Generated on DALL·E 2023. Inside a car, a civilian driver of Asian descent grips the steering wheel with tension, surrounded by seven police officers of Asian descent.

Under the Lens of Authority: Navigating the Uneven Road of Justice in South Korea

BK Park

Senior Writer 

Seoul, Korea — Imagine a scenario where you're driving with seven police officers seated next to you and in the back and front, meticulously noting every traffic violation over several days. While it might seem miraculous to avoid a ticket, the likelihood of receiving at least one citation is high due to the vigilant scrutiny of the seven officers.

This analogy aptly describes the current actions of the South Korean government, which, in collaboration with the police and prosecution, is closely scrutinizing individuals who express views or take actions deemed unfavorable or threatening to the government. Just as every driver is a potential traffic offender, anyone can be found violating the law under intense scrutiny.

Among those currently under such examination are the singer G-Dragon and former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil. Despite thorough investigations by prosecutors, no legal violations have surfaced, leaving the police and prosecution in apparent disarray. One media outlet even described the drug investigation into G-Dragon as an anti-climax. 

Meanwhile, there's a stark contrast in how the prosecution handles the case of First Lady Kim Gun-hee, who was caught on camera and committed “a great traffic violation.” Despite her blatant disregard for the law, the investigation into her actions has been notably tepid. This disparity highlights a broader issue: some individuals are aggressively pursued for minor or unintended legal infractions, while others flagrantly violating laws face little to no repercussions.

Despite his lack of substantial legal breaches, the prosecution's ongoing efforts to detain Song Young-gil and their lenient approach towards Kim Gun-hee, who openly defied the law, paint a concerning picture of selective justice. It's a scenario where the microscope of legal scrutiny is unequally applied, leaving some to fear wrongful accusations while others confidently evade accountability.

This climate of fear and anger is further exacerbated by the government's heavy-handed approach towards critical media, effectively silencing dissenting voices. The nation's journalistic integrity is compromised as the media parrots sensationalized celebrity drug scandals while overlooking more significant drug crime networks.

Such a situation begs for a call to action: the need to rigorously investigate clear legal violators, cease the relentless pursuit of entertainers over actual drug criminals, and allow the media the freedom to criticize and hold power to account without fear of retribution.

The current atmosphere in South Korea is one of fear and anger, driven by a government that seems to favor an authoritarian approach reminiscent of a totalitarian state. The pervasive and systematic suppression of opposition by a prosecution-heavy administration is alarming. With the upcoming elections, the dilemma of supporting a seemingly ineffective opposition party versus preventing the rise of a totalitarian regime looms large for the electorate.

In a nation nearing its status as a developed country in 2023, such a politics of fear seems anachronistic, a regressive step away from democratic ideals and justice.