Effective Evangelistic Strategies for North Korean Defectors (Talbukmin) in South Korea

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Effective Evangelistic Strategies for North Korean Defectors (Talbukmin) in South Korea ABSTRACT Effective Evangelistic Strategies for North Korean Defectors (Talbukmin) in South Korea South Korean churches eagerness for spreading the gospel to North Koreans is a passion. However, because of the barriers between the two Koreas, spreading the Good News is nearly impossible. In the middle of the 1990’s, numerous North Koreans defected to China to avoid starvation. Many South Korean missionaries met North Koreans directly and offered the gospel along with necessities for survival in China. Since the early of 2000’s, many Talbukmin have entered South Korea so South Korean churches have directly met North Koreans and spread the gospel. However, the fruits of evangelism are few. South Korean churches find that Talbukmin are very different from South Koreans in large part due to the sixty-year division. South Korean churches do not know or fully understand the characteristics of the Talbukmin. The evangelism strategies and ministry programs of South Korean churches, which are designed for South Koreans, do not adapt well to serve the Talbukmin. This research lists and describes the following five theories to be used in the development of the effective evangelistic strategies for use with the Talbukmin and for use to interpret the interviews and questionnaires: the conversion theory, the contextualization theory, the homogenous principle, the worldview transformation theory, and the Nevius Mission Plan. In the following research exploration of the evangelization of Talbukmin in South Korea occurs through two major research agendas. The first agenda is concerned with the study of the characteristics of Talbukmin to be used for the evangelists’ understanding of the depth of differences. For this agenda, the researcher studies the ordinary lives of North Koreans in North Korea (chapter three), and the worldview of Jucheism (chapter four). Talbukmin are also different from North Koreans who stay in North Korea because defectors have experienced the societies of China and South Korea. The research investigates the defection process, hidden lives in China, and the adapting process to South Korean society for a fuller understanding of the Talbukmin (chapter five). The second agenda deals with effective strategies for evangelism and conversion of Talbukmin. This research investigates eight churches and one meeting that eagerly try to spread the gospel to Talbukmin. Reflecting on the evangelism and ministries of the eight churches and one meeting, the following seven characteristics commonly come into sight: support as a bridge of the gospel, small groups, formation of Talbukmin departments, formation of volunteers, nurturing and discipling Talbukmin faith, emphasis on homogeneity, and establishing independent Talbukmin communities (chapter six). This research also includes 52 interviews and 174 questionnaires (chapter seven). The researcher concludes that understanding the Talbukmin is the first step for evangelism. South Korean churches can only evangelize the Talbukmin as much as the evangelizers understand the Talbukmin. The researcher suggests an effective evangelistic model for Talbukmin using the following four steps: 1) invitation, 2) making relationships, 3) preaching the gospel, and 4) acceptance of the gospel. The following six main interactions exist concerning the third process of preaching the gospel: examples of evangelism, experiencing miracles and wonders, studying the Word of God, changing the worldview through dialectic, retreats and evangelistic camps, and developing a positive image of the Church. Concerning the whole process, waiting in prayer until the seed of the gospel springs forth is the essential ingredient for success of evangelism. DISSERTATION APPROVAL SHEET This dissertation, entitled Effective Evangelistic Strategies for North Korean Defectors (Talbukmin) in South Korea Written by Chaneung Jung And submitted in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Has been read and approved by the undersigned members of The Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary Dr. John Hong, Mentor Dr. Terry C. Muck, Reader May 2012 Effective Evangelistic Strategies for North Korean Defectors (Talbukmin) in South Korea A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary Wilmore, Kentucky In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Studies Dissertation Committee: Dr. John Hong, Mentor Dr. Terry C. Muck, Reader By Chaneung Jung May 2012 Copyright 2012 Chaneung Jung All rights reserved Table of Contents List of Tables ………...………………………………………………………………………………………………………. viii List of Figures………...…………………………………………………………………………………………………………x Acknowledgements ...…………………………………………………………………………………………………………xi CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUD TO THE STUDY………………1 Statement of the Problem ………………………………..……………………………………………………. 2 Research Questions ………………………………………………………………………………………………5 Delimitations ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 Definition of Key Terms ………………………………………………………………………………………7 Talbukmin (North Korean Defectors) ……………………………………………………7 North Korean (Talbukmin) Independent Congregation …………………………8 North Korean (Talbukmin) Churches ………………………………………………………8 Jucheism …………………………………………………………………………………………………9 Evangelism ………………………………………………………………………………………………9 Research Methodology ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 10 Library Research ……………………………………………………………………………………10 Questionnaires ……………………………….…………………………………………………….. 11 Interviewing …………………………………………………………………………………………12 Direct Observation ………………………………………………………………………………. 12 Data Analysis …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13 Significance of the Research …………………………………………………………………………….. 14 CHAPTER TWO THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ………………………………………………………16 Conversion Theory ……………………………………………………………………………………………16 The Biblical Understanding of Conversion …………………………………………16 Demands of Conversion ………………………………………………………………………17 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Conversion ……………………………………………18 Conversion Process ………………………………………………………………………………20 Richard Peace’s Understanding of Conversion ………………………20 Lewis Rambo’s Stage Model of Conversion ……………………………23 Conversion and Proselytism ……………………………………………………28 Contextualization Theory ……………………………………………………………………………………29 Homogenous Principle ………………………………………………………………………………………32 Worldview Transformation Theory ……………………………………………………………………34 Nevius Mission Plan ……………………………………………………………………………………………36 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………40 CHAPTER THREE THE DIVISION AND DIFFERENCES OF THE TWO KOREAS.42 Brief History of Division in Korea ……………………………………………………………………43 Politics …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………46 Economics…………………………………………………………………………………………………………49 Planned Economy for Self-sufficiency in Economics …………………………49 Nationalization and the Low Will to Produce ………………………………………51 iii The Public Distribution System ……………………………………………………………52 Marketplace ……………………………………………………………………………………………54 Society …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………55 The Powerful Caste System …………………………………………………………………56 The Strong Surveillance System ……………………………………………………………58 The Strong Punishment System ……………………………………………………………63 The Changes after the Great Famine ……………………………………………………64 Education ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………66 The Curriculum of the Education …………………………………………………………67 Teaching Style ………………………………………………………………………………………68 Education after Food Shortages ……………………………………………………………69 Culture …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………70 Religions ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………72 The Religious Perspective and Policy of North Korea …………………………72 Understanding Religion in North Korea ………………………………………………73 The Rise of Shamanism …………………………………………………………………………74 Christianity in North Korea ………………………………………………………………………………75 The History of Christianity in North Korea …………………………………………75 Christianity in North Korea …………………………………………………………………76 Christianity in Kim Ilsung’s Family Line ……………………………………………79 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………81 CHAPTER FOUR UNDERSTANDING JUCHEISM AND THE JUCHE RELIGION IN NORTH KOREA AND APOLOGETICS OF CHRISTIANITY TOWARD THEM ………83 The Origin and Development of Jucheism in North Korea ………………………………83 The Main Contents of Jucheism …………………………………………………………………………84 The Philosophical Principle of Jucheism ………………………………………………84 The Socio-historical Principles of the Jucheism ……………………………………85 The Guiding Principle of the Jucheism …………………………………………………87 The Religion of Jucheism in North Korea …………………………………………………………88 Suryong as a god ……………………………………………………………………………………89 Modification of Other Religions on Jucheism ………………………………………90 Promoting the Religion of Jucheism ……………………………………………………91 Apologetics of Christianity against the Jucheism and the Juche Religion ………… 93 Critique to Jucheism ………………………………………………………………………………93 Critique to the Religion of Jucheism ……………………………………………………94 The Worldview between Jucheism and Christianity ……………………………96 Human Nature in Jucheism ……………………………………………………………………97 Sin and Death of Human Beings ……………………………………………………………99 Salvation of Human Beings …………………………………………………………………102 The Understanding of Human Beings as a Historical Being ………………107 Spiritual Warfare against the Juche Religion ………………………………………109 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………………112 CHAPTER FIVE TALBUKMIN, NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS …………………………113 General Information about the Talbukmin ………………………………………………………113 iv The Motivation of Detection from North Korea ………………………………………………115 The Causes of the Great Famine …………………………………………………………115
Recommended publications
  • Course Descriptions Fall Semester 2020
    DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MĀNOA Course Descriptions Fall Semester 2020 FOCUS DESIGNATIONS E = Contemporary Ethical Issues O = Oral Communication WI = Writing Intensive H/HAP = Hawaiian, Asian, Pacific Issues NOTE: All information contained herein is subject to change without advance notice. UNDERGRADUATE COURSES HIST 151 World History to 1500 Foundations: FGA Henriksen, Margot Content: This course analyzes the historical development of human societies and their cultural traditions in all parts of the world, including Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, up to 1500 C.E. Lectures and readings offer integrated analyses of the political, social, economic, and cultural dimensions of human societies, as well as processes of cross-cultural interaction and exchange. In small weekly discussion groups, students engage in the study of writings, narratives, artifacts, or cultural practices of different peoples and societies. Overall, the course provides students with an intellectual foundation for responsible citizenship in the complex, interdependent, globalizing world of contemporary times. Requirements: To be announced. Readings: • Jerry Bentley, Herbert Ziegler, Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past, Vol. 1 • N. K. Sandars (trans.), The Epic of Gilgamesh • R. K. Narayan, The Ramayana • Sophocles, Oedipus the King and Antigone • Sheri S. Tepper, The Gate to Women’s Country • Connie Willis, Doomsday Book HIST 151 World History to 1500 Foundations: FGA Wang, Wensheng
    [Show full text]
  • Kim COPY EDITED Edits Acce
    © 2017 Equinox publishing. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Pentecostudies: an Interdisciplinary Journal for Research on the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self- archiving policy. Kim, K. (2017). Korean Pentecostalism and Shamanism: Developing Theological Self-understanding in a Land of Many Spirits. Pentecostudies: an Interdisciplinary Journal for Research on the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, 16(1), pp. 59-84. DOI: 10.1558/ptcs.31639 1 <doi>http://dx.doi.org/10.1558/ptcs.31639 <pt>Korean Pentecostalism and Shamanism: Developing Theological Self-understanding in a Land of Many Spirits <an>Kirsteen Kim1 <aa>Leeds Trinity University <aa>UK <aa>[email protected] <abh>Abstract <ab>The background to this article is the controversy caused in 1980s South Korea when some theologians accused Yonggi Cho’s Full Gospel theology of syncretizing “shamanism” with Christianity. In this article, I shall problematize the use of both “shamanism” and “Pentecostalism” in this controversy. Instead, I shall set the episode in the wider context of what might be called Korean traditional religion, which has an animistic cosmology. By pointing to an affinity between Korean Protestantism more generally and Korean traditional religion that goes back at least to the 1907 Korean Revival, I shall argue that the Pentecostal–Charismatic and the liberationist strands of Korean Protestantism together represent a developing understanding of what it means to do Christian theology in the context of animism – or in a land of many spirits. <kw>Keywords: Korea; Pentecostalism; Shamanism; Yonggi Cho; Minjung theology <ha>Introduction <p1>The background to this article is the controversy caused in 1980s South Korea when some theologians accused Yonggi Cho’s Full Gospel theology of syncretizing “shamanism” with Christianity.
    [Show full text]
  • Thank You, Father Kim Il Sung” Is the First Phrase North Korean Parents Are Instructed to Teach to Their Children
    “THANK YOU FATHER KIM ILLL SUNG”:”:”: Eyewitness Accounts of Severe Violations of Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion in North Korea PPPREPARED BYYY: DAVID HAWK Cover Photo by CNN NOVEMBER 2005 UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Michael Cromartie Chair Felice D. Gaer Vice Chair Nina Shea Vice Chair Preeta D. Bansal Archbishop Charles J. Chaput Khaled Abou El Fadl Dr. Richard D. Land Dr. Elizabeth H. Prodromou Bishop Ricardo Ramirez Ambassador John V. Hanford, III, ex officio Joseph R. Crapa Executive Diretor NORTH KOREA STUDY TEAM David Hawk Author and Lead Researcher Jae Chun Won Research Manager Byoung Lo (Philo) Kim Research Advisor United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Staff Tad Stahnke, Deputy Director for Policy David Dettoni, Deputy Director for Outreach Anne Johnson, Director of Communications Christy Klaasen, Director of Government Affairs Carmelita Hines, Director of Administration Patricia Carley, Associate Director for Policy Mark Hetfield, Director, International Refugee Issues Eileen Sullivan, Deputy Director for Communications Dwight Bashir, Senior Policy Analyst Robert C. Blitt, Legal Policy Analyst Catherine Cosman, Senior Policy Analyst Deborah DuCre, Receptionist Scott Flipse, Senior Policy Analyst Mindy Larmore, Policy Analyst Jacquelin Mitchell, Executive Assistant Tina Ramirez, Research Assistant Allison Salyer, Government Affairs Assistant Stephen R. Snow, Senior Policy Analyst Acknowledgements The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom expresses its deep gratitude to the former North Koreans now residing in South Korea who took the time to relay to the Commission their perspectives on the situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and their experiences in North Korea prior to fleeing to China.
    [Show full text]
  • Nternattona Ettn
    • Vol. 17, No.3 nternattona July 1993 ettn• Doctoral Dissertations on Mission: Ten-Year Update, 1982-1991 William A. Smalley Ten years ago the INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN OF MISSIONARY erate ever more rapidly, again reflecting change in the church RESEARCH published a directory of 934 doctoral dissertations on and in mission. Most of the topics indexed in the earlier bibliog­ mission-related subjects attheological schools anduniversities inthe raphy are to be found again in the pages that follow, but this United States and Canada. Almost four decades of research were decade also shows a distinct increase, especially in dissertations covered, from 1945 through 1982. In this issue we are pleased to dealing with theological issues in the younger churches, most present another directory of 512 North American dissertations for notably with non-traditional theologies. Liberation theology thedecade 1982-1991. predominatesamongthesenon-traditionaltheologies,butAsian, The compiler of thedirectory andauthor of thearticle below is African, black, and feminist theologies recur as well, as the William A. Smalley, afriend andcolleague ofmanyyears' standing. following summary indicates:" Now retired in Hamden, Connecticut, he is a near neighbor of the Overseas Ministries Study Center. For twenty-three years Dr. Smalley wasa translation consultant with theUnited Bible Societ­ ies, serving primarily in Southeast Asia.Duringpartofthatperiod he also edited Practical Anthropology, and for a time he was On Page principal of the Toronto Institute of Linguistics, which prepares missionary candidates for language and culture learning. Earlier 97 Doctoral Dissertations on Mission: Ten-Year Smalley wasa missionary linguistwith theChristian andMission­ Update, 1982-1991 aryAlliance in Laos andVietnam. Hismostrecent book isTransla­ William A.
    [Show full text]
  • Violations of Freedom of Religion Or Belief in North Korea
    Total denial: violations of freedom of religion or belief in North Korea September 2016 FOR PUBLIC USE Be a voice for the voiceless www.csw.org.uk Contents Executive summary 3 Recommendations 4 Christian Solidarity Worldwide and North Korea 5 Methodology 5 Freedom of religion or belief in theory 6 International law vs North Korean law on freedom of religion or belief 6 Ideological foundation vs concept of religious freedom 7 Freedom of religion or belief in practice 8 Persecution of Christians 9 Political prison camps (kwanliso) 10 Discrimination against Buddhism and Shamanism 11 Detention in China 12 Repatriation from China 13 Engagement with international faith groups and organisations 14 Conclusion 15 ‘There is almost complete denial of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as well as the right to freedom of opinion, expression, information and association’ UN Commission of Inquiry report on North Korea, 2014 Cover image: Statue in North Korea Photo: CSW extermination, enslavement/forced labour, forcible Executive summary transfer of population, arbitrary imprisonment, torture, persecution, enforced disappearance, rape and sexual The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), violence, and other inhumane acts. Documented incidents also known as North Korea, remains a uniquely isolated against Christians include being hung on a cross over a and repressed state in an increasingly interconnected fire, crushed under a steamroller, herded off bridges, global community. The isolation is maintained by and trampled underfoot. A policy of guilt by association multi-faceted aspects of the security and political applies, meaning that the relatives of Christians are also situation, and confines the people of North Korea to a detained regardless of whether they share the Christian monolithic system of control by the dynastic Kim family.
    [Show full text]
  • Korean Sovereignty, Liberal Democratic Society, and the Underwoods, 1916–1951
    Korea Journal, vol. 60, no. 4 (winter 2020): 86–114. doi: 10.25024/kj.2020.60.4.86 © The Academy of Korean Studies, 2020 Korean Sovereignty, Liberal Democratic Society, and the Underwoods, 1916–1951 Elizabeth UNDERWOOD Abstract Protestant missionaries present in Korea during the period of the US military government and the formation of the Republic of Korea (1945–1948) were observers of and, to some extent, participants in the development of an anti-communist state increasingly aligned with Korean Protestantism. Through the cases of Horace and Ethel Underwood, this paper illustrates that the missionary role in the US military government, Korean society, and Korean state formation must be understood from within the complexities of missionary experience under colonialism, approaches to missions and society, and the personal histories of missionaries with Korea. Beginning with conflicts within the Presbyterian missions in Korea and rooted in Horace Underwood’s pre-colonial Korean childhood, both Underwoods became committed to Korean autonomy and sovereignty, a stance which guided their interactions with their mission and with the American military government. In those interactions they displayed confidence in the promise of a liberal democratic society in Korea as they urged their colleagues to seek and to defer to Korean opinion. Wary of both communism and the authoritarianism displayed in the early Syngman Rhee administration, their words and actions demonstrated a strong faith in the potential of Koreans to forge and participate actively in a vibrant, open, liberal society. Keywords: Protestant missionaries, Korean Protestants, higher education, women’s organizations, USAMGIK Elizabeth UNDERWOOD is associate professor in the Department of Anthropology, Sociology, & Social Work at the Eastern Kentucky University.
    [Show full text]
  • Christian Communication and Its Impact on Korean Society : Past, Present and Future Soon Nim Lee University of Wollongong
    University of Wollongong Thesis Collections University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Year Christian communication and its impact on Korean society : past, present and future Soon Nim Lee University of Wollongong Lee, Soon Nim, Christian communication and its impact on Korean society : past, present and future, Doctor of Philosphy thesis, School of Journalism and Creative Writing - Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Wollongong, 2009. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3051 This paper is posted at Research Online. Christian Communication and Its Impact on Korean Society: Past, Present and Future Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Wollongong Soon Nim Lee Faculty of Creative Arts School of Journalism & Creative writing October 2009 i CERTIFICATION I, Soon Nim, Lee, declare that this thesis, submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy, in the Department of Creative Arts and Writings (School of Journalism), University of Wollongong, is wholly my own work unless otherwise referenced or acknowledged. The document has not been submitted for qualifications at any other academic institution. Soon Nim, Lee 18 March 2009. i Table of Contents Certification i Table of Contents ii List of Tables vii Abstract viii Acknowledgements x Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Chapter 2: Christianity awakens the sleeping Hangeul 12 Introduction 12 2.1 What is the Hangeul? 12 2.2 Praise of Hangeul by Christian missionaries
    [Show full text]
  • Dan-Gun Dan-Gun Is Named After the Holy Dan-Gun, the Legendary Founder of Korea in the Year of 2333 B.C
    Dan-Gun Dan-Gun is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year of 2333 B.C. The history of the Dan-Gun Dangun Wanggeom was the legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first kingdom of Korea, in present-day Liaoning, Manchuria, and the Korean Peninsula. He is said to be the grandson of the god of heaven, and to have founded the kingdom in 2333 BC. Although the term Dangun commonly refers to the founder, some believe it was a title used by all rulers of Gojoseon, and that Wanggeom was the proper name of the founder. Dangun’s ancestry begins with his grandfather Hwanin, the “Lord of Heaven” (a name which also appears in Indian Buddhist texts). Hwanin had a son Hwanung who yearned to live on the earth among the valleys and the mountains. Hwanin permitted Hwanung and 3000 followers to descend onto Baekdu Mountain, then called Taebaek Mountain, where Hwanung founded Sinsi (“City of God”). Along with his ministers of clouds, rain, and wind, he instituted laws and moral codes and taught humans various arts, medicine, and agriculture. One day both a bear and a tiger came to Hwanung’s residence in prayer and asked to be transformed into humans. The god agreed to this gift but on the condition that they remain out of the sun for 100 days and eat only a sacred bunch of mug- worts and 20 garlic cloves. To this the animals agreed and followed his advice. The tiger was unable to keep up with the conditions, but the bear – a female called Ung- nyo – after only 21 days was transformed into a woman.
    [Show full text]
  • Korean Students in New York City, 1907-1937 Jean H. Park Submitted
    Exiled Envoys: Korean Students in New York City, 1907-1937 Jean H. Park Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy under the Executive Committee of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2021 © 2021 Jean H. Park All Rights Reserved Abstract Exiled Envoys: Korean Students in New York City, 1907-1937 Jean H. Park This dissertation follows the activism of Korean students in New York City and the trajectory of their American education as it applied to Korea’s colonization under the Empire of Japan. As a focused historical account of the educational experiences of Korean students in New York from 1907 to 1937, this dissertation uses archival evidence from their associations, correspondence, publications, and the institutions they studied at to construct a transnational narrative that positions the Korean students operating within and outside the confines of their colonial experience. The following dissertation answers how the Korean students applied their American education and experiences to the Korean independence movement, and emphasizes the interplay of colonization, religion, and American universities in contouring the students’ activism and hopes for a liberated Korea. Table of Contents List of Charts, Graphs, Illustrations ................................................................................................ ii Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iii Dedication
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to Communication for Social Integration Between North and South Koreans Table of Contents
    Guide to Communication for Social Integration Between North and South Koreans Table of Contents Introduction 2 Importance of History 4 Perceptions and Thoughts on North Korean People 6 To Live as Neighbors 16 (Methods and Recommendations on Achieving Successful Communication to Live as Neighbors) Introduction During the first half of 2019, Misunderstandings and conflict there were over 33,000 defec- can occur in conversations even tors in South Korea. We are cur- between people who were born rently living in a time when, while in the same country and are the Korean Peninsula is still di- aware of the same cultural cues. vided, the chances of meeting a But imagine how much more North Korean are high. If that is careful one must be when talking the case, are we capable of com- with people who were raised in a municating with them with no different culture and educational problems? system. Therefore, as a human rights organization, this group fo- ‘Am I prepared to meet and live cuses on the value of human be- with people who have lived in ings and considers the possibility North Korea right now? ‘ of people meeting when North Korea is more politically open in ‘Am I prepared to interact with the future. We have collected tips and understand them?’ for a smoother conversation. “I believe that reunification must begin from the heart.” - A North Korean defector, Chae Seo-Yeon - 2 Publisher: Kim Tae-Hoon Editor in chief: Nam Bada Authors Kwon Yeong-Tae | Ministry of Unification Lecturer Park Jin-Seong | Seoul Bulgwang Middle School History Teacher Song Hyun-Jin | Ewha Women’s University Unification Studies Researcher Kim Young-Ji | Ewha Women’s University Unification Studies Researcher Yujin (Julia) Jung | University of Missouri Ph.D.
    [Show full text]
  • South Korean Corporate Culture and Its Lessons for Building Corporate Culture in China
    South Korean Corporate Culture and Its Lessons for Building Corporate Culture in China Choong Y. Lee, University Professor, Pittsburg State University, USA Jennifer Y. Lee, University of Pennsylvania, USA ABSTRACT Corporate culture, as a management theory and method, emerged as an important component of organizational success in the late twentieth century. Korea’s unique style of corporate culture is a critical element to its economic success. Both China and Korea still have a strong influence of Confucianism on everyday life; Confucianism is the most dominating component in both countries’ cultures. The Western style of management philosophy, with its associated corporate culture, is generally regarded as the most efficient and effective philosophy. However, the successful experience of Korean business based on its own corporate culture has also gained attention and praise from all over the world. Many experts and businesspersons in China are looking at the Korean style of management and its unique corporate culture with serious interest, and are considering it as the most suitable style of management for China to have continued success in its economy. In fact, corporate culture in China is only at the beginning of building its own management culture and philosophy, and is facing many problems and challenges today. The success of Korea and its economy based on its unique corporate culture and management philosophy gives China and its businesses new perspectives and ideas. This paper will analyze the formation of corporate culture in Korea, and discuss deeper understanding of Korean corporate culture, including its background and influencing factors. Also, this paper will talk about the current situation and existing problems in China regarding corporate culture and propose some ideas that Chinese businesses could learn from Korea’s success.
    [Show full text]
  • MASTER THESIS Dealing with Difficult Heritage in Seoul
    MASTER THESIS Dealing with difficult heritage in Seoul (South Korea): The case study of Japanese General Government Building By So Young Hwang Submitted to Professors Kenza Benali, Marc Saner and Scott Simon Master of Arts, Geography with specialization in Science, Society and Policy University of Ottawa /Department of Geography November 19 2016 © So Young Hwang, Ottawa, Canada, 2016 ii ABSTRACT The case concerning demolition of the Japanese General Government Building in Seoul, South Korea, from the Japanese colonialism has been discussed since Korea’s liberation in 1945, but the building had been used for many functions during that time frame. This building was finally demolished during the period 1995 to 1997, despite the national (pro-conservation group) and international (Japanese scholars and jounalists) protestations. This research analysed newspaper articles to study the conflict between pro-demolition and pro-conservation groups in the newspapers to see how, and why the conflict proceeded. Korean newspaper archives were used to search four newspapers (Dong-A, Han-Gyeo-Re, Kyeong-Hyang, and Mae-Il-Kyeong-Je) from the time period of 1991 to 1998, using the keyword ‘Japanese General Government Building’. The collected data was analysed with qualitative methodology to understand the conflicts in the newspapers. This analysis revealed three reasons put forward by the pro-conservation, Memorial and Educational Value, Art and Use Value, and Economic Value and, two reasons of pro-demolition, the Memorial Obstacle and Socio-cultural obstacle (Feng-shui as spiritual obstacle). Most reasons for pro-conservation and pro-demolition groups were classic arguments relating to other difficult heritage buildings, however, two different reasons are pertinent to this particular case: First, the government did not present any practical reasons to destroy the building.
    [Show full text]