to heart dialogue without the
rude, rough talk.
If a president is not careful with their words, not only the dignity of politics but also the dignity of the nation deteriorates. Confucius' disciple,said to Confucius: "If you were in charge of the government what would you do first?" Confucius replied: 必也 正名乎 the proper naming of things (rectification of names). Confucius believed the
failure to understand and conduct oneself properly at least partially,was the failure to name things properly.
It means that if the cause is not right, the words will not be right, and if the words are not right, the work will not be done correctly.
Korean Hangul has been a language of communication and harmony since birth. King Sejong created 28 letters so that the people could easily learn and convey each other's meaning. It was not a language for antagonism, envy, and discrimination.
Just like the proverb that a single word conveyed well pays off a a debt of thousand 'nyang'. The power of a single word is immeasurably great and overflowing. The words and language of the leaders are not always the voices of the people nor voices from heaven. On Hangul Day, what words and language will the president use in his commemorative speech to understand the hearts of the people who are disappointed and hurt?
