This phenomenon, from an outsider's point of view, might be extremely unique or hard to understand. Why does it make such big news that someone, who achieved his or her current position in society with innate talents or by arduous discipline, actually hadn't studied at some university in the past? Why did those people, with or without intention, choose to suffer the pang of conscience as they tried to win school titles? If those celebrities, seemingly having all that one could wish for, struggled in society because of their lack of academic credentials, it paradoxically proves the seriousness of the societal sickness in which people are forced to lead a double life.

That is, Korean society is suffering from credentialism -- an undue reliance on or admiration for credentials such as university degrees. It's in many ways similar to Korean society's obsession with luxury designer goods. Many fall into narcissism and believe their social status has been heightened by buying expensive designer brand items such as handbags and clothes, spending more money than they can afford. Likewise, by wearing a fake gown of degrees from certain universities, people mistakenly believe they gain the same level of knowledge, culture and abilities. And this false consciousness is widely shared by many members of society.

Of course there is a significant amount of meaning in the kind of education one can get from a specific educational institute. Just as we choose to buy certain products because of trusted brand names, it is more than natural that people confer on graduates of certain schools a status equivalent to the level of value which that educational institute has in society. That's what those famed schools have as assets, and why they strive to maintain that value and the societal credit that goes with it.

Completing an educational course, however, is just as good as taking the preparatory steps for whatever activities that might come after education. The actual evaluation of the significance that education holds can only be done after a certain period of time elapses, when one performs his or her duty at home and work.

After all, crediting one's academic records and titles too much shows the spiritual hollowness and underdevelopment of Koreans. Whether it's for individuals or for a nation, advancement can take place when people's perspectives are future-oriented. When one begins to hold onto something that was done in the past, and give too much meaning to it, the person's life starts to get retarded. What is more important is what that person is achieving at the moment, and what kind of potential that person has. If the person made a due amount of effort to succeed in society, despite a not-impressive education, the society needs to encourage this, and justly evaluate the person's achievement. That's the mark of a society with a growth potential.

What is fortunate amid the snowballing controversy over the fake-degree scandals is the fact that the Koreans seem to be reflecting on themselves for their reckless credentialism. Businesses are now required to look at individual applicant's potential and uniqueness, instead of relying on a perfunctory examination of academic credentials and prioritization of grades. Korean society will become mature when its members realize that certificates of graduation are only good as reference materials to one's abilities.

By Kim Dong-hoon

2007.09.20