Using available data, the paper shows how nepotism based on blood, school, and regional ties (yeongo-juui, 연고주의) monopolizes and divides Korean society, and proposes its roots and alternatives.
Negative Effect of Nepotism on the Development of Korean Society and an Exploration of an Alternative
연고주의가 한국사회의 발전에 미치는 부정적 영향과 이에 대한 대안의 모색
QUESTION
What negative effects does nepotism have on the development of Korean society, what are its psychosocial roots, and what alternatives can address it?
FINDINGS
The author points out that a small number of graduates of so-called elite schools exclusively monopolize the upper levels of society, such as politics and the economy, through school ties.
소수의 소위 일류학교 출신들이 학연에 의해 배타적인 태도로 정치, 경제 등 전반적인 사회의 상부구조…a small number of graduates of so-called first-rate schools, through school ties, exclusively [monopolize] the overall upper structure of society, such as politics and the economy…p2를 독점하는 것은, 이들의 능력이 우수한 점을 감 안하더라되…monopolizing [it], even considering their superior abilities…p2In a survey of civil servants, 83.2% of respondents named “having connections (yeongo, 연고)” as the most important condition for getting ahead.
응답자의 83. 2%가 자신의 출세에 직접적으로 영향을 주는 조건으로 가장 중요한 것 은 '연고의 유무'라고 답하였다83.2% of respondents answered that the most important condition directly affecting their advancement was “whether one has connections.”p3행정공무원 1925명을 대상으 로 조사한 바A survey of 1,925 administrative civil servants found that…p3The problem of nepotism is the closed, exclusive relationships within connection groups; those without connections are pushed out of the mainstream and disadvantaged regardless of ability.
이러한 연고주의가 가져오는 문제는 연고집단의 폐쇄 적이고 배타적인 인간관계이며The problem nepotism brings is the closed and exclusive human relationships of connection groups…p4기존의 연결고리가 없는 사람들은 자신의 능력과 관계없 이 사회의 주류에서 소외되는 결과를 낳아서 사회 에서 부당한 불이익을 당하게 되는 것이다…people without existing connections are excluded from the social mainstream regardless of their ability and suffer unfair disadvantages.p4The author interprets human relations centered on the extended family, rooted in filial piety (hyo, 효), and a collectivist culture as the basis of Korean nepotism.
대가족제도를 중심으로 한 인간관계와 집 단주의 문화의 배경을 한국인의 연고주의의 기초 로 해석할 수 있을…human relationships centered on the extended family system and the background of collectivist culture can be interpreted as the basis of Koreans’ nepotism…p7한국사회의 전통적인 가치관인 •효'사상에 뿌 리를 둔…rooted in the idea of filial piety (hyo), a traditional value of Korean society…p7IN DAILY LIFE
The saying “To get ahead in Korea, you need yeonjul (연줄, connections)” is familiar to everyone.
한국에서 출세할려면 '연줄'이 있어야 한다는 말은 우리에게 익숙한 말The saying that to succeed in Korea you must have “connections” is familiar to us…p2'연줄'이 있어야 한다는 말은 우리에게 익숙한 말 이교” 누구나 당연한 것으로 받아들인다…the saying that one needs “connections” is familiar to us, and everyone accepts it as a matter of course.p2Koreans establish who is senior or junior and who is close or distant by checking surname, origin, and alumni ties.
한국인들은 성(姓), 출신과, 동창 등의 관계에서 아래위를 따지고 친소관계를 설정Koreans weigh up seniority in relationships such as surname, origin, and alumni, and set closeness and distance…p5The saying “yujeon muchoe, mujeon yujoe” (유전무죄 무전유죄 — “with money, innocent; without money, guilty”) shows that the law is seen as applied unfairly.
소위 유전무죄 무전유 죄(有錢箕罪 無錢有罪)라는 말이 있다는 것은…the fact that there is a saying, so-called “with money, innocent; without money, guilty”…p4권력 이나 돈이 많은 특권계층이 아무 것도 없는 소외 된 사람들에 비하여 불평등하게 누리는 법질서의 파행성…the distortion of the legal order that the privileged with power or money enjoy unequally compared with excluded people who have nothing…p4In depth
This paper, more closely — every sentence carries an original quote and page number.
Background
The study starts from the concern that when a few people with inborn blood or regional ties, or school ties, take the top positions, the vast majority without such ties feel relatively deprived.
이러한 연결고리를 가지지 못하 는 절대다수의 사람들에게 상대적인 결핍감을 초 래한다…brings a sense of relative deprivation to the absolute majority who do not have these ties.p2본인의 노력과는 아무런 관계 없 이 주어지는 혈연이나 지연의 연결고리를 바탕으 로 사회의 상층부를 편파적으로 차지하거나…partially occupy the upper layers of society on the basis of blood or regional ties given regardless of their own effort, or…p2소수 의 소위 일류학교 출신들이 학연에 의해 배타적인 태도로…a few graduates of so-called top schools, through school ties and with an exclusive attitude…p2Earlier work (Kim Jin-gyun) analyzed networks of blood, regional, school, and workplace ties as the main social mechanisms driving modern Korean society.
이러 한 조직망들이 현대 한국사회를 이끌어가는 주된 사회적 기제라고 분석하였다…analyzed these networks as the main social mechanisms leading modern Korean society.p2혈연관계, 지연관계, 학연 관계 및 직장동료관계의 중요성을 강조하고…emphasized the importance of blood, regional, school, and workplace-colleague ties…p2Method
A theoretical review: it compiles newspapers, yearbooks, and existing surveys on nepotism, then interprets them through familism and collectivism–individualism.
연고집단들이 사회의 상卄조를 놓고 벌이는 배리적이 고 독점적인 행태에 대하여 실제적인 자료를 정리하였다…compiled actual data on the exclusive and monopolistic behavior of connection groups competing over the upper structure of society.p1이 연고주의의 심리 • 사회적 근간을 한국의 전통적인 가족주의와 집 단주의의 관점에서 해석을 시도하였다…attempted to interpret the psychological and social roots of nepotism from the perspective of traditional Korean familism and collectivism.p1가족주의와 집단주 의 • 개인주의의 관점에서 한국인들의 연고주의를 분석해 보고자 한다…we will analyze Koreans' nepotism from the perspectives of familism and collectivism–individualism.p5직계가족의 지분이 60%를 상회하고 있다(동아연 감, 1992)…the stake of direct family members exceeds 60% (Donga Yearbook, 1992).p2조선일보(1994. 4. 10)에 보도된 국내 30대 재 벌기업에서…in the top 30 chaebol firms, as reported by the Chosun Ilbo (April 10, 1994)…p3새로 선임된 신임 임원 481명의 지연과 학연에 따른 인적사항에 대한 분석…an analysis of the regional and school backgrounds of 481 newly appointed executives…p3각료의 43. 6%(동아일보, 1991. 7. 14.), 차관의 607/0(세계일 보, 1991.7.25.)가 영남지방 출신이다…43.6% of cabinet ministers and 60% of vice-ministers are from the Yeongnam region.p3부산과 경남 출신의 군 장성 진출이 급증하였다…the number of generals from Busan and South Gyeongsang surged.p3한국사회학회(1990)가 1988년 10월에 실시한 지역간의 갈등에 대한 조사…the survey on regional conflict conducted by the Korean Sociological Association in October 1988…p3연고주의로 인한 문제점을 내집단의 폐쇄성과 내집단 간의 매다 적 경쟁 그리고 소외집단의 반발 등으로 분석하였다…analyzed the problems caused by nepotism as in-group closedness, exclusive competition between in-groups, and backlash from excluded groups.p1Detailed findings
In the top 30 chaebol affiliates, the owner and his immediate family held over 60% of shares — the author sees this as an example of family egoism that does not separate ownership from management.
기업의 총수 및 그의 직계가족의 지분이 60%를 상회하고 있다…the shares of the company head and his immediate family exceed 60%.p2한국의30대 재벌이 소유한 534개 계열기업의 주식 소유상태를 분석하여 보면Analyzing the share ownership of the 534 affiliates owned by Korea's top 30 chaebol…p2소유와 경영을 분리시키지 않는 기업 가들의 가족이기주의를 분명하게 보여주는 실예…a clear example of the family egoism of business owners who do not separate ownership from management.p2In a survey of civil servants, 83.2% named “having connections” as the most important condition for advancement.
응답자의 83. 2%가 자신의 출세에 직접적으로 영향을 주는 조건으로 가장 중요한 것 은 '연고의 유무'라고 답하였다83.2% of respondents answered that the most important condition directly affecting their advancement was “whether one has connections.”p3행정공무원 1925명을 대상으 로 조사한 바A survey of 1,925 administrative civil servants found that…p3Among newly appointed executives of the top 30 chaebol, graduates of three universities — Seoul National, Korea, and Yonsei — made up more than half.
3개 대학의 출신이 523%로 반이상을 자지하였으며…graduates of the three universities accounted for more than half…p3국내 30대 재 벌기업에서 1994년 2월과 3월의 정기 주주총회에 서 새로 선임된 신임 임원…new executives appointed at the regular shareholders' meetings of February and March 1994 at the top 30 chaebol firms…p3서울대가 28.3%, 고려대 13.5%, 연세대 1L0%로…Seoul National University 28.3%, Korea University 13.5%, Yonsei University 11.0%…p3In a survey on regional conflict, 46% of 2,020 respondents felt aversion toward people from Jeolla Province.
대상자 2,020명 가운데 46%가 전라도 출신자에 대하여 거부감을 가졌으며…of 2,020 respondents, 46% felt aversion toward people from Jeolla Province…p31988년 10월에 실시한 지역간의 갈등에 대한 조사…the survey on regional conflict conducted in October 1988…p3On 1989 regional socioeconomic indicators (relative to the national average), Gyeongsang scored 110 while Jeolla scored only 73, showing the benefits of industrialization were excessively concentrated in Gyeongsang.
상도지역이 110인 반면에 전라도 지역은 73에 불 과하여…Gyeongsang region was 110, whereas Jeolla region was only 73…p3경제기획원의 1989년 지역별 경제사회지표에 의 하면, 전국의 평균치를 1(K)으로 기준하였을 때According to the Economic Planning Board's 1989 regional socioeconomic indicators, with the national average as the baseline…p3산업화의 혜택이 경상도 지역에만 지나치게 치우쳤음을 증 명하였다…showed that the benefits of industrialization were excessively concentrated in the Gyeongsang region.p3Busan–South Gyeongsang natives among Army brigadier-general promotions rose from 10 of 47 (21%) in the last Sixth Republic round to 14 of 43 (32%) in 1993.
준장진급자가 47명 가운데 부산 • 경남 출 신이 10명(21%)이 였으나, 1993년에는 43명 중에 서 14명(32%)을 이 지역 출신이 차지하였다Of 47 promoted to brigadier general, 10 (21%) were from Busan–South Gyeongsang, but in 1993, 14 of 43 (32%) were from this region.p3육군의 경우 6공화국의 마지막 군인 사에서In the army, at the last military promotions of the Sixth Republic…p3Blood, school, and regional ties can work separately, but in practice two or all three overlap to build stronger networks.
세가지 요소 중에서 두가지 또는 세가지 모두가 복합적으로 작용하여 강력한 연결 구조를 구축할 수 있다…two or all three of these elements can act in combination to build a powerful connective structure.p4In the author's earlier survey, Korean middle-aged men belonged far more than U.S. respondents to “involuntary” groups — ones you become a member of regardless of your own will — such as alumni associations, clan associations, and hometown associations.
미국 조사대상자보다 동창회와 종친회 그리고 향 우회 등 비자발적 집단에 훨씬 많이 소속…compared with the U.S. respondents, [Korean respondents] belonged far more to involuntary groups such as alumni associations, clan associations, and hometown associations.p6본인이 1991년에 실시한 한국과 미국의 중년남 자들이 소속한 집단의 유형에서…in the types of groups that Korean and U.S. middle-aged men belonged to, in a survey I conducted in 1991…p6구성원들 각자의 자발적 의사와 관계없이 회원이 되는 집단…groups one becomes a member of regardless of one's own will…p4Authors’ interpretation
The author argues that the strong cohesion of in-groups bound by any tie stems from the exclusiveness of traditional, blood-based familism.
내집단이 그 구성원들 간에 강력한 응집력 을 가지는 것은 혈연으로 뭉쳐진 전통적인 가족주 의의 배타성에서 기인한다고 하겠다That an in-group has strong cohesion among its members can be said to stem from the exclusiveness of traditional familism bound by blood.p7The cases of Northwest Europe and Japan show that modernization came not from family egoism or nepotism but from the whole nation thinking rationally and equally as one community.
가족이기주의나 연 고주의가 아니라 국민전체가 공동체로서 일체감 을 가지고 합리적이고 평등한 사고방식을 취함으 로써 근대화가 이루어졌음을 알 수 있다…modernization was achieved not through family egoism or nepotism but by the whole nation having a sense of unity as a community and adopting rational and egalitarian ways of thinking.p8프로테스탄티즘 윤리를 실천에 옮겼던 북서 유럽에서의 중-소생산자층의 공동체정신과 같은 역할을 하였던 것으로…played the same role as the community spirit of small and medium producers in northwestern Europe who put the Protestant ethic into practice.p8Against the objection that well-connected people actually solve problems better, the author replies that this hides the problem and defends vested interests.
이러한 반론은 문제를 해결하기 보다 문제점을 은폐한 것으로 기득권층을 옹호하여Such an objection conceals the problem rather than solving it, defending the vested interests…p9다양한 인간관계를 가진 사람이 현재의 한국사회에서는 능력이 있는 사람으로 평가될 뿐 아니라 실제로 특정집단의 문제를 더 잘 해결할 수 있지 않느냐…isn't a person with many blood, school, and regional ties not only seen as capable in Korean society today but actually better at solving a group's problems?p9Limits the authors note
In tracing the roots of nepotism, the paper does not analyze it historically and takes only a psychosocial approach.
본 논문에서는 연고-수의의 근 원을 규명함에 있어서 역사적 관점에서의 분석은 하지 않고In this paper, in identifying the origins of nepotism, analysis from a historical perspective is not undertaken…p5연고주의에 바당을 둔 한국인들의 행 동을 일종의 사회적 행동으로 보고 이에 대한 심 리사회학적 접근을 하고자 한다…we view Koreans' behavior based on nepotism as a kind of social behavior and take a psycho-sociological approach to it.p5Key terms
Nepotism (yeongo-juui, 연고주의) A pattern of social relations and behavior in which groups form on the basis of ties such as blood, region, and school.
이 논문에서 연고주의는 혈연, 지연, 학연 등 각종 연결고리를 기초로 하여 집단을 형성하는 사 회적 관계 및 행동양식의 한 유형을 가리킨다In this paper, nepotism refers to a type of social relationship and behavior pattern that forms groups based on various ties such as blood, region, and school.p2Exclusiveness of connection groups Drawing a clear line between the in-group (us) and the out-group (others).
다시 말하면, 내집단과 외집단의 구분을 분명히 하는 것이다In other words, it is making the distinction between in-group and out-group clear.p4Empowerment (권력 부여) Letting the people share, as much as possible, the authority concentrated in the state's vast power system.
여는 국가의 거대한 권력체제에 집중된 권한을 가 능한한 국민이 나누어 소유하게 됨으로써Empowerment … through the people sharing, as much as possible, the authority concentrated in the state’s vast power system…p9