UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | There is a famous Korean saying, Nae Koga Seok Ja, which literally translates, “My own nose is three feet long.” It is used to mean that one is so preoccupied with one's own urgent situation that one has no time to look after the circumstances of the others."

However, looking at today’s politics and public service, we need to reflect on this saying a little differently.
It is not uncommon to see a single person holding multiple titles and having their name listed in various institutions and organizations. Of course, holding multiple posts cannot be considered wrong in itself. There are also positive instances where expertise and experience are shared across various sectors of society.

The problem arises when one attempts to occupy more positions than the responsibility can handle.
If one takes on various roles when it is difficult to properly perform even a single duty, while neglecting one's actual responsibilities, that can be seen as greed rather than ability.

This is especially true for candidates for high-ranking public office, including ministers. When issues regarding past concurrent positions, potential conflicts of interest, the process of wealth accumulation, or various allegations are raised during the candidate vetting process, the public does not simply ask, "Did they break the law?"

"Has this person truly managed his/her life and responsibilities properly enough to hold public office?" One must be able to answer that question. However, one must not conclude that corruption is confirmed merely because allegations have been raised. The facts must be thoroughly verified, and the explanations provided by the person involved must be examined fairly. Nevertheless, it is natural that those aspiring to high-ranking public office are required to possess a higher level of morality and a greater sense of responsibility than ordinary citizens.

In Buddhism, greed is referred to as 'Tam' in Korean language expression. Greed is not limited to material wealth. The desire for position, honor, and power is also 'Tam' (greed). The moment we desire another when we already possess one, or seek more titles because that is not enough, we must ask ourselves: "Can I truly handle this position?"

The public office is not an ornament to add to one's honor. It is a position where one shoulders responsibility commensurate with the authority granted by the people.

What matters is not the two Korean letters, Jang Gwan (cabinet minister), but what was done in that capacity; and what matters more than the title of "Member of the National Assembly" is the responsibility fulfilled for the people.

A single clean footprint left in one place is more precious than multiple business cards. In modern society, it is easy to mistake "how much one possesses" for ability. However, true ability does not lie in accumulating a lot. It lies in taking full responsibility for the one task entrusted to oneself until the very end.

This applies not only to politicians. It applies to business leaders, public officials, the social elite, and ourselves. Before pointing out the faults of others, we must first try and to reflect on our own responsibilities; before aspiring to higher positions, we must properly perform the duties required in the place where we currently stand.

The wisdom of "My Nose is Three Feet" (Nae ko-ra seok ja or Obi Samcheok in Chinese characters, e.g. 吾鼻三尺) tells us this today: Set your own position straight before coveting the positions of others. Before boasting of multiple titles, fulfill your single responsibility first. The leader the people desire is not someone with many titles, but someone who knows how to take responsibility; not someone who hides in the face of suspicion, but someone who knows how to explain transparently; not someone who enjoys authority, but someone who understands the weight of that authority.

A Word from the Grand Master of Dialogue:
"My Nose Is Three Feet" (Obi Samcheok). This means: “Before discussing the affairs of others, look at what is right in front of your nose first.”
It is better to fulfill one responsibility in one position than to occupy ten.
Politics should not be a skill for acquiring a position, but a responsibility to cleanly maintain the position entrusted to one by the people.
Furthermore, the heaviest business card for a public official is not a title, but trust.