In Korea, the belief in witches and supernatural beings has long been a part of the culture and folklore. However, there is also a tradition of witch elimination that has been practiced for centuries. This practice, known as "mudang gut," involves a shamanistic ritual that aims to expel witches and evil spirits from the community. The main idea of witch elimination in Korea is to rid the community of witches and evil spirits through shamanistic rituals. The practice of mudang gut involves a shaman, known as a mudang, who acts as a mediator between the spiritual and physical worlds. The mudang performs various rituals, including chanting, dancing, and offering sacrifices, in order to communicate with the spirits and seek their help in eliminating witches.
The mudang performs various rituals, including chanting, dancing, and offering sacrifices, in order to communicate with the spirits and seek their help in eliminating witches. The belief in witches in Korea is deeply rooted in the idea that they bring misfortune and harm to the community. Witches are believed to possess supernatural powers and use them to cause illness, accidents, and other forms of calamity.
Witch eliminator in Korea
The Republic of Korea (ROK), established in 1948, was recognized by the United Nations through the General Assembly Resolution 195. The United Nations played a key role in the birth of the Republic of Korea through missions such as monitoring the first general election and other reconstruction programs. When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, the UN intervened by sending armed forces mandated by the Security Council Resolution 82. It was the first undertaking of its kind in the history of the UN. Almost 70 years after the Korean armistice, the UN Command still maintains its presence on the Korean Peninsula. Since the armistice of 1953, the Korean issue had been one of the most controversial subjects of debate between the West and the pro-Soviet blocks at the UN. The Republic of Korea's applications to become a member of the UN were blocked. It was only in 1991 that both the ROK and the DPRK were simultaneously admitted to the UN as the influence of the Cold War on international politics receded. Since its admission to the UN, the Republic of Korea has made significant contributions to the UN through peacekeeping operations, development assistance and the promotion of human rights. At the Millennium Summit, held in New York in September 2000, the Co-Chairpersons of the Summit adopted a special statement welcoming the inter-Korean summit and encouraging its follow-up measures. In 2000 and 2007, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on "Peace, Security and Unification on the Korean Peninsula," welcoming and supporting the inter-Korean summits. In 2018, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea jointly circulated the Panmunjom Declaration, signed at the inter-Korean summit held in April 2018, as a document of the General Assembly and the Security Council. The Republic of Korea remains firm in its goal of establishing permanent peace on the peninsula and contributing to the stability and prosperity of the region and beyond.
International Peace and Security
The non-permanent membership of the Republic of Korea to the Security Council in 1996-1997 has renewed the Korean government's motivation to take on a more proactive role in promoting international peace and security. During its membership, the Republic of Korea focused on enhancing the Council's transparency, providing humanitarian assistance to refugees, and expanding the Council's capacity for resolving regional conflicts. As the President of the Council for May 1997, the Republic of Korea initiated an open debate on the provision of humanitarian assistance to refugees and others in conflict situations, adopted four resolutions (1107-1110), and issued eight presidential statements (S/PRST/1997/25-32). The Republic of Korea served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2013-2014 term, and played a constructive role as a responsible member by responding to challenges to international peace and security with principle and resolve. During the Republic of Korea’s presidency in February 2013, the Security Council adopted three resolutions (2090-2092), and issued two presidential statements (S/PRST/2013/2-3). During its presidency in May 2014, the Security Council adopted five resolutions (2154-2158), and issued four presidential statements (S/PRST/2014/7-10).
Disarmament and Non-proliferation Issues
The Republic of Korea has actively participated in international disarmament and non-proliferation efforts and multilateral export control. The Korean government has acceded and faithfully complied with all major international instruments, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty(NPT), the Chemical Weapons Convention(CWC), the Biological Weapons Convention(BWC) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty(CTBT). The Korean government is of the view that the international community should continue to make efforts to develop appropriate responses to ensure universal adherence to and full compliance with all agreements related to eliminating weapons of mass destruction in a more vigorous and comprehensive manner.
Human Rights
- The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
- The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child and Two Optional Protocols
- The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
- The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Peacekeeping Operations
1. UN Peacekeeping Operations
In order to achieve international peace and security, the UN Peacekeeping Operations carry out the following activities in countries that are in the process of restoring peace after the cessation of hostilities: observation of the ceasefire, disarmament, prevention of dispute recurrence, maintenance of public security and safety, support for post-war reconstruction, and promotion of human rights and the rule of law. The mandate for peacekeeping operations is not formally stipulated in the UN Charter. Nonetheless, peacekeeping operations have begun to assume an important function in establishing the post-Cold War international order and it is understood as belonging to a realm halfway between Chapter 6 (Pacific Settlement of Disputes) and Chapter 7 (Action With Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Agression) of the UN Charter, thereby giving rise to the term "Chapter 6.5." Since its first activity in Palestine in 1948 to monitor the region's ceasefire status, a total of 71 PKO missions have been implemented, joined by more than a million participants. As of September 2022, the total number of personnel serving in 12 peacekeeping operations is 73,934 which includes troops, military observers and civilian police officers. Military forces dispatched for peacekeeping operations are called Peacekeeping Forces (PKF), which are distinct from Multinational Forces (MNF).
2. The Government's Stance Regarding Peacekeeping Operations
UN Peacekeeping Operations are integral to the maintenance of international peace and security and is continuously expanding in terms of size and mandate. The Korean government is aware of the importance of peacekeeping operations and is making the effort to further contribute to the international community through increased participation in various peacekeeping activities. Domestically, the "United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Participation Act" was enacted in 2010 in a bid to promote Korea's prompt participation in UN peacekeeping operations. This law allows the Korean government and the UN to establish provisional agreements on matters related to the deployment of peacekeepers prior to the approval of the National Assembly. Recognizing the importance of UN peacekeeping operations in maintaining international peace and security, the Korean government will continue to actively participate in peacekeeping missions and strive to make further contributions to the program.
Shamanism gradually gave way to Confucianism or Buddhism as a tool for governing the people but its influence lingered on. The shaman, mudang* in Korean, is an intermediary who can link the living with the spiritual world where the dead reside. The shaman is considered capable of averting bad luck, curing sickness and assuring a propitious passage from this world to the next. The shaman is also believed to resolve conflicts and tensions that might exist between the living and the dead.
They are also thought to bring about bad luck and even death. The mudang, through their rituals and divination, identifies individuals who are believed to be witches. These individuals are often ostracized and isolated from the community. Sometimes, they are subjected to physical punishment or forced to leave the village. The idea behind these practices is to protect the community from the negative influence of witches. However, it is important to note that witch elimination in Korea is not universally accepted or practiced. In modern times, the belief in witches and the practice of mudang gut have become less common. As South Korea has modernized, traditional beliefs and practices have taken a backseat, and the focus has shifted towards science and technology. In conclusion, witch elimination in Korea is a practice that has been a part of the culture for centuries. It involves shamanistic rituals performed by a mudang to expel witches and evil spirits from the community. While this practice has declined in popularity in modern times, it still represents an important aspect of Korean folklore and belief..
Reviews for "The Influence of Confucianism on Witch Elimination in Korea"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to watch "Witch eliminator in Korea" as I'm a big fan of supernatural shows. However, I was disappointed with the show's execution. The storyline was confusing, and the characters lacked depth. The acting was also quite weak, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters. Overall, I found the show to be a letdown and not worth investing my time in.
2. John - 1 star - "Witch eliminator in Korea" was a complete disaster. The plot was extremely predictable, and the dialogue felt forced and cliché. The special effects were subpar and often looked amateurish. The pacing was off, with slow moments dragging on and important action scenes feeling rushed. I would not recommend wasting your time watching this show if you're looking for quality entertainment.
3. Lisa - 2 stars - Unfortunately, "Witch eliminator in Korea" failed to deliver any excitement or suspense. The writing was inconsistent, with plot holes and weak character development. The story felt disjointed, and it was difficult to understand the motivation of the main characters. The show had potential, but it fell flat in its execution, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and uninvested in the outcome.