[KS] Re: Religious Intolerance

[Jacqueline Pak]

Dear Cappy and others,

If I may say a few words, still, about this topic:

1. While we well recognize the fundamentalist tendency of 
Koreans, whether as Confucians, Christians, or communists, 
what factors can be attributed to this?  Of course, we can mention
various determinisms such as the size of the country, geography, or 
certain cultural traits but that seems too facile.  I feel that 
it is the particularly utopian yearning of hanful Koreans that is 
possibly related.

2. While I am well aware of the extent of problems, including 
incessant factionalism and narrow-mindedness, of Korean-
American Christian community, they have been, perhaps, too 
harshly criticized as simply "disappointing".  As a Korean-American 
Christian, I am very proud of their accomplishments as well.  Not 
only they have made immense contributions to the nationalist 
movement, but more recently, Korean-American Christians are also at 
the forefront of assisting and improving relations with North 
Koreans.

For example, the establishment of Yanbian University of Science and 
Technology and Rajin University of Science and Technology was 
achieved by Korean-American Christians.  Due to the highly sensitive 
and difficult nature of negotiations with North Koreans, including 
with Kim Jong-il by over 100 visits to North Korea, the involved 
Christian leaders were not open about their ventures.  But now you 
can see for yourselves: http://www.yrf.net

3. With decline of funding for Korean Studies due to economic 
crisis in East Asia, the Korean-American community, especially the 
Christian organizational network, may also increasingly become the 
most important supporters of Korean Studies abroad.


Thank you,
Jacqueline Pak   














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