[Lim Hyoung-taek] The Logic of Historical Understanding of Korean Culture (6)
In Relation to the Tradition of East Asia and the Modern World
Lim Hyoung-taek
Professor of Korean Chinese Classics, sungkyunkwan University
6. In Place of a Conclusion
above, a few of my thoughts on East Asia and its cultural tradition at their present juncture. Also, a brief outlook on the next century from our state of crisis would be meaningful as well.
1) Recovering the Tradition of East Asia
The historical civilization of East Asia was entirely flattened and crushed in the process of integration into the Western-dominated modern world. It is safe to say, also, that a new representation of Asia has yet to be established.
The European region, with its Christian civilization that took root in the western part of Eurasia, also never saw an end to internal conflict and antipathy. In a single century, the conflicts brought about two disastrous world wars, turning the whole continent into a battlefield. In addition the two protagonists in the Cold War between the East and West have changed. Despite this, European nations formed a union as soon as the Cold War drew to an end, and they are moving rapidly toward a single Europe. What about East Asia? With the dismantling of the dichotomous structure of Cold War, the nations of East Asia have appeased hostile relations, and trade has also been proceeding quite vigorously. However, a community similar to that of Europe still seems to be remote. We should be aware that the divided Korean peninsula, a major player in the Cold War, has remained an obstacle in furthering reconciliation and unity. What is more, the recent economic breakdown in East Asian countries seems to be feeding disillusionment towards Asia.
Is international amity and regional alliance that vital to East Asia? What is the point of rediscovering our lost East Asian tradition? Redundant though these questions may sound, it is hard not to be rather sceptical in looking back on our history. Have we not taken for granted our estranged relationship with China? As for Japan, towards which has failed to relieve our resentment over colonialization, we maintain a double-faced relationship: close in reality, hostile in thought. Korean culture, since emancipation, has taken a sharp curve toward the West as a result. Ironically we witness ultranationalism prevailing at the same time.
Being geographically close to these countries is no insignificant coincidence. We have not been able to avoid establishing co-relations and influencing each other in the past, as we will in the future. Bringing about peace and coexistence by associating and trading with other nations is the ultimate goal of humankind; neighboring countries, more than others, should work together to fulfill this long-sought goal.
Reclaiming the finest of East Asia's tradition will be conducive to accomplishing this great enterprise. Confucian capitalism caught the attention of many when it was first advocated, and "Asian values" were also viewed favorably for a while. Then, with the economic debacle, these "Asian values" became almost unvalued. Though Confucian capitalism has proved to be a mere illusion, its pseudo-logic has yet to receive its due analysis and criticism. All this seems to be imply that the East Asian tradition has yet to regain its resourceful and more profound content.
2) Cultural Products and Cultural Movement
This article originated from a sense of crisis, due to the current situation of our culture and civilization. It has dealt with problems presented at two different levels: a national level and a global level. From a national perspective, I have mentioned the formidable disintegrating power of capitalism and our inclination toward Western culture, which has almost led us to the loss of our self-identity. Such a crisis is nothing new; we have already undergone a similarly desperate experience during colonialization, which we managed to overcome. Now, with the recent calls for "globalization" and the "cold wave" that was the economic crisis, our national culture is losing its foothold; the very existence of the Korean nation is being destabilized. On a global scale, the social structure that accelerates unchecked expansion, develoopmnet, and overconsumption has resulted in the destruction of the ecosystem and the exhaustion of natural resources. Even worse, the sound judgment of men has become corrupt, if not paralyzed, by materialism. As this global disaster generates from the evolutionary process of capitalism, we can justly define it as a cultural crisis. The problems of the two different levels ultimately have the same origin, so their solutions should be pursued together. It is no doubt deplorable that the liabilities of this century should be passed down to our descendents with no feasible solution.
"Culture" is expected to be at the forefront of all things in the 21st century. In addition, it is said the coming century will be an information-oriented era. Which kind of culture will dominate? The breathtaking development of the information technology, and commercial cultural products befitting the development ― it is widely held that these represent what we will see in the future. Will men be satisfied and adjust themselves to be pleasure-seekers and consumers of the new cultural products? Considering all the countermeasures against the current economic meltdown, it seems as if people cannot afford any reflective thinking other than over financial problems. Even if we do somehow walk out of this economic crisis, the cultural crisis may take a turn for the worse, to the point of no return. A cultural movement may be our last hope in righting the situation.
Any new cultural movement shoulders the extremely difficult task of playing a rebellious and the creative role in fighting the "anti-cultural violence" of today's culture, and of producing successful cultural products at the same time.