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Unification of the Korean Peninsula as Redemption of Memory: Discourse on the Unification and the Tasks of Korean Protestant Churches

  • The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics
  • Abbr : 기사윤
  • 2023, (55), pp.369-400
  • Publisher : The Society Of Korean Christian Social Ethics
  • Research Area : Humanities > Christian Theology
  • Received : March 2, 2023
  • Accepted : April 11, 2023
  • Published : April 30, 2023

Jeon Sun-young 1

1숭실대학교 숭실평화통일연구원

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the historical development process of the Korean church’s discourse on the unification and analyzes the characteristics of the discourse divided by conservatives and liberals to seek implications for the formation of a new discourse that can contribute to peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula. Until the 1980s, the government led the discussion of the unification, but after democratization, discussions on the unification have become active in the private sector. The areas where the discourse have been formed include the government, political parties, civil society, academia, and religious circles. The unification discourse of the church has been led by the progressive church at first. Then the conservative church participated in the discussion. For some time conservatives and liberals united, but later divided again. Progressive churches emphasize peace while the conservative focus on a mission. The problem is that the political discourse on the unification seems to be transmitted to the Korean church without deep theological reflection, especially in the perspective on North Korea, which has been more influenced by political ideology. Since the unification of the Korean Peninsula has a personal, historical, and social dimension with the gospel declaration, the discourse on the unification should converge in the middle direction of integrating both the unification and peace movement as welll as the North Korea mission. Therefore, this paper raises the need for a new unification discourse as redemption of memory to be created on the basis of biblical unification theology, objective information-based perspective on North Korea, and unity of church.

Citation status

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