(주: 연세대 영자신문 'The Yonsei Annals' 인터뷰, 2001년 겨울) Hide No Evil Kim Dong-hyun Reporter         "IN COLOMBIA, drug cartels, the government, and the army form a tripartite core of corruption in the country. Yet there are reporters who expose wrong doings at the risk of having their offices blown up by bombs or getting shot by hitman." Lee Sang-ho (Business Admin. '87), a reporter of the News Magazine 2580, an investigative report TV program at MBC, explained when asked if he had any reporter role models. "Most Colombians are aware of the corrupt connection, but they are too afraid to speak out. It takes greater courage to report what everyone knows yet are unwilling to talk about rather than report what people are unaware." Perhaps such philosophy on reporting enticed him to become an investigative reporter, but it took much soul searching and wandering during college before he could decide what he should do. "I was much in doubt and very skeptical... about myself and human beings. I held a pessimistic view on human nature. Furthermore, I didn't know how to talk to my inner self." Being uncertain of life and unable to find himself, Lee Sang-ho determined that he wanted to experience and do everything. "Even if you liked a girl, how would you know if she would be a perfect partner for you unless you had dated her for some time?" Being a reporter, he thought, was the answer. During his stay at the News Magazine 2580 he had addressed a variety of issues including embezzlement of funds by civic groups, the forgery of family registration, and the exploitation of entertainers by their managers. Bringing these issues to the surface, however, caused many hardships in addition to the difficulty of gathering information on such sensitive and at times dangerous subjects. "I must have the greatest number of legal proceedings going on of all reporters," he smiled as he explained that after all, there are people whose interests are hurt by his reporting. Lawsuits are at least legal, but many employ more shadowy means, such as a briefcase full of money, all expense paid trips, and even threats on his life. "I'm not very popular after reporting on PD bribery (money demanded by producers in return for airtime on TV and radio), so I must keep a low profile," he explained, jokingly pulling up his scarf to half hide his face. Although he light-heartedly addressed the dangers and difficulties of his career, he has been challenged many times. "Money is not the only temptation. The more insidious temptation is the greed for glory." For an investigative reporter, bigger corruption and bigger players equal bigger glory, and each person he exposes can become a trophy to hang upon the wall. "I pray to God in times of temptation. I pray Lord, use me as you will." He admits that he has given into some glory-seeking, but in order to ward off such temptation, he reflects often on his actions and remembers his original intention when he started out. "I wanted to help the weak people, to get rid of social illness. I try to remember that during hard times." His original intention, however, entailed criticism from other reporters who held a different view on how far a reporter should go. "Even the media scholars have failed to come up with a clear definition on the limits of reporting. In my opinion, a reporter who limits himself to just reporting is a historian." He believes in the active role of a reporter as a social reformer. "The reason why I don't leave it up to the police and prosecutors to correct the wrong is because the sense of justice is more important than the law itself. Many issues are not solved by the law, but rather by emotion and public opinion concerning these matters. Thus, the media has greater power than the law enforcement officers when it comes to justice." Lee Sang-ho sees great opportunity for Yonseians who wish to work in the media. "The representative traits of Yonsei Univ. are individuality and freedom-loving, but the working environment in the media industry has been unreceptive to such traits. With the revolution of corporate culture, however, the door is wide open for ambitious Yonseians with serious minds and hearts." Indeed, a serious mind and heart are undeniable characteristics of this man who has not let barriers or criticisms soften his original intention. With the Korean media under heavy criticism for politicking and misusing its authority, a reporter like Lee reassures our faith in the individual reporter if not in the system itself.