The Council for World Mission (CWM), in partnership with University of South Africa and Yonsei University Institute of African Studies, organized an international conference on Black Theology of Liberation and Minjung Theology.
Held at Yonsei University from 6-9 August, the conference brought together theologians, academicians, students, and activists from South Africa, South Korea, USA, India, Pacific, and Latin America under the theme “Re-Envisioning Black Theology of Liberation and Minjung Theology: A Transformative Dialogue.”
Welcoming the participants, CWM General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum said, “The conference invites us to reflect, challenge, and renew our collective commitment to justice and liberation by re-envisioning the Black Theology of Liberation and Minjung Theology.” Remembering the contributions of Rev. Dr Kim Yong-Bock and Prof. Vuyani Vellem, participants highlighted how they continue to inspire and guide conversations today.
In addition to 14 papers and four Bible studies, the conference featured four keynote presentations by Rev. Dr Jung Mo Sung, Rev. Dr Mitri Rehab, Prof. Fundiswa Kobo, and Prof. Soonyang Choi. Presentations, keynotes, and Bible studies underscored the significance of amplifying marginalised voices and narratives of historically silenced groups, resisting oppressions and occupation, and creating a theological discourse that is inclusive, liberative, and transformative.
Throughout the four days the conference actively called for:
- A shift from visibility to true recognition that includes collective efforts for radical empathy, and emphasises the need for continual adaptation and inclusivity.
- Looking into the urgent need for theological reflection and action in response to the crisis in Gaza.
- An acknowledgement of injustices and inequalities, coupled with a need to critique patriarchy and capitalism while responding to the climate emergency.
- A reflection on womanist dialogue that decolonizes praxis, confronts patriarchal violence, and nurtures a transformative dialogue.
- A reevaluation of traditional metaphors and theological approaches that lead to social exclusion.
As part of the conference, the participants visited several sites of resistance and engaged with people struggling for justice and liberation. The exposure visits provided deeper understanding of particular struggles of people in Korea for anti-colonialism, democracy, labour reform, LGBTQI+ rights, and human rights of internally displaced people. Conference participants also visited monuments of disasters such as the Sewol ferry incident during which more than 300 people died in 2014, and the Itaewon stampede which killed 159 people in 2022.
The exposure visits and the conversations with socially, politically, and religiously excluded communities fostered deep conversations around many issues faced by Korea.
Meanwhile, participants also collectively addressed the pressing issues of liberation and oppression, emphasising a call to action, a clear vision for the future, and a commitment to continued dialogue.
The conference closed with two key touch points: the importance of developing new theological resources, intellectual academic exercises, and ecumenical engagement; and the affirmation of the importance of taking the Black Theology of Liberation, Minjung Theology, and other theologies of liberation beyond the church to the grassroots.
