Minjok and the 21st Century

Greetings all

For your final assignment, you are expected to spend some time reflecting on the concept of Minjok, the history of the idea, and what it means for the future of Korean identity.

But what is Korean identity?  What does that mean to you, as the next generation of future leaders?  How do you place yourself within the meta narrative of what it means to be Korean?  This was the first question posed to you for your short in class writing and will form the basis of the discussion that follows.

Is identity really this amorphous?

What is a meta narrative?  It can be any grand, encompassing, shared story; it can be also be a story about a story, how the latter came about, creating justification or making criticism.  A meta narrative is primarily concerned with what is behind the stories we tell about ourselves, that which informs and gives shape to the way we describe the world.  A meta narrative can also be about this process of understanding what informs our perspective.

If it sounds confusing, think of it this way: meta narratives are larger than life, seemingly having meaning and vitality beyond our everyday stories, and offer insight or guidance into how we should interpret and make sense of our world.  So another way of posing the question would be: what grand stories do you place faith in (perhaps unknowingly), and how do they influence the way you live? Is there any incongruity between the story and the reality you know and inhabit?

wat.

Once we've discussed this further, our next step will be to focus on scholarship that has examined the concept of Minjok.  One of the preeminent scholars in the field is Shin Gi-Wook.  After earning his BA from Yonsei University, Mr. Shin went on to study at the University of Washington, and is now at Stanford University.  A relevant essay is his "The Paradox Of Korean Globalization".  Please read pages 5 and 6, and if unfamiliar with the idea, read up on what Segyehwa (Korean Globalization, started under Kim Young-Sam) is.  You should consider how the Korean drive towards incorporating a more globalized vision is simply one example among many of the post-colonial narrative.

Korean Globalization = expats loving kimchi?

History: AKA The Ends Justify the Means

This is necessarily brief, and in no way should be considered comprehensive; it is supposed to serve primarily as talking points during the discussion. 

During the period of Japanese colonization, the Japanese attempted to create the "Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere", and a Pan-Asiatic identity designed to facilitate the managing of an empire.  Korean intellectuals rejected this notion, and in response used the same nation building concepts to create and establish a Korean identity as a means to unite the people.  Some notable examples include Shin Chae-Ho and the controversial Yi Kwang-Su (who is interesting also because of his involvement in the Donghak movement).  Both Japanese and Korean intellectuals were borrowing ideas common in Europe at the time, largely promoted by first the French then the Germans as they sought to unify their country in terms that no longer gave legitimacy to a sovereign ruling by Divine Right.  One of the most important developments involved the legitimacy of the nation founded in folk cosmological myths and legends; these stories emphasized the deep bond the people had to the land, a bond that had existed since primordial times.  The people have lived on this land since their most distant ancestors, and are a part of it, etc.

In this context, reconsider the founding legends of Korea: Danggun, Baekdu-san, etc., and when these stories became popular.  These stories and the concept of Minjok found
increased promotion during the Park Chung Hee dictatorship, as the country needed the sacrifice of the people to industrialize rapidly: these stories found traction among a population that was expected to work hard and sacrifice for the family and country and for whom travel to other countries was severely limited, all for the promise of a brighter tomorrow.  Those who didn't share the vision were subject to 'gentle persuasion'.

In the words of Noam Chomsky, through the use of necessary illusions the people were duped to make them more efficient workers; at the time, you towed the party line, lest you face the terrors of a holding cell.  Combined with travel restrictions, the effect was marked and long lasting.  Yet Korea is now the 13th richest nation in the world.  Despite this success, Mr. Chomsky would still disagree with the whole process, as he sees most power structures that coerce people as inherently bad.  However, I doubt many modern South Koreans are too upset about the overall level of wealth the country now possesses, and the lifestyle it affords.

So do the ends justify the means?  That Korea is a success story thanks to a long period of heavy indoctrination and the threat of a heavier bludgeon is obvious.  Yet the reality of modern Korea begs the question: does the idea of Minjok in it's current form serve the needs of Korea now and in the future?  This is what you are being asked to think about.

Actual satellite image of the Korean peninsula at night.  Why didn't the use of necessary illusions work in the case of North Korea?

An interesting comparison can be made with Singapore, as they went through a very similar transition a few years before Korea, but that is beyond the scope of our discussion for now.  Great idea for a paper though.

Assignment:

Write a reflection on the concept Minjok and the 21st century.  Your essay should focus first on the history of the term then it's relevance to contemporary Korea; it will be graded on how well you have taken into consideration / engaged the readings, and reflected on the discussions in class.  A portion of the grade will also be based on how well you incorporate multimedia (links, photos, short videos) into your writing.

You aren't expected to come up with definitive answers, as these questions are in a sense life long ones, the answers to which will change as you do.  What you should be writing about is the process of negotiation, as you reflect on what new information or ideas you come across.  I would ask that you also be sure not to conflate general concepts of community with the specific type of community created in the idea Minjok.


Remember: this is worth 10% of your final grade!  The assignment is due midnight, July 7th.

Happy reading!