다시 보는 강정 해군기지 건설과 기독교 평화주의

Abstract

In 2005, the South Korean government declared Jeju Special Self-Governing Province as an island of peace. The government is, however, paradoxically, building a naval base at Gangjeong Village on Jeju Island. The government’s support for the building of this facility points at the need for a naval base being the result of international tension and competition. Nevertheless, public opinion is divided on this issue. This article approaches the topic of the construction of the Jeju naval base from the position of Christian pacifism. This study comprises three chapters. The first chapter examines the actual building of the base. The necessity of peace theology is the subject of the second chapter, since mainstream Protestant politicians and congregants have not been willing to listen to the views of pacifist protesters against the construction of the naval base. We found that two groups support a “realist position” that is in favor of the construction of the base: the military and the South Korean builders. The last chapter, which is the main chapter of this study, argues in favor of Christian pacifism propagated by Leo Tolstoy—who denounces national military violence—and summarizes the thoughts of Mennonite theologian and ethicist John Howard Yoder, who calls for reciprocal obedience between the nation and its citizens. Finally, we explore pacifism as believed by Quakers, including the belief that nothing can damage the relationships that human beings share.