Revisiting the Constitution
Article 1 of the Korean and German constitutions are different. Article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea is on democracy: “(1) The Republic of Korea shall be a democratic republic. (2) The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea shall reside in the people, and all state authority shall emanate from the people.”
Article 1 of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany is about human dignity and rights: “(1) Human dignity shall be inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority. (2) The German people therefore acknowledge inviolable and inalienable human rights as the basis of every community, of peace and of justice in the world.”
Article 1 of the two constitutions shows the values that each country cherishes the most. Korea values democracy and sovereignty of the people. Germany emphasizes human dignity, human rights and peace. The difference comes from history. From the late 19th century until the democratic republic was established in 1948, Korea suffered from oppressive imperialism, so Korean law prioritizes democracy and national sovereignty. Germany repents its crimes against humanity during World War II and advocates human dignity.
In one “Non-Summit” episode, we debated on whether hate speech was part of freedom of speech. There, I learned how countries have slightly different values even in the Western democratic world. American cast member Tyler Rasch said even hate speech fell under the purview of freedom of speech. I realized that the foremost value of the United States was freedom.
But I was reminded of Article 1 of the German Constitution and argued, “Freedom should be guaranteed within the boundary of not harming the dignity of others, so hate speech and remarks are beyond freedom of speech.”
Lately, debate over disbanding the far-right, neo-Nazi National Democratic Party of Germany is in progress. It is to be determined by the federal court early next year. While activities of multiple parties make public opinion more diverse in a democratic society, Germany sensitively responds to a party that undermines human dignity as it denies Germany’s constitutional values.
The history of a country makes the values of the people, and the values of the people establish the constitution. Citizens who proudly express their opinions and act upon their beliefs based on the constitution can only be found in a democratic nation.
JoongAng Ilbo, Nov. 17, Page 32
*The author is a TV personality from Germany who appeared on the JTBC talk show “Non-Summit.”
DANIEL LINDEMANN
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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