Journey Seven: What the Idea of "Minjok" Imposes on Contemporary Korea

What the Idea of “Minjok” Imposes on Contemporary Korea

I.        Introduction

II.      Conceptual Definition of Minjok,

                        i.  In Past Terms

                      ii.   In Modern Terms

III.   The Appearance of Minjok in History,

                        i. Korea

                      ii.  The World

IV.    The Idea of Minjok in Korea,

I. Introduction

             Korea is thought to be a pure country using the concept “Minjok.” This one term describes our ethnicity, culture, the way we think, behave and even gives us a sense of unity. It is abstruse to truly grasp the meaning of this word as it is so vague in many levels. For example, looking at the translations done by various dictionaries and historical documents, the concept “Minjok” is translated to the term “Nation.” But this change seems to be inaccurate as the feelings that these words impose are vastly different. In the 1870s it was the Japanese who first adopted the term “Nation” in European countries and converted it into “Minjok.” China followed this idea in 1903 and redefined Minjok contrasting it with the term Gookmin. In 1906, due to the effects of China; Korea finally imported the word, “Minjok.”

             Minjok was a concept that has been readily used by Japan (In the colonial era) and Korea’s past governments for the purpose of indoctrination. Furthermore, this concept had succeeded in uniting the people of Korea to feel and think as one. As history suggests, “Minjok” is not a concept that can be described as one word like “Nation.” It rather evokes a much broader sense of unity among people and the thoughts we have.

             But in modern times, this known concept is now being evaporated to the midst as the usual boundaries that defined Minjok is now ambiguous. Boundaries such as blood, nationality, and ethnicity have no affect whatsoever in the current global society. Globalization has altered the concept of Minjok.

II.  Conceptual Definition of Minjok

             Before globalization, boundaries existed to divide the nations of Korea, Japan, and China. It was blood and culture that divided the Minjok of these people. However culture was a vague standard to decide one's Minjok as migrations did exist at that time. But one standard, blood was never broken. The phenomenon Koreans only marrying Koreans, calling themselves ‘Danil Minjok’ (One Minjok) was the reason blood was acceptable for a standard. Even the language was used to determine the Minjok of the person. Only a few people learned how to speak other languages including diplomats. But now culture, blood and language are not a standard in determining one’s Minjok. The definition of Minjok is no longer the same and has changed.

 i.  In the Past Terms,

             As explained before, the concept of Minjok and its meanings were derived from European nations by the Japanese. Among terms that define human groups that possess a political nature, Minjok was the last term that came out. Unlike Kookmin or Injong, Minjok does not have a clear definition explained in a dictionary. In 1887, Japan’s Maige nationalists had spread the concept of Minjok throughout Japan, comparing “The German Minjok” with “The Great Yamato Minjok.”

But even the Maiges weren’t sure of the exact concept of Minjok. First, it was irrational to interpret “Nation” as “Minjok.” Looking at words such as nationality, nationalism, and national politics it is clear that the term “Nation” is a more close term with “Country” rather than “Minjok.” So the definition of Minjok was vague even then. But after the book 『National Imperialism』was written, “Minjok” was used to unite the people of Japan giving them reasons such as blood, culture, and ethnicity to believe. Later on they used this concept to indoctrinate Korea.

ii.  In Modern Times,

             Minjok has now become a concept of ambiguousness. Various nations are connected as one by developments in technology, communication, and even ideas. The reason why Minjok raises so many questions is because of the standards deciding which Minjok people are in. There are no standards in determining the Minjok of a person. Nationality, culture, blood, languages and other aspects that divided the people before are all mixed together into a huge ball. People can gain access to so many cultures and our thoughts and behaviors change so fast. The questions in identity even occur from here.

Am I Korean or American? This simple question may become the question that people would carry on for their entire lives. For example, there is a man who was born in Korea and was raised in America. Later on as he grew up the man believes that he is American but his nationality saids otherwise and makes him Korean. This phenomenon can be explained as the conflict between I and the society. The Minjok that each of us think and the Minjok that the society thinks are two different things. These conflicts occur because of the incomplete standards of dividing one's Minjok. Thus a question rises in our minds. Does Minjok really exist?

III. The Appearance of Minjok in History

 i.  Korea

             Even though the term “Minjok” was actually forged in the 20^th century, the ideas that Koreans were different from Chinese were still there. The names “Jokllyu” and “Dongpo” were used to acknowledge the differences between Koreans, Chinese, and the Japanese. Translating “Jokllyu” into English it would mean “ethos” (ethnic group). Through historical documents and books such as “The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty” we can infer that this term was specifically used to differentiate the foreigners from the Korean people. As the term exists we can assume that the sense of unity was already present between the people of Korea forming a unique identity.

The Annals of Joseon Dynasty

The word “Dongpo” was spread after the 1890s. The difference between these two words is a sense of equality. Jokllyu lacks the concept of equality in it where Dongpo explains the equality of all people who has the same Minjok. Minjok was a concept that existed in our ancestors from a very very long time.

             In the colonial era the term “Minjok” was misused by the Japanese. By indoctrinating the idea that Japan and Korea are one, the Japanese tried to creep inside the minds of young Koreans to make them into mindless machines worshiping Japan. But this act backfired as it actually created the Koreans to unite and become one to overpower the Japanese. An article from Dong-A-Ilbo explained this phenomenon.

             “Minjok is a cultural and historical existence, but furthermore it relates to politics and economy, making this concept the ultimate basis of forming a new country. As instinct we try to be one, we try to form a group driven by the unknown feeling that unites our ideas.”   -Dong-A-Ilbo-

One of the most noticed intellectuals who developed this idea was Shin Chae-Ho. During and after the colonization of Japan, Shin believed that "As Minjok, By Minjok, and For Minjok" was the goal that people should drive for when making a country. He believed that without understanding the true meaning of being the Minjok of Korea, it was impossible to achieve independence. And as we were united as one by Minjok, independence was not impossible. The loud shouts that were echoed during the 3-1 movement demonstrate the power of Minjok. The simple idea that we are one, has given the people hope and the will to live on. The powers in ideology have united the population in a specific culture or perhaps ethnicity.

            

President Park Jung Hee

History shows that Minjok is a powerful word. A word that can unite the people of Korea and make wonders breaking the limits of mankind. When President Park Jung Hee dictated over Korea, Minjok was used to sacrifice the people of Korea for industrial developments. The Park Chung-Hee government consistently referred to Minjok as it carried an ideal of Korean nationalistic movements of the late nineteenth century under the Japanese colonial rule. Economic development and national security was the main objectives of President Park. In order to effectively implant the ideology, the government spread the story of Danggun as proof of being one Minjok. Of course, during these developments some resisted and “gentle persuasions” were made to change their ideologies. The power of myths and founding legends convinced the people of Korea making it the 10^theconomically strong country in the world. But the phenomenon begs a question. Are the means taken by Park Jung Hee justified? Looking at the results, the measures taken by him were so successful and the use of Minjok made it difficult for people to question the fundamental legitimacy of the government’s plans.

ii. The World

             One of the similar terms that relates to Minjok can be said as Romantic Nationalism. This philosophical movement of Romanticism occurred in Europe at the end of the 18^thcentury meeting with Nationalism. This movement elevated folk art, traditions, and ancient customs of people to something noble. France and Germany are the main countries that Japan adopted in creating the term Minjok. After the French Revolution in 1789, Napoleon promoted nationalism and the cultural unity of the French based on “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.” However the spread of French nationalism were too broad as it tried to impose its meanings to other foreign countries across Europe.

             The Nazis have also grasped the sense of nationalism and used it to unite the people of Germany. January 1933, National socialism assumed the power in Germany. It was never achieved by a revolution, but “legally” through the support of the conservative parties who adopted the idea of nationalism. This simple idea of uniting the people as one have made the Nazis possible to conquer half of Europe and have ultimate ruling through loyalty.

IV.  The Idea of Minjok in Korea

             The final question through all the research and knowledge is this. Can Korea use the concept of Minjok again and will it serve the needs of Korea in the future? To be short, the answer cannot be said. The concept and the idea of Minjok have changed throughout the ages. In the past, Minjok was easy to define, Minjok had the power to unite the people and make Koreans wish for a nationalistic cause. But now due to globalization, the ideology is vague. People are not even sure that they possess a part in Korean Minjok anymore. The term Minjok meant blood, language, and culture. But now these three main boundaries are broken and mixed throughout the globe. As the world changes the definition of Minjok must change. But without choosing or selecting the true idea of Minjok it would be impossible for Korea to actually use Minjok itself to develop.

             But even though Minjok does not truly exist in the living world, it has been residing in Korea’s heart for a very long time. For example, the Red Devils in 2002 demonstrates how Korea can be united as one.

The important thing here is that Minjok could have just purely been a modern phenomenon. But this sense of ethnic gathering has been used throughout history and is still being utilized politically and historically. This is what’s unique about Minjok in Korea. Minjok could just be a normal aspect among people, but what history tells us is different. Minjok is being reproduced constantly generation to generation having a sense of a permanent life form. This fact mixed with the Korean society would form the concept Ethnic Nationalism.

             However this concept of ethnic nationalism and Minjok must never be interpreted as racism. Minjok does not separate or segregate other races to ours. In the past, this concept was used to differentiate the foreigners as explained previously. But currently as globalization occurred the concept of Minjok is too vague to be defined. Blood, ethnicity or culture are being a common property in the world. Every nation, every person in a society could interact with another culture, with another Minjok. Thus, eradicating the sense of segregation or discrimination.

             The concept itself would never affect Korea as its meanings were gone due to globalization. But the significance of this word is the aura that it imposes. We may never know how Minjok would actually affect our nation as its meaning changes constantly. Korea may only suggest which direction it could lead them.

References

•      Dongkook Kang, 『The Conceptual History of Political Identity in Modern Korea: Gukmin, Injong, Minjok』 (2006)

•      Chanseung Park, 『The Formation Process of ‘Minjok’ Concept in Korea』(2008)

•      Insuk Joo, Byuongchul Park, 『Understanding of Shin Chae Ho’s “Minjok(nation)” and “Minjung(people)”』(2011)

•      Taehoon Lee, 『Does “Minjok” mean ethnie?』(2012)

•      Jinwoong Kang, 『The Epic of the Republic of Korea’s Minjok: The Development of Ethnic Nationalism and Its Faces』(2013)

•      Hans Kohn, 『Nationalism in Nazi Germany』

•      JuHee Han, 『Finding the better direction of Korean Nationalism through a critical review of the Chinese nationalism』 (2012)

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