Working for Unification and Reconciliation on the Peninsula

 

In the Catholic Times' column on Reconciliation and Unification on the Peninsula a member of a research team gives the readers some thoughts on the present situation between South and North Korea.

At one time, the theory of the collapse of North Korea spread secretly. This was when the communist Eastern Bloc collapsed, and from the mid-1990s, North Korea was also faced with a life or death economic crisis. 

A large-scale defection of North Koreans who could not overcome hunger appeared and the image of young street children begging was released in the South Korean media. The news that the ration system was broken and the North Koreans were seeking food in a market system, led to wishful thinking that the conditions for a 'revolution from below' were established in North Korea.  

The expectation that North Korea could collapse had a profound effect on the South Korean government's policy toward North Korea. The most representative one was the attitude that even humanitarian aid to North Korea was criticized. The gist of this way of thinking was if left alone, the North Korean regime would have collapsed, but the North Korean government was supported and revived.  

Even though the relationship between aid to North Korea and North Korea's nuclear development could not be clearly determined, this thinking spread in the collective perception of South Korean society. This thinking was effective because of the expectation that North Korea could collapse.  

However, considering that the North Korean economic crisis actually started in the late 1980s, North Korea still survives 30 years later. The politically most sensitive area, the succession of power, was successfully accomplished for three generations, and the marketplace and 'marketization', which were considered the beginnings of the revolution from below, and the appearance of capitalists, have established themselves in the everyday areas of North Korean society.  

Although the number of North Korean defectors coming to South Korea is steady, the reason for the defection is more diversified than before, such as education for children and enjoying free cultural life rather than lack of food.  

Recently, many North Koreans, dressed well visit Panmunjeom, where only South Korean visitors appeared in the past. It is a kind of confidence in the system that they are not ashamed to present themselves to South Korea now. The predictions of those who were uncomfortable with the exchanges with North Korea because they thought the North would collapse have missed the mark. 

During that long period of crisis, North Korea has overcome difficult times and is concerned about a lack of protein and balanced nutrition among the citizens. Although North Korea's nuclear weapons have advanced, international sanctions in response to this have also been strengthened which impedes North Korea's economic development. 

Time is neither on the South Korean side nor on the North Korean side. The time when we didn't want to do anything was not enough time but we need to invest time now to achieve peace with North Korea. "So let's not judge each other anymore. Rather, be determined not to put obstacles or stumbling blocks in front of your brother" (Rom. 14:13).

The Pietà of Three Mothers

'Pietà' means grief in Italian, and is a well-known name for Michelangelo's statue the 'Pieta', which expresses the sorrow of Our Lady holding Jesus in her arms. This was a theme that has been used in the work of many artists, among which the 'Pieta' a statue by Käthe Kollwitz (originally Mother with a Dead Son) is now displayed in Berlin's Neue Wache in Berlin.

A religious sister writes in the Eyes of the Believer column of the Catholic Times on the strong feeling that the image of the mother in deep grief left her. The artist Kollwitz lost her own son in the war and the statue represents all the mothers who have lost their children through injustice and violence. There is a deep sadness in this work, but it also contains the strength of sublimated sadness. Kollwitz is an artist who overcomes sorrow and is committed to justice and peace. In her various works, the theme of the sorrow and solidarity of the underprivileged, such as workers and peasants is the theme. 

Two scenes come to the sister's mind while admiring Kollwitz's Pieta. She remembers a young man, Jeon Tae-il, who 50 years ago on Nov. 13th set himself on fire chanting "Abide by the Labor Standards Act! We are not machines!"

She recalls another woman embracing the portrait of her son Kim Yong-gyun a 24-year-old young man, an unregistered, temporary worker who died at a worksite in 2018. His body was caught in a conveyor belt for transporting coal without the proper safeguards for the workers.  

The death of Jeon Tae-il became a wake-up call to Korean society. Many began to realize that things had to change. And it did bring change and the beginning of seeing the way many of the poor were living. We had the growth in critical thinking, initiating several campaigns aimed at improving the living standards of the common people and decreasing social inequality. 

After Jeon Tae-il's death, his mother succeeded in her son's mission as a worker's mother and founded a Cloth Workers Union, committed to improving the labor reality with her colleagues. 

And in 2018, half a century later, another person who lost her young son, mother of Yong-gyun Kim participated in an activity to protest the problems with non-regular workers. After his death, his mother pledged to fight for the improvement of dangerous workplaces, listening to the analogy of the "son who fell into the well," saying how can they only be sad that the son is missing. 

We are preparing for the 50th anniversary of Jeon Tae-il's death like never before but as of 2020, the labor field has not improved much, and as of 2020, due to a heavy work load after coronavirus infection, about 7 workers a day die in the work place. Money has been put in first place over human dignity. What should be the understanding of believers on this issue?

Pope St. John Paul II, in the foreword in his encyclical on Labor says: "It is not for the Church to analyze scientifically the consequences that these changes may have on human society. But the Church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work, to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated, and to help to guide the above-mentioned changes to ensure authentic progress by man and society."

 

Pope Francis also said in a meeting with workers in 2013 that "the most important factor in human dignity is labor, and to achieve true human development, labor must be guaranteed, and this task is the duty of society as a whole."

Currently, Kim Yong-gyun's mother is shouting on the street with her son's colleagues, non-regular workers, calling for the enactment of the, "Punishment Act for Severe Accidents" ( A law aimed at protecting workers from industrial accidents by seeking punishment for the company and the relevant public officials in charge of safety management)

 

The sister concludes her article praying that the law in protection for the workers will be enacted.

Overcoming Hate in Society

 

"The real danger is what is always inside." This is what Pope Francis said in the film: The Two Popes. The real danger is those without love are like a contagious disease spreading anger and hatred. 

A parish priest writes in a bulletin for priests on the message of the German journalist and social activist Carolin Emcke in her book Against Hate, (translated both in Korean and English), on the ways hate is spread in society. She analyzes five characteristics of hate and hate feelings. 

Even in the world of faith, failing to overcome hatred toward others creates a self-centered and secularized darkness. 

First, hate and hate feelings are collectively formed according to certain ideologies, not personal and not by accident. Second, a defined style of expression—  abusive exclusion (hate speech) is necessary. Third, distorted associations and images are required to express a hate feeling. Fourth, understanding of self-love that justifies hate feelings. Fifth, the feelings of hate need to be formed and nurtured. 

Hatred is the feeling that arises when you have anger in your heart. When hatred is amplified, false public opinion is formed and it becomes a language of exclusion and hate and the bonding of those participating in hate. In other words, 'cheap solidarity' is being formed. These days, this language ​​of hate overflows in our society. 

Many citizens are experiencing great difficulties due to corona virus. Despite the self-sacrifice, dedication, perseverance, and volunteering that we see, we continue to experience fake news and the spread of anger and hatred. 

As a way to confront hatred, it is suggested that the haters must acknowledge what they lack. First, the need to find the cause of hateful feelings. The ability to accurately analyze and observe what it is. Second, the ability to separate one's hate feelings from the ideological premise that causes hate. Thirdly, to separate oneself from the crowd, objectively examine who they are with self-awareness and introspection.

The priest concludes his article by showing how Jesus did not get caught up in the hatred of his opponents, walked his own path without being discouraged by the violent anger of others. In every situation, he observed the reality before him with a spiritual eye.  Jesus, always discerned God's will in prayer and fully entrusted himself to God, and even when obstacles were placed in his way: "Jesus walked through the middle of the crowd and went his way" (Lk 4:30).

Carolin Emcke is a humanist and treats the issue of hatred that she has experienced both with nationalist and religious fanatics. We have a lot to learn from the humanist in their desire for a just society. They believe that human experience and rational thinking provide sufficient knowledge and a moral code that will enable all to live a full life without belief in revelation and 'superstition'—the non-scientific.

 

The desire for a society without hate is a desire of the religious and non-religious alike, hopefully, we can dialog on this issue and become experts on what it means to love.

Now not Tomorrow —Quality Time

It's a phrase he uses every year at this time: Why does time seem to  accelerate as we approach the end of the year? The physical, chronological time, the Chronos proceeds regularly in one direction and only following the laws of nature. Kairos is quality time, a time of feeling, free, meaningless, special, atypical time. So begins the 'Diagnosis of the Time' column in the Catholic Peace Weekly.

We have perceived time through certain regular cycles. The signals from nature are the units of day, month, four seasons, and year produced by the rotation and revolution of the earth and moon, the earth and the sun. In this regular cycle, feasts and calendars are created, and they are divided into hours, minutes, and seconds to create the concept of time to establish and create order and efficiency in our lives.

We know the difference between the time we feel at the beginning of the year and the end of the year, the difference between the time in the morning and the time in the evening, the difference between the motivation at the start of a job and the frustration or a sense of accomplishment at the end. However, a tsunami of greater change and chaos is approaching us.  

Do you remember the classic fairy tale "Momo" by German writer Michael Ende? If you borrow the contents of this work, we have businessmen dressed in gray suits appearing among us, living together with us in the village community, and calculating how inefficiently we live, and teaching us how to use profitably the time wasted by laziness. Humans who now have to squeeze and save time are increasingly chased by time, always busy, feel nervous, anxious, become obsessive, losing the little happiness they had.

In this deteriorating world, only Momo, the young child, who was living alone because there was no family to rely on, but who listened to the stories of everyone in the village and became friends to all, feels that there is a big problem in the world and begins to look for the cause.

Our reality is no different from this fable. In fact, this fable itself is a resemblance of a culture that has disappeared. We don't have too much time to enjoy daily life, relationships, or nature. Many acknowledge this but why doesn't it change? This is because we have pursued only 'efficiency' we are trapped in the concept of Chronos, the physical time measured by a machine called a clock.

We have built a world where achievements are measured and evaluated solely by material productivity. However, our civilization, which we have believed to be strong, is showing signs of collapse in the face of various challenges. Climate change strikes as a counterattack, environmental destruction, and human-initiated ecological disturbances pour out new viruses.

Momo, the protagonist, acts to restore human time, she follows the turtle that leads the way. Somehow, sharp eyes and agile movements, thieves of time with fast feet, and gray-suited humans cannot find the slow-moving turtle and Momo.

It's a paradox. We too must restore the aesthetics of slowness. You should feel the sunshine, the warmth, taste of tea, be happy with the softness of the cat's fur, and enjoy a relaxed conversation.

Finally, the writer wants to share the secret with the readers. In November, you feel depressed that this year is over and decide to start anew from next year, do not plan, do it now. Dates are just imaginary numbers recorded on the calendar— So now, not tomorrow.

The Catharsis that Comes from a Master Novelist

 

Not long ago, an acquaintance, riding together in a bus asked half-jokingly: "Will I be a little nicer after reading Dostoevsky's 'Sin and Punishment'?"  These words are the beginning of Peace Column in the Catholic Peace Weekly by a University professor.

The answer "no" popped out of her mouth, without much thought. It was embarrassing as it seemed to unknowingly reveal her inner world. She laughed but the question remained with her for some time.

If novels taught goodness and wisdom, the world would have been filled with sages and saints. Of course, at times you do learn something, but novels are not a very good medium of enlightenment in terms of time expended. There are many ways in which you can invest less time and get much more practical life advice. Then why on earth do you read a novel?

'Sin and Punishment' is a novel that shows human pride, sin, suffering, and rebirth based on profound Christian spirituality. Raskolnikov is a student with a wounded sense of worth, living in dire poverty on leave from school who kills an old woman the owner of a pawn shop. He hates the unfair world in which he lives and has a distorted sense of justice. Helping the poor with the money of the rich is the theory behind his actions but it really is a desire for power and false judgment of others that motivates the killing.

The punishment for his evil deeds is alienation. A painful, endless sense of loneliness and gloominess suddenly and clearly penetrated his soul. To be freed from the hell of absolute isolation and be reconnected with the world, he realizes he must first confess his sins.  He needs to bow to the whole world and say out loud to everyone: "I killed the woman". Then God will send you life again.

The road to life is both rough and inspiring. He falls down in front of his mother and kissed her feet, and the two held each other tightly and burst into tears. Eventually, the moment of resurrection comes to him, while repenting of his sins in Siberian exile. From sickness and weakness, the morning glow of the already renewed future, and complete resurrection entered his life.

As we read the novel, we are amazed to realize that Raskolnikov's cruel will and violent intelligence are within us. Sometimes his cramped boarding room is read as a metaphor for the guilt that imprisons us. His loneliness and alienation sometimes mirror the boredom of our lives. However, as soon as he finally confirms that he is on the path to rebirth, an amazing catharsis comes. We are thrilled by grace that penetrates into the heart of a sinner. What we experience finishing the book is difficult to describe.

The time we spend alone has increased due to the pandemic. If you're tired of breaking news reporting the number of confirmed cases of the virus and tired of 'entertainment'  in the media, let's start reading some of the classic novels. Reading the classics takes time and effort, but the rewards are enormous. Hermann Hesse once affirmed that Dostoevsky's novel should be read when in a period of suffering.

When we are miserable, when we suffer, when our whole life feels like a burning wound, read his novel, his music, his comfort, and his love come to us. It seems that now when we have to endure the pandemic, is the time when we need the comfort and love that this master novelist can convey.

Korea's Catholic Church Ecological Hope

Korean Catholic Climate Action launched their movement early this year which began with a street march expressing their response to the climate crisis. A report of the event was in the recent Catholic Times Weekly. They are responding to the urgent ecological crisis and hoping to have it spread to the entire church.

Currently, there is a lack of awareness of the ecological crises in the church community. One sister, a member of the Action Team, set the basic purpose of the activities conducted in the parish as the "Carbon Reduction Movement," and suggested some specific measures that can be implemented in the parishes.  

"We must raise awareness of the ecological crisis nationwide through training of priests and district leaders." Sister emphasized that "above all, the change in the consciousness of the priests is important and should lead to practice."
 
 ▲ campaign to install solar panels in church communities. ▲ install electric vehicle charging stations in church area ▲ support operating funds for solar panel installation in poor parishes and mission stations ▲ campaign to reject investment in coal companies and use banks that have withdrawn coal investment ▲Installation of ecological banners in parishes ▲Designation of days when the parish refrain from the use of the automobile ▲periods of banning the use of plastics and vinyl ▲ reduce eating meat ▲ use of biodegradable Eco-friendly packaging materials ▲A petition for carbon reduction legislation such as plastic use tax ▲begin a parish ecological education system ▲Suggestions for activities such as solidarity with local civic groups.
 
One participant said: "The church's consciousness about solar power is far behind society." Even though the priests of the parish want solar power, most believers reject or have resentment because they don't want to damage the sanctity of the church. The installation of solar power facilities in the parish is indeed difficult to pass in parish councils. As it turns out, solar panels have no choice but to proceed not with church buildings, but centering on rooftop of educational centers, believers' homes, and other sites.

However, since it is indispensable to expand the use of renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions, the parishes, religious congregations, and institutions should participate in this issue, and the need to inform and proclaim this at the parish level.

Meanwhile, a new approach to integrating the response to the ecological crisis with "making peace through armament reduction" was proposed.

Another participant said: "The year 2020, which began with the corona pandemic, made us more aware of the connectivity of all beings, and when we recognize that this ecological crisis is transcending national boundaries, climate disaster is directly connected to security issues." Now that both South and North Korea have suffered a lot of damage from the corona and the climate crisis, if the two countries reduce the military costs that consume astronomical sums,  money will me available for many other needed works.This will be necessary for peace on the Korean Peninsula and for the safety of the people of both countries.”

Fortunately, the Korean Catholic Bishops released a special pastoral text, "In front of our crying mother Earth," on October 16, after the regular general meeting of the bishops.

In a special pastoral text, the bishops stated: "Today's climate crisis and the cry of Mother Earth are one of the most important themes of evangelization and pastoral activities that the church should carry out." The direction is presented, and each parish and committee needs to establish a specific plan and put it into action. Also, specific guidelines for practice were prepared and were sent to each diocese and organization. Accordingly, it is expected that the 'Catholic Climate Action' will be able to carry out more active and diverse activities in solidarity with each parish.

Signs of Growth in Spirituality

In a diocesan bulletin, a director of retreats gives the readers his understanding of spiritual growth.

His first quality he expresses as openness— a heart that is open to others. Rather than judging by their own frame of reference or standards, the judgment is made from what is seen. Moreover, even dealing with anguish and difficulties, openness is present, they examine the pain and accept it when necessary; not delighted by what they have to face but able to accept it because of Jesus and as a tool for the arrival of grace.

The second sign of spiritual growth he calls integration. Both the body and the soul, the world, and the church, activity, and contemplation are not separated or simply harmonized. They can see them as a whole. This is allowing them to live holistically and distancing themselves from dualism.

Often among the so-called devout, we have those who think spirituality and holiness are all about the soul, and taking care of the body is taking away from what is important. To be more concerned with the soul than the body is not to be tied to the body, it does not mean we ignore the body. In Genesis, God said everything that was made was good. To see everything that was made as unconditionally vulgar and avoiding what God has made is not living an integrated life. When we forget God for what was created we have problems. God is imminent in all that was made.

The third quality of spiritual growth is the ability to share universal love. There are levels of love. Love for oneself and one's group. This is a selfish love. Another love is for all our brothers and sisters no matter where they are found. Love without borders. The saints have shown us this love. We learn this from the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke's Gospel 10:25-37.

According to the writer, the fourth quality is to be faithful to our daily tasks. Those who are in search of extraordinary experiences are trying to grab clouds and forget their daily life. This is not genuine.
The freedom that comes from a true spirituality is not tied to one person or one situation but one  involved in doing the small everyday tasks with great love, humility, and joy and seeing all with the eyes of Jesus.
What is required for this kind of life? It is to have the mind of Jesus.