남북한의 문화통합과 한국교회의 과제

Abstract

When discussing the necessity of the Korean peninsula’s reunification, the discussion on recovering the ethnic homogeneity rises. A reunification to recover our homogeneity is, as the beloved lyrics say, our deepest wish. However the question of how it can actually come true should also be raised. 70 years have passed since the division, and the North and South now have very different cultures. There are a great deal of North Korea defectors who cannot adjust to the new culture and society of the South. This shows that the assignment of recovering our ethnic homogeneity is not an easy one. The South Korean society is gradually shifting towards changing into a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society. This research focuses on the reunification of the Korean peninsula from the viewpoint of cultural integration. The integration of the North and Southern culture is based on the premise of its diversity. The multi-cultural situation in the South Korean society has led the Korean church to seek a new direction for the discourse regarding the reunification of the Korean peninsula. This means that the Korean church should resolve the problems regarding the reunification, based on interculturalism. Multi-culturalism sublate certain prejudices and preconceived ideas about others and requires a new angle and relationship methods based on respect for diversity. Inter-culture takes a further step by regarding the interaction between cultures as a highly important matter. In inter-culturalism, communication and conversation is an important tool for change and growth in relationships, as well as overcoming the borders and barriers that exist between them. Inter-culturalism emphasizes cultural integration, which is more than respecting the differences in cultures. The integration of the North and South Korea’s culture is not something that is possible only post-reunification. The things that North Korea defectors have experienced in the South can contribute to the cultural integration of the North and South after the reunification. The North Korea defectors’ adjustment to the South Korean society can also be an assignment for the people in South Korea. South Korea should participate in this assignment and practice co-existence. North Korea defectors and South Koreans may see one happening or phenomenon from two different angles— and if we strengthen our efforts to understand that the difference is because of the two different cultures, then it will ultimately lead to the cultural integration of the North and South. The Korean Church’s assignment for the North and South’s cultural integration would be as follows. First, the Korean Church should find it necessary to accept inter-culturalism, based on its interest, from a Christian point of view. The Christian concept of ‘Person’ that Bonhoeffer says, shows that inter-culture is possible within the church. The social nature or the basic social relationship, according to Bonhoeffer, can be regarded as the same as the inter-relationship that is emphasized in inter-culturalism. The Korean church should be aware of the fact that when the cultural communities of the North and South meet, they are meeting within the reality of inter-culture. Second, the Korean Church should include the theological discourse regarding reunification in the Sunday School curriculum. The important point in this is the Christian peace education that reflects inter-culturalism. When the Korean Church highlights peace education based on inter-culturalism for the peace that comes from understanding, the conflicts from multi-cultural Korean society can be resolved and furthermore can contribute to solutions for the tension in North and South’s cultural community and its’ creative development. Third, the Korean Church should serve and love the North Korean defectors and multi-cultural people based on the ethics of hospitality. The cultural integration of the North and South Korea cannot simply come from theological efforts for inter-culture. True cultural integration cannot happen with only theories and lessons within the classroom. The Church should emphasize the ethics of hospitality for the lessons to bear fruit in our everyday lives.