• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
• /
• v.63
• /
• pp.407-433
• /
• 2020

South Korea is currently facing multiculturalism, appropriately demanding broadened view and access to the study of Unification, especially in terms of who should be the subject. In congruence, recent Unification Education studies are proposing values stressed in Multiculturalism to function as the core ground, upon which other traits and contents are to follow. Similarly, Christian Education field is also reflecting the recent trend, welcoming 'everyone' to participate in preparing reunification of Korean Peninsula. However, most studies consist of suggesting and introducing directions for new approaches, not so much of dealing with systems or guidelines for practical practices. Information provided in fragments can rather cause confusion in understanding the concept, and lack of specific guidelines can soon lead to poor performances. In this study, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is introduced as a methodology to be examined, whether it could effectively embody and systemize the newly emerged Multicultural Christian Unification Education. Therefore, the purpose of this study is 1) to generalize the concept of Christian unification education introduced in the multicultural era and 2) examine whether UDL is suitable for uniformizing and spreading the Multicultural approach of Christian Unification Education. Specifically, this study highly focused on examining whether UDL is a suitable methodology to achieve the goal of Multicultural Christian unification education, while uniformizing the diversities within multicultural Christian Unification Education. Through a thorough research, it was proved that the purpose and characteristics of multicultural Christian unification education are similar to those of UDL in that both focus on accepting heterogeneity as something "different" rather than something "wrong." Also, it was found that the application of the theory and guidelines of UDL can effectively unify while respecting the diverse methodologies used in Multicultural Christian Education.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
• /
• v.71
• /
• pp.305-340
• /
• 2022

This study was started to suggest the direction of Christian educational development to revitalize North Korea's 'education' research. Since the two Koreas have experienced heterogeneity in almost all elements of society, such as politics, economy, society, culture, and education, during the period of division in 1977, true unification depends on laying the foundation for social integration that can overcome the sense of heterogeneity between the two Koreas. This is why North Korea's "education" research is needed. Education is the foundation for transferring culture and history, and for bringing about the survival, transformation, and community of society and since it is the mission of Korean churches and Christian educators to establish the direction of North Korean "education" research, North Korean "education" research is very important. Despite this importance, 'North Korean research' in the field of Christian education has not been properly conducted. Research on the "Christian Unification Education Program" that can be used in churches is actively taking place, but research on the macro level of presenting post-unification education blueprints is rare. This study was started to suggest the direction of Christian educational development to revitalize North Korea's 'education' research. For the study, the characteristics of 'North Korea Research' were analyzed according to generational classification. As a result of the study, recent research on North Korea has been expanding in research topics and methodologies, and recent studies have been differentiated into microscopic studies that deviate from existing research trends at a macro level and view North Korea's daily life. The characteristics of 'North Korean education research' are summarized by period. The research on North Korean education, which began in earnest in the 1970s, was divided into the period of start(70s), transition(80s), leap(90s), expansion(2000s), and development(2010s~). and research characteristics for each period were analyzed. Through this, early North Korean education research was also conducted in the policy aspect of the country, and the characteristics of political and social studies were strong, but recent studies have confirmed that the subjects and contents are diversifying. Based on these studies, the pending issues and issues of North Korean education research in the field of Christian education were analyzed. The study of North Korea in the field of Christian education, which began in the 1980s, has been conducted in the engineering aspect of 'development of unification education programs for churches'. However, studies on Christian unification education and North Korean education itself, which can be used in public education sites including Christian schools, have yet to be sufficient. Nevertheless, the diversification of research in the field of Christian education can be evaluated as a positive change. Based on these studies, it was proposed to establish a de-ideological research foundation, secure primary research data(Raw Data), activate research topics and research methodologies, and strengthen research capabilities in the direction of development to revitalize North Korean research in the field of Christian education. I hope this study will trigger various follow-up studies and help Korean churches that must achieve unification.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
• /
• v.66
• /
• pp.147-178
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this study is to clarify the contribution of Christian faith in the process of establishing self-identity and stably settling in the process of North Korean youth settling in Korean society. The research method used narrative. Participants in the study were nine late youth who belonged to the church, aged 17 to 24 years old, who had been in Korea for more than one year. Through this study, themes were derived from four categories. First, a retrospective narrative of the North Korean defection motive was dealt with. Second, it deals with the psychological adaptation process and unsolved tasks. Third, I dealt with the thoughts of the family, the discourse and vision for unification, which they dream of in Korean society as Christian believers. Fourth, it is about the Christian faith, and it is said that the Christian faith gives North Korean refugee youth the power to reflect on their lives, and to see the essence of life through the values of interest in others, history, society, and the kingdom of God. These results are based on the encounters with church and alternative school leaders and various curriculums that North Korean refugee youth experience and talk about. In the sense that it seeks and suggests a new direction in the era of preparation for unification, this article can be said to be of great value for Christian education.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
• /
• v.64
• /
• pp.21-50
• /
• 2020

The main purpose of this study is to present a map for setting a new direction for future North Korean ministry by applying Russell's theory on Christian education as a mission. As is well known, Russell was the first Christian educator who interpreted Christian education from a mission's perspective. According to her, Christian education is not a mere instrument for church to maintain and nurture new believers, but it is part of 'Missio Dei' in a broader sense. In other words, it is a way for everyone to accept Christ's invitation, and join in 'Missio Dei' that restores true humanity through reconciling with God and our neighbors. Based on the understanding of Russell's Christian education theory, the study examined up-to-date North Korean mission's situation, analysis, and limitations in the introduction. In chapter 2, the researcher reviewed approaching methods for understanding North Korea as well as prior studies on North Korean mission and unification within the field of Christian education. In chapter 3, Russell's theory on Christian education for humanization was briefly introduced. In chapter 4, the study attempted to apply Russell's theory in North Korean mission in the following areas: what is the true meaning of restoring humanity for North Koreans (including the refugees) and what are some of the specific ministry ideas; what is a realistic and sustainable humanization ministry; what environment can foster North Koreans to reconcile with both God and their neighbors; what are the ways to explain that such ministry is an invitation from Christ; what should the people involved in the ministry prepare; in what areas can Russell's theory be more effective in North Korean mission compared to other methods in terms of Christian education for humanization. Finally, a conclusion was drawn in chapter 5.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
• /
• v.72
• /
• pp.341-366
• /
• 2022

In Korean society, church once witnessed the period of its being considered light and salt. After the liberation, Korean church bestowed Jesus Christ's love to underprivileged neighbors in the industrialization process and organized practical participation activities for human rights and democratization. Nonetheless, church was sunken into quantitative growth without having qualitative growth. As church was cited as the epicenter of the spreading COVID-19, the image of selfish church has started receiving attention and there has appeared a criticism for immoral church tendency, which brought low trust about church. These things are resulted from church's failure to undertake its role with responsibility, in society. Such as this, church has lost its identity as the model of the Kingdom of God. In such a situation, church needs to remind itself of the enlightenment of the Ecumenical Movement, in order to recover trust and perform its mission. The Ecumenical Movement means accomplishing unification of the universe through a renewed church. This movement is aimed to create the earth as 'where humans can stay' and to consider the sustainability of mankinds. This purpose of this study is to examine political activities conducted for responsible participation in the church world and to find the way for church roles in this world. This researcher will attempt to investigate educational methods to help Christians in this world take full responsibility given to them, through an educational discussion about Christianity made in this context. This educational attempt means, in other words, political affairs also.