Some Tasks of Minjung Theology in the Age of Globalization

Abstract

In the article I ask whether the basic concerns of minjung theology that were articulated within the political boundary of a national state are still significant in the age of globalization. If we can answer this question positively, then we have to ask how to elaborate and materialize those concerns in post-national constellations. With such a question in mind, first, I explain three current trends of minjung theology, those are, 1) critical and creative succession to the achievements of the first-generation minjung theologians, 2) post-modern reconstruction of minjung theology, and 3) theological-missiological discourse on the reality of minjung and their liberation praxis. Second, I characterize the process of globalization as spread of capitalism with insane plunder and oppression and suggest that minjung theology in search for an alternative world should again integrate Marx’s critique of political economy into theological reflection. Third, I highlight the subject status of minjung as one of the most significant themes of minjung theology. I distinguish three paradigms for the subject status of minjung from one another, namely, socio-biographical paradigm, class struggle paradigm, and network movement paradigm. In the age of globalization I accept that social movements must shape networks, but accentuate that it is empty to separate the issues of gender, race, and generation from class issue, while it is blind to reduce such cultural issues to the issue of class. Fourth, I deal with how to conceptualize the question of nation (in Korean ‘minjok’) in the age of globalization. I pay attention to the danger of considering nation as substance and suggest that minjung theology should make an open approach to the question of nation. Only with such a premise minjung theology can contribute to shaping a peace nation on the way to national reunification. Fifth and finally I suggest key agendas that minjung theology should engage in the age of globalization: economic democracy, welfare, global citizenship and property order reform..