Minjung in the Mission House: How Korean Christians in the Democratization Movement Encountered a Theology for the Postcolonial Era

Abstract

Minjung theology, developed by Christians involved in the South Korean Democratization Movement, has often been described as a Korean liberation theology but its connections to and significance for the Missionary Enterprise have rarely been explored. Analyzing the archival data related to its development in a Canadian missionary house, this article explores the historical influences that shaped minjung theology, with a focus on its relationship to the Canadian mission in Korea. The history of this Korean expression of the Christian faith sheds light on its postcolonial character and the enduring significance of minjung theology. Seen through a postcolonial historical lens, this article shows the relevance of minjung theology for the present by evaluating its connection to and influence on the Canadian church with which it was closely associated.