The word ‘Minjok’ is translated into various English words: ‘nation’, ‘ethnic’, ‘bloodline’,etc. However, none of this is appropriate translation. It derives from Japanese word ‘minzoku’ at first, but developed as an own concept of Korean. It’s hard to define ‘Minjok’ clearly and simply. However, if people who share common cultural elements and historical memory feel unity with each other, these people are usually called Minjok. (Definitionfrom naver) Koreans pay much attention to ‘pure bloodline’. Many textbooks state that Korean preserve the purity of the nation’s bloodlines for 5000 years. (Kyǒnghyang sinmun, 15 September 1996) They feel bonding more with oversea Korean bloods rather than mixed-blood legal Korean.
Although, many Koreans believe the concept ‘Minjok’exists from very old, it actually appears in early 20th century. At that period, Chosun dynasty had a great difficulty against imperialist countries and western cultures. Japan was also highly influential country at the time, which finally merged Chosun in 1910. Many Japanese scholars and some Korean scholars insisted ‘Pan-Asianism’,claim that since a number of Asian ethnics had similar characteristics, they should collaborate not to be colonized by west and construct Asia for Asian. Japan even had a plan called ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’. Korean nationalist scholars strongly criticized ‘Pan-Asianism’ along with it. Although they both agreed that threat from western countries was intimidating, Korean nationalist scholars also perceived the threat from other countries in Asia. Many prominent scholars such as Yi Kwang-Su and Shin Chae-Ho emphasized the difference between Korean and Japanese, and tried hard to establish Koreans’own identity.
The word ‘minjok’appeared in this period by Korean nationalism scholars. They tried to lead the solidarity of all Korean, and implant the importance of Minjok and independence. There were many arguments around the concept of Minjok, which eventually focus on bloodline. Also, the Korean nationalist scholars argued with other scholars who claimed the broader collaboration such as communist. Minjok concept became acknowledged in the competition with other ideologies.(Ethnic Nationalism in Korea, Shin, 2006)
The Minjok concept became firmer after independence. The first president Lee Seung Man formally suggested sole-nationalism. This idea also supports anti-communism. The first Minister of education Ahn Ho Sang also adopted ‘Hong ik in gan’, the key idea of Dangun, as one of major educational philosophies of Korean education. President Park Jung hee also paid emphasis on Minjok ideology during his modernizing project. He made plans to raise Korea’s economy, called ‘fatherland modernization’. He used Minjok ideology to justify this plans and dictatorship. He mixed Minjok ideology and anti-communism effectively and succeed justifying his dictatorship. As a result, the Minjok concept became stronger in Korean’s mind as time passes by.
Minjok concept has played several main roles in 20th century history. As written above, the concept has tremendously contributed the modernization of Korea by leading people to work with responsibility and by justifying Park Jung hee administration. It was also used during Japanese-colonization-period to strength Korean’s unity, fight against Japan, and get independence.
Moreover, it has been used for unification ideology. Both North Korea and South Korea shares similar Minjok identity. They both believe Korean’s bloodline is purely preserved for about 5000 years, and assume that all Koreans are descendent of Dangun. However, they both do not appreciate the other’s legitimacy. South Korea spreads anti-communism, while North Korea spreads anti-colonialism, criticizing the South as a puppet of United States. They both think division of Korea is awkward and unnatural, believing Korea should reunify again. In spite of their difference in ideology, still several scholars and many people believe the potential power of the same bloodline in future unification.
Minjok ideology helps Koreans recover their self-respect. The 20th century of Korea, started with continuation of tragedy, Korea became Japan’s colony for 36 years, and after independence, war and dictatorship followed. While these confusing period, Minjok ideology succeeded to bond Korean. Korean believed that their destiny are highly depends on Korea. They were required to sacrifice for their Minjok, and worked for them. As a result, they felt strong bond and self-respect about their country and history. After modernization, many Koreans learned ‘the miracle of Han river’, marvelous development of Korean economy as well. These factors allowed Koreans to be proud of their country despite their tragic recent history.
However, despite all these good results Minjok concept brought, it caused the poor development of modern ideologies. In the beginning of the Korea, the liberalism was often misunderstood as the opposite of Minjok ideology. Minjok ideology requires people to work for Minjok, rather than themselves. People who claimed other ideology were frequently suspected to deny Minjok. As a result, liberalism and conservatism have developed without enough constructive discussion. The poor basis of these ideologies turned out to be highly problematic in Korean politic and society. In fact, Minjok ideology hindered the other ideologies’ advancement more thoroughly in North Korea. The communism of North Korea wasn’t developed like other Soviet countries. The Minjok ideology and communism were mixed and gave birth to nationalistic communism. A lot of people who criticize nationalistic communism were purged, so this ideology was adopted without proper criticism.
Korea has been rapidly modernized for 50 years and globalized in recent years. However, this fact doesn’t get rid of Minjok ideology in people’s mind. The 2002 world cup proves this most directly. Numerous people wearing red cloth (it represents the Korean soccer team) came out to roads to watch soccer game and cheer. They cheered enthusiastically and when Korean team won, they shared joys together. There were few violence and disturbance. People cleaned the road by themselves after soccer game, and they tried not to make disordered atmosphere. According to survey, almost 90% of people felt unity, and 80% of people were proud of Korea.(현대 한국 민족주의의 전개 양상, 김수자)
2002 World cup was appreciated to show the new aspect of Korean Minjok ideology. It proves Korean can collaborate if a common goal was given. Also, it made the ideology more flexible to abroad. The exclusiveness became dimmer, and people treat foreigners with open minded. The open Minjok ideology can lead mature citizenship.
Minjok ideology has played many different roles in history. In 21st century Korea will become more globalized and multi-cultured. The exclusive Minjok ideology, which only seeks for pure bloodline, can bring discrimination and violence. In contrast, the open Minjok ideology can have potential power to accept all the difference of multi-cultured family. Korean often does not separate the concept of Minjok from country ‘Korea’. They would accept other race people and other cultured people living in Korea without big problems. The mass media and campaign should change people to open their mind wider. Toleration toward other cultures will be significant for unification, too. People living in North and South Korea formed a bit different culture. If people cannot tolerate each other’s difference, it would be hard to unify in practical. People would feel strange at first to the fact that people from western country and Southeast Asia would be Korean as well. People will get accustomed to this as time passes by, and they will be natural to hang around with them.
