Witch hounding, also known as witch hunting, refers to the practice of accusing and persecuting individuals, predominantly women, of practicing witchcraft. While witch hounding is commonly associated with the European witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries, it is important to note that this phenomenon was not limited to Europe alone. In Korea, witch hounding took place during a period known as the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897). During the Joseon Dynasty, Korean society was deeply rooted in Confucianism, which emphasized hierarchical structures and strict adherence to societal norms. Women were expected to conform to the ideals of Confucianism, fulfilling their duties as wives and mothers. However, any deviation from these expectations was seen as a threat to the social order and could result in accusations of witchcraft.
Revised and massaged several times over the years, they are still imprinted with the core genes of their intent: a political version of the Malleus Maleficarum (a medieval guide for witch hunting) to destroy “subversive” thought and movements in the South and to squelch political opposition.
For example, under the South Korean National Security Law, for the act of praising or sympathizing with North Korea in the legislation, the North is always referred to as anti-state group s South Korean individuals can be imprisoned for up to seven years. Up to 10 years in prison for those who confer, correspond, or communicate using other means with anti-state groups, members or those under their control, being aware that their acts will endanger the national security and the democratic freedom.
However, any deviation from these expectations was seen as a threat to the social order and could result in accusations of witchcraft. Witch hounding in Korea was characterized by the belief that witches possessed supernatural powers and could harm others. These accusations often arose from personal vendettas, jealousy, or rumors.
How a Class Debate on Comfort Women Turned into a Big South Korean Witch Hunt
Professor Lew Seok-choon is facing charges of defaming former comfort women during a classroom debate, but the prosecution has failed to provide evidence.
Dr Lew Seok-choon (© Lew Seok-choon)In September 2019, Dr Lew Seok-choon was giving his last developmental sociology lecture at his alma mater, Yonsei University. As often, Lew engaged in heated discussions with his students on Japanese imperialism and the roots of South Korea's modernization. While answering questions, Lew made several remarks on comfort women that contradicted conventional wisdom and irked many of his students.
Without consent, one of his students recorded the entire lecture and leaked the tape to major left-wing media outlets in South Korea. These outlets immediately headlined this story and began unilaterally denouncing Lew as a historical denialist and a colonial apologist. The unwarranted attacks continued for months.
About a year after the incident, South Korean prosecutors decided to indict Lew for criminal defamation. Prosecutors argued that parts of his three-hour lecture contained false accusations that constituted a severe criminal liability.
Specifically, they alleged that Dr Lew:
1) Defamed former comfort women by claiming they were a "type of prostitution" and denying their forced abduction.
2) Defamed the Korean Council (comfort women advocacy group in South Korea) by claiming they coached former comfort women to provide imprecise testimonies.
3) Defamed the Korean Council for claiming that senior members of the organization are associated with the Unified Progressive Party, a banned pro-North Korean political entity.
Lew Seok-choon being attacked by left-wing activists who stormed into his office. The primary perpetrator was later indicted and found guilty. (© JTBC News, screenshot)
Once accused, individuals would be subjected to intense interrogations and torture in order to extract confessions. The punishment for being found guilty of witchcraft varied, but often involved public humiliation, banishment, or even execution. The accused would be forced to wear a sign announcing their crime and endure public shaming. The severity of the punishment was often determined by the social status of the accused; nobles and high-ranking officials accused of witchcraft were more likely to be given lenient punishments compared to commoners. Witch hounding in Korea was not limited to targeting individuals who were believed to possess supernatural abilities. It also extended to individuals who deviated from societal expectations, such as widows, women who remained unmarried, or those who did not conform to traditional gender roles. These individuals were seen as a threat to the stability of society and were often accused of practicing witchcraft as a means of maintaining control and enforcing societal norms. In recent years, there has been increasing recognition and condemnation of the history of witch hounding in Korea. Efforts have been made to raise awareness and educate the public about the injustices and human rights violations that occurred during this time. By understanding and acknowledging this dark chapter in history, steps can be taken to ensure that such persecution does not occur in the future..
Reviews for "Religious Conflict and Witch Hunts in Contemporary Korean Society"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Witch Hounding in Korea" as I'm a fan of historical fiction, but I was left disappointed. The story was slow-paced and lacked suspense, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. Additionally, I found the characters to be one-dimensional and the dialogue to be unrealistic. Overall, I felt that the book fell flat and failed to deliver on its promising premise.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Witch Hounding in Korea" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was confusing and disjointed, making it hard to follow the plot. The author introduced numerous unnecessary subplots that never tied together, leaving me feeling confused and frustrated. Moreover, the book lacked depth and failed to explore the historical setting in a meaningful way. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted historical fiction novel.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch Hounding in Korea," but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The pacing of the story was slow, and I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the book. The characters felt underdeveloped, and their actions often felt random and arbitrary. The lack of a clear resolution and the unresolved plotlines left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I felt disappointed by this novel and wouldn't recommend it to others.