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INTRODUCTION

The Human Resources Development (HRD) Program is an ongoing concern in "leadership development and movement building" of the World Student Christian Federation of the Asia/Pacific Region. Over the years, these programmes were instrumental in creation of a large section of good quality leadership in the ecumenical community as well as academic world. In keeping with its objectives the Human Resources Development Program, HRD '83 was held at Tao Fong Shan Ecumenical Centre, Hong Kong, in which 30 participants from all over Asia/Pacific took part.

The theme of the Leadership Formation was "Asian Quest: Living Faiths in Ideological Plurality" Dr. David Kwang-sun Suh a well known Korean scholar and Theologian was invited to be the keynote speaker. Dr. David K. Suh's inspiring and scholarly lecture which was channelled in three different reflections, focusing on Theology, Ideology and Culture was greatly appreciated by the participants who were present at the HRD'83, especially the interpretations offered by Professor David K. Suh – who carries with him rich experiences of his own commitment to the people and their struggles and which are deeply rooted to his Christian love and understanding of the Gospel.

We are therefore, indeed, privileged to publish this book of Dr. David K. Suh. It provides an opportunity to share his unique thoughts on a subject that is inspiring to all those committed to the minjung (people) cause. His thoughts are unique, creative and progressive and are related to the aspirations of the people, particularly in the areas of Theology, Ideology and Culture. The following is a brief summary of

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the 3 reflections of Dr. David K. Suh.

Faith, Praxis and Theology, is about his social biography – citations of his experience with the Martial Law Administration. The confrontation with the Martial Law Administration for his involvement with the political life of his country. The Korean politics in the 1970's and the Students struggle for the Korean Minjung. He has historically, traced their struggle against Japanese imperialism, against the Syngman Rhee regime, to the present day protest against military dictatorship. He however feels that the Korea Student Christian Federation's (KSCF) highlight Programme of Social Development Service Corps (SDSC), had far reaching effects as it conscientized the students about slums, factories and the problems being faced by the minjung. This interaction lead to mobilisation of the minjung to determine their own destinies as subjects of history. The first reflection is the story of the faith of the people in themselves and of their praxis in fighting for a just society which gives rise to the theology, popularly known as "Minjung Theology". Shamanism, is the second reflection. This is about the religious custom and culture of the Korean minjung and has an ancient history. Shamanism has no hierarchy, no church, no building but is practised inside the courtyard of ordinary houses. It is a ritual and is performed by a female shaman who dances in a trance, to the beats of a drummer girl, to mediate between gods and people. This religion is about the powerlessness of the people. Though, it was rejected by the missionaries it still remains in the subconscious mind of the minjung. For a minjung to become a Christian is to believe in the power of the "Holy Spirit" which is more powerful than the shaman spirit. Dr. Suh speaks about the parallel between the Korean Christian and the Shaman worshipper.

Jesus, Minjung and Ideology is the third reflection, it is about the study of Jesus and his politics of the Messianic Kingdom and his identification with the ochlos, who were the minjung of his time. He speaks about the mask dance

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which is the popular expression of the Korean minjung held in the market place. This dance depicts people's accusation against the mighty and the powerful, the fun made at the foolishness of the wise and the aristocrats and at the same time, having a laugh at their mistakes. The message of the dance brings out the Korean peoples ability to face the prevailing situation and visualize the creation of a new and social order. His criticism of ideology is based on the subservient role it assigns to the people. He therefore calls for a non-ideological interpretation of the Gospel. He sums up by saying that we have to loosen our serious ideological faces to relax and laugh at them and laugh at us. These chapters are a part of a manuscript on Minjung Theology being prepared for publication by the Obis Press in the near future. We are happy to publish book No. 9 of the Asia/Pacific Region of the WSCF, which can be used as an ideological study of the three reflections on minjung in your own context.

Ahn Jaewoong

Hong Kong

October, 1983