Lessons Learned From Injustice

In life, many face undeserved treatment for mistakes made by others.  Truth does shine on occasions after a great deal of suffering to the innocent party; others remain victims until death. An editorial and article in the Peace Weekly give us the story of Yun Vincent who was imprisoned for twenty years for a murder that recently a serial killer in prison for another murder, confessed.

The editorial mentions the lessons learned from this incident. Work done in correctional institutes is again attested to by the words of a man who suffered unjustly for 20 years. He entered the community of faith during the time in prison which enabled him to make it thru the twenty years.

He was imprisoned in 1989 with the sentence of life in prison. Many are the names of Catholics who were with him during those years that gave him strength and welcomed him into the community of faith. They listened to his complaints of injustice, helped him financially and when released found him a job.

The first lesson is to realize how important the ministry of correction is in the testimony of Mr. Yun, who was helped to live those years by his faith.

The other lesson is how often the legal system is not able to filter out poverty and ignorance of those they are to judge because of discrimination.

The second trial has yet to be conducted, the confession of the serial killer, the police investigation, and the testimony of Yun and the prison guard's testimony, clearly indicate that there was a big hole in our judicial system from 30 years ago. The question that can be asked is the ignorance, brutality of government power something of the past?

Support for prisoners, those released, and helping to prevent the punishment of the innocent victims are all part of the corrective ministry. This incident should reflect on whether the law is too harsh for the powerless and socially weak and whether on the other hand the powerful are indifferent and make light of the law.

Vincent Yun in a recent interview with reporters: "While in prison I thought often of a retrial but since I had no new evidence those close to me advised against it. God has entered the picture and I will have a new trial. If everything goes well I will try to live a life for others."

"While under examination they questioned me for four straight days without sleep so I confessed. I was afraid of the death penalty. I asked for another examination of the evidence but was refused. At that time a lawyer would have cost me 15.000 dollars, the money I  didn't have so they gave me a lawyer who only saw be three times in all and at the trial, he hoped that all would be done well."

It's easy to see how blind spots and prejudice were involved in this case. We let culture, personal habits and discrimination control our thoughts and behavior often to the harm of others. It is difficult to empathize with another,  walk in their shoes and open ourselves up to seeing what is before us and not only what is in our heads.

Artificial Intelligence Not All Rosy

In the Peace Weekly's Current Events Diagnosis column a college professor gives us her ideas on the world of artificial intelligence. Cars without a driver, robots, waiting at home to help with the cooking and cleaning. All we need to do is tell our speakers to play our favorite movie or music and it will be done. The washing machine will check the amount of detergent and when it runs out, automatically order a replacement.

AI will not only make our lives easier but according to TrendWatch com, a leading trend research firm: health will be a big area of concern. With knowledge of the consumer's eating habits, DNA, blood test information, they will be able to communicate medical information using apps and other devices. 

An example would be checking your eating menu and your blood pressure, recommending a two-hour walk after dinner and vitamin drinks. TrendWatch com expects AI will manage human health with numerical indicators in the manner engineers solve their problems.

A future in which AI will manage the efficiency of production, the convenience of life and our human health is not all rosy. In science fiction films, many concerns about the ethics and fairness of AI are ongoing. 

Evidence suggests that AI's current algorithms are not fair or ethical, even if the AI doesn't become a monster many problems are expected. Facial recognition system technology, for example, is said to reflect prejudice against race. White men are trusted more than the black and hiring algorithms are known in certain cases to be unfavorable towards women.

According to a survey of 27,000 consumers by a US company, 97% of consumers are concerned about the ethical use of technology, and 94% believe that the government should intervene. Fortunately, several technologies have been developed and applied at the private level that first check the fairness and ethics of AI algorithms.

Facebook uses this technology to check fairness on its platform to select companies that discriminate by age and gender in job advertisements. To increase the transparency of AI services, IBM provides program tools that identify which individuals or groups will be victims of prejudice, and the reason for unfair results, and provides developers with information to correct problems.

Competence and morality of AI are equally important. A thorough review of the moral issues that arise when technology is applied should be undertaken. Humans are more than just quantified objects that AI recognizes. If the artificial intelligence that manages human life and health is mistaken, its ramifications are huge. The human error we can forgive AI errors are not forgiven.

The big problem with AI will always be the human element. Mistakes that go in will have a ripple effect when they come out. Artificial Intelligence system will only be as good as the data that goes in.

Divorce in the Twilight Years

In her weekly Column in the Peace Weekly, a religious sister considers the problem of divorce in the twilight years which is now not an uncommon occurrence in Korea.

One day B came to the Sister crying: "My husband  had an  affair," she said, "my chest is cold and feel I am going to  die." As she listened, she wondered was the husband doing what she claimed was the case?  She met the husband by accident. He denied the affair and hated his wife so much that he didn't even bother to explain.

They have lived well for over 30 years. A Marriage Encounter couple who participated in many activities and lived an exemplary religious life. So those who knew them hearing about their separation found it hard to believe and the sister also who knew the couple before they were married found the news shocking.
 

The husband wasn't much of a talker but a family-centered person with a gentle smile and faithful social life. During her encounter with the husband, he was greatly disturbed and blurted out: "Am I a money-making machine? I had to worry about every penny I spent. I wanted to die."
 
It was obvious that it wasn't just a woman's problem. At the moment, it was sad to think how difficult it was  living in a situation with heartache and feelings  building up one upon another and couldn't express them. The wife was the family head, living with a passive husband, and now she wants a little life, but the husband's rebellion put a stop to all of her desires and Sister felt sorry for her. 

At some point, her husband was bothered by the wife's harsh and rough words, and the wife was annoyed by her husband's coldness, whose cause was unknown. The husband lived without receiving respect and recognition from his wife. She lived desiring a heart to heart encounter with her husband. The wife was busy with heavy housekeeping the husband worked hard to support the family and now they were busy shooting arrows of anger at each other, always the fault of the other.
 
Sister was frustrated as a friend of both. What he wants from his wife is 'respect', and what she wants from her husband is 'candid conversation'. But they refuse to even talk to each other. They made wedding vows before many guests and God. They loved each other when they got married and sacrificed for each other.

One of the causes of divorce during the twilight years of life is the lack of communication. But communication doesn't mean only the sharing of words.  First of all, communication starts with the story of the true self. So these couples should open their hearts to each other. The story of 'I', not 'you'. If one is not able to do this they may need professional help. 

Of course, speaking won't change the past. However, my view of the past may change. A small light can light up the gloom and darkness of the past and help one change the tone of the encounter with the other.  Another small light and another may appear. Then the past will look different, even if it doesn't change. If the past looks different, the present will be different. If the present changes, tomorrow will change.

Korea and Japan are Neighbors Aren't They?

At the beginning of Oct, the Catholic Northeast Asian Peace Research Institute held the 3rd International Conference on the 'History of Korean and Japanese Relations and the Healing of Memories'. Uijeongbu Diocese was the setting for the discussion and the meeting of religious and academic persons, looking for peace. The conference was sponsored by the Catholic Times and the Diocesan National Reconciliation Committee and written up in the Catholic Times.

In a welcoming speech, the president of the Catholic Times mentions that the Korean Supreme Court is deciding the responsibility of Japanese companies to provide reparations for the forced labor of Koreans and at the same time they are discussing the relationship between the two countries.

 1) Overcoming Historical Memory

A Russian professor in Korean Studies made the first presentation. Historical memory has to be overcome to realize peace. There is a need to overcome the negative image of conflict between the two nations and begin a new history with the goal of peace and prosperity. Japan's colonization on the Korean peninsula has left a negative image of Japan on the minds of Koreans. The objective situation is difficult to change, but the mutual images that each country has of the other can be improved.

 2) Healing of memory

The Japanese Church has taken the lead in restoring relations between Korea and Japan, which are deteriorating day by day, and seeks to improve the mutual image for peace in Northeast Asia.

 A keynote speech by the bishop president of the Justice and Peace Council of Japan acknowledged the responsibility and apologized for the colonial abuse. He acknowledges that Japan in the war caused indescribable suffering in many Asian countries. He also apologized for the fact that the Japanese Church cooperated with Japan's national policy of war.

A priest, a professor and the secretary of the Justice and Peace Council of the Japanese Episcopal Conference, gave the second presentation, and also apologized for Japan's war in Asia and pointed out the mistakes of the Japanese government and the media are currently making. In particular, he emphasized the social participation of the Korean church and the activities of the Japan Peace Council. Throughout the process of democratization, he explained the Japanese Church's solidarity with the Korean Church. In Japan, the regime's social control is becoming stronger, which will require that the citizens of the two countries need to be the light and hope— especially civil movements concerned with peace and human rights, and the connection between religious people and scholars.

3) Efforts for Reconciliation-Solidarity

Various opinions were shared to lead to reconciliation between Korea and Japan. Bishop of the Uijeongbu Diocese, who was in charge of the second session, looked at the issue of historical memory from the perspective of the affected party. The bishop pointed out that the root cause of the Korean-Japanese problem lies in the history of colonial rule and that it is necessary to know the history.

 Efforts for reconciliation need to be followed by the apology of the offender. However, under the current Abe regime, this is difficult so what is needed is the solidarity of the citizens. We cannot wait until the apology comes from the Japanese government but need to increase solidarity for reconciliation, and the prayers of the two countries.

A professor of Japanese Studies at the Anglican University was in charge of the second session, also argued that the civil society of the two countries should search for the wisdom to overcome the vicious cycle of conflict and confrontation between the two countries using the principles of human rights and peace.

4) General Discussion

In the third session, a comprehensive discussion on the causes and solutions to the deterioration of Korea-Japan relations was conducted. Participants expressed deep concern over the current break down of relations between Korea and Japan, and actively debated in recognition that Korea and Japan were inseparable from each other.

Participants cited that differences in perceptions on past issues between the two governments make it difficult to resolve the dispute. This is because the two countries' exchanges are centered on economics, ignoring serious reflection on fundamental historical issues.

In particular, he stressed that the Abe government should seriously and sincerely reflect on the past and actively make efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. The South Korean government also said it needed a corresponding effort. Apart from the government, solidarity and cooperation among civil society will be an important asset for peace.

In particular, the consensus was reached on the importance of education in history. In this way, the civil society of both countries jointly proposed the creation of contents that can be easily accessed by the public such as textbook production, film, drama, and animation.

They also agreed that the Korean and Japanese churches should pray and come together to improve relations and achieve peace in East Asia. In particular, it was determined to promote exchange and cooperation among all classes within the church and to eliminate feelings such as 'against Japan' and 'dislike of Korea' feelings toward each other. It was also said that efforts were needed to understand and improve the situation of the "Korean-Japanese in Japan," which are suffering greatly from the worsening relationship between the two countries.

Small Is Beautiful

A college professor in a Peace Weekly article reminds us that 'Small is Beautiful'. He tells the readers his business card contains a few things besides his name, job and contacting information. On the back of the card, he has the cover pictures of two books he has published on city planning and design— good publicity. When they take the card without looking at the backside he is sad.

 Also, he has five Chinese characters on the back. He made his own slogan to fit our Korean reality using the phrase 'Small is Beautiful'. His five words together mean: 'Many small things together give strength and beauty'. He refers to the book written by Ernst Friedrich Schumacher (1911-1977): Small is Beautiful: a study of economics as if people mattered. A book very popular around the world at that time.

But can small things be beautiful? Forget the beautiful, can small things survive around the large? Schumacher says yes. He proposes an economy that values people and respects the natural ecosystem, not an economy seeking mass production and mass consumption. When small things come together, a healthier, truer human-centered economy is possible. Is his claim that small things can be beautiful valid?

To have a decent gentle city that the citizens want, we need to see the city with new eyes. Citizens are the owners of the city; what we have is not given by fate but can change according to the wishes and courage of the inhabitants. The strength of each citizen is small but when they work together as masters by words and deeds strength increases. 

Being the author of two books on cities he is invited to give lectures. At the end of the lectures he introduces his five-word slogan:'Many small things together give strength and beauty'.

We can divide the world's economy into two, one is a dinosaur-like economy and the other is a rabbit-like economy. If we inadvertently consume the products of large corporations and multinational giants, do you think the size of the dinosaurs will shrink? If we don't help the rabbit economies, such as village businesses, social enterprises, and cooperatives, will the rabbit economies survive among dinosaurs?

How can we make a beautiful world, a world where the strong and the weak live together; a world good in God's eyes? The professor finds the answer in small is beautiful. I believe that if many small entities are in solidarity with each other and strengthened, they can be reborn as strong and beautiful new realities. 

Even if half of the population in Seoul and the metropolitan area is lost, smaller cities will benefit and need to think about how to work together with the other cities in building good public transportation and in other areas to benefit the citizens.

Grains of sand separately are weak, but when united tightly together, they are no longer weak. Smallness working together can become strong and beautiful.

'Hwa-byung' is it only a Korean Problem?

In Korea, the term 'Hwa-byung' made up of two words: 'Hwa' meaning anger and Byung, illness is used frequently. The International Classification of Diseases lists this as a Korean folk disease. 

 

The word 'Han' from the Chinese character (恨) expresses the feeling of sorrow, resentment, vexation that has not been resolved. English doesn't have any good equivalent. 

 

All Koreans know and understand what is meant. An ache of the heart may be a good rendering of the meaning.

 

'Han' is both the symptom and the cause of Hwa-byung. This feeling of victimization, resentfulness, feeling helpless and not able to resolve the situation leaves one with pent up feelings that are said to pervade the culture.

 

Koreans have had more than there share of unjust issues to deal with in their history. The many invasions, the caste system in Korean history, the period from 1910 to 1945 under the Japanese colonial rule, followed shortly after by the Korean War and the division of the country. But the reasons are not limited to external situations of the country but are expressed as arising when people are restrained from confronting their feelings of anger as a consequence of circumstances which may be in the family.

 

A doctor professor in psychiatry gives the readers in a diocesan bulletin an understanding of the symptoms and causes of the malady. Problems affect the body and become an obstacle in regulating and dealing with anger.

 

The common and major symptoms: heat welling up from inside, resentment, pent up emotions, lumps in the throat and breast. The healing process, according to the doctor is similar to many other mental problems in society. Finding what the reasons are for the feelings and working to eliminate them. Both to change thinking and behavior.

 

To prevent the onset of the illness it's necessary to keep the right balance between control and expression of the emotions. It is not healthy to become angry and not know the reason or have a good reason to be angry and to bottle it up inside. It's necessary to express our emotions properly.

 

One can't help wondering in the world today whether this is a trait limited to Korea. With the unrest we see in the world it may be a good idea for the specialists to begin studies on the existence of the 'Hwa-byung' in other cultures.

Why It's Difficult to Judge

On a street near one of the train stations in Seoul, workers gather looking for work. The police are there to keep order. The workers there to sell their manpower to feed their families. Whether it snows or rain the workers are waiting to be hired for the day when the waiting time is over there is both the mixture of joy and sadness. Those selected will take the vehicle to the worksite and the others empty-handed head home.

 The average monthly salary in Korea is about 3,000 dollars but the gap between the have and have-nots continues to get larger. So begins an article in Bible and Life by a Seoul parish priest.

 The words of Jesus come to mind in his parable of the grape workers waiting to be hired. They were the poorest in society. Worse off than the slaves of those days. The salary at that time for a day's work was one denarius, barely enough to feed a family. The kind landowner of the Gospel went looking for those without work right up to sunset to send them to his vineyard.  

 Calling the workers to work in the vineyard is not the central issue of the parable, the focus is the payment of the workers. Those who worked from sunrise got the same amount as those who worked only one hour. They received what was promised but they expected more: "They only worked for one hour and we worked the whole day in the hot sun—yet you paid them the same as you paid us!"

 It's common sense that the workers get paid according to time spent in the work done. However, in this case, the owner had a different standard. This owner did not consider the quantity or quality of the work. 

 "My ways are not your ways—it is Yahweh who speaks. Yes, the heavens are as high above earth as my ways are above your ways, my thoughts above your thoughts"(Isaiah 55:8).

In a short story called "The Last Judgment," Karel Capek (1890-1938) tells of a murderer, a serial killer, Kugler, who arrives before God to be judged. He is brought before the heavenly court to see if the afterlife would be heaven or not. God is called as a witness who explains thoroughly to the judges about the crimes. They sentence him to lifelong punishment in hell. Krugler expected God to be his judge: "Why you who is God don't judge but allow people just like me to pass judgment?"

 God answers: "I know everything if the judge knew everything... he would not be able to judge. Consequently, he must know only about the acts of killing that you are guilty of. Since I know everything I am not able to judge."

 In this short story, we are given a reason why God's judgment is always just and the reason we have to have mercy and love towards others. God knows our story from the time in the womb and from before, we see only the results of action. In the parable of the vineyard, we see only inefficient workers, God sees workers who can't find work.

 In the parable of the kindhearted owner of the vineyard, we see the loving heart of God. In this world as in the manpower markets of the world, we see the capable and not so capable. In the clamor of the world, we, on the other hand, know that God is offering us his graces everyday like food and wants us to recognize and accept the invitation.