Nationality, citizenship: FM nominee’s case

Enormous political pressure has driven the nominee for foreign minister, Kang Kyung-wha, to ask of her daughter, an adult woman who was born and raised in the United States, to give up her American citizenship so that her mother can be confirmed without opposition. The decision of the Moon administration to agree to this demand has sent shockwaves all over the world because it seems so out of character with the liberal administration of Moon Jae-in, who was elected to office with a huge mandate for change.

What is happening here goes against the basic values which we cherish. Asking an adult to give up her citizenship so that her mother can be appointed is unjust and inappropriate. This demand not only violates the basic rights of the daughter, but it goes against logic and reason.

This is worrisome in the case of a government that promised to eliminate old and authoritarian habits of the past and bring Korea in line with modern liberal democracies. After removing a president who represented the old conservative power structure through a peaceful revolution that has moved the world, this single move threatens to undo everything for which the Korean people have struggled so hard recently.

Now the question arises, “Why must we witness such a day like this in modern Korea?” Why such a demand despite all the outward pretension of modernity? Are narrow tribal loyalties still that strong and can Koreans see things only in black and white: If you are not with us then you must be with them.

Do politicians and opinion leaders really believe that the children of diplomats with American citizenship will somehow betray Korea and thus cannot be fully trusted? In this country where symbolism is everything we are sacrificing the lives of individuals because of abstractions that have no relevance.

It is imperative that Korean elites who cling to tribal thinking understand that Korea is no longer a hermit kingdom. With each passing day Korea is being integrated into the outside world like never before. A trading nation like Korea, which trades more than $1 trillion worth of goods a year internationally, can hardly afford to stay aloof from the world. Koreans who are making this great economic development possible must move around the world with their families. They can no longer be restricted by the narrow definition of tribal affiliation to prove their devotion and loyalty to their native land. In response to the situation, they need to adopt local customs and traditions, and to follow the law of the land where they reside. This does not make them less Korean than those who hold Korean passports. In fact living in foreign countries away from their loved ones may strengthen their concern for their native country, not lessen it.

What is happening here is the low side of politics. Certain elements want to use tribal thinking for their own purposes, seeing a possibility to get at the newly elected president with a huge mandate for change. Sadly nationalism is used to stir up emotions for political ends.

If the administration agrees to such unjust demands, it will undercut everything that the new president stands for. These narrow considerations threaten to take Korea back by two hundred years.

Thus it is imperative that during parliamentary confirmation hearings the new foreign minister declare that she cannot force her adult daughter to go against her own free will.

Forcing her daughter to change her citizenship may win her high government position, but Korea will certainly lose.

The daughter has her rights which must be respected.

Even though already enough harm has been done, it is still not too late to correct the mistake. To prove this action is not representative of the new Moon government but only a small faction still associated with the old heritage and backward-thinking, there is an urgent need to set the facts straight.

If the Moon government wants to show that it stands for change, what could be stronger than to begin this new term by defending the rights of its daughters?

Actions speak louder than words.