The truth and the lie cannot coexist like the relationship of water and fire. But there are many controversial topics about the truth and the lie that people are talking about. The typical case of this is the present affair of Shin Jung-Ah. The people, media, readers and others who were mentioned in her essay which was published recently, argue about her book whether the book is true or a lie. The facts have disappeared and people just make irresponsible remarks. The key word of this affair is 'Responsible'. One press organization described her as courtesan and people who prejudiced against her make an ethical or moral judgment about her. But, is it a moral act to make any irresponsible judgment when facts that everyone can acknowledge do not exist? Don't I have to think about what the words can mean to others before I make a remark? Don't I have to think about the other's stance? This article is not about taking any sides. It's to discuss about the value we have to consider once. And in Dankook University, there is an incident we have to take a step back and see. It's the sexual harassment incident at the College of Business and Economics.

The beginning of this incident happened on 24 February, at the orientation of the College of Business and Economics. The girl insists that when she was asleep, one of the male student council members came and groped her body and forced a kiss on her. The accused perpetrator in this affair pleaded that he is innocent. There are still argument about it between many people and institutions. The sexual harassment which is provocative affair drew the student's interest and still many dankookians talk about this affair.

The important thing is that there are no facts. There isn't any evidence nor witnesses that can discriminate the truth or error, there are only suspicions. Also situations that are made by related people who have a suspicion make get away from the point. Under this provocative affair, there is too much speculation and rumors, and it has wounded a lot to each other.

So, the reporter sought the thoughts of dankookians about why this affair has grown seriously.

Im An-Sub (Electronic Engineering Major, Senior)

I think it's true that something happened between the two people. But I'm unsure about why this grew so serious. The situation wasn't going to get better nevertheless there was enough communication between the two people to make peace, it can't be helped to be publicly announced. But I doubt about whether there is enough communication between them when I see the public post. And I think it's an immature act that the College of Social Science criticizes one's stance as well as other student councils criticize the College of Social Science.

Lee Ji-Hae (Dept. of Law, Freshman)

As modern society developed well and individualism and anonymity have been bigger, people make gossip easily because it's not their story. We don't care if we hurt the people who are the focus of the gossip. There is no fact in the sexual harassment incident and the affair of Shin Jung-Ah. But the existence of fact is not of interest to people. People should take responsibility for the words that they have said. I think it's evil caused by individualism of the modern society.

As a result of interviews, the reporter of this article can find that many students, who took one party's stance, also doubt about the complexity of this affair. The reporter interviewed Prof. Yoo Hyon-Shik of the School of Liberal Arts in Dankook University to hear a professional opinion.

Writer: Circumstances have gone from a personal matter to a public matter. What is the reason this affair grew so seriously and complex.

Professor: First, evidence exists but it's a matter of degree. When there is no evidence but suspicion, you understand the state of situation just with 'emotion justification'. The suspicion easily changes to emotion, and suspicion changes to conviction. Then they start to justify. We need to view this affair from various perspectives. People who are implicated in this affair justify themselves not to lose their own benefit, and it cause why their stories are so different from each other. Also whatever the student council and the federation of clubs mean to express their stance, people take that as a group's conservative tendency to maintain their own system. So it has appeared as battle of an individual versus the group. Also there is influence of the disinterested party. The anonymity of internet brought irresponsibility to the public. People can easily criticize others and make irresponsible remarks through the internet, so it makes justification of emotion easily. And the public formation makes the situation bigger. In other words, this affair can be defined as collision between justifications

Reporter: Then, what would be preceded to improve this situation?

Professor: We have to think about it realistically. Being bigger than the situation nevertheless there wasn't evidences at that time is killing each other. It's not good for both to make punishment or take legal action. On the back of one step, they have to refrain from emotion, justification and search a way to lessen each wound. Because their feelings have been enraged too high, they have to meet to communicate offline. The university and counseling center should take a roll as an arbitration committee to help them reconcile.

This article is not for judging right or wrong. There are people who criticize unconditionally the other side, people who criticize about intervention of the disinterested party, and people who are onlookers But one thing is obvious: the situation is making them still hurt not understanding the other well. And one thing is also clear: a comment by a stranger online and offline may go as wound for related people. Yes. The truth and lies are living together in this situation. But, no one knows which is the truth and which is false. And may something we never see make us continually mistrust and irresponsible? If people can contemplate in back of one step, the writer of this article may have no doubt that there is a way for harmony. Finally we finish this article with a quote from the movie 'Doubt' (2008) which expresses complex human psychology about doubt.

"Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainly……."