The visiting lecturer Dr. Hyun Jeong-im from Sogang University (Seoul, South Korea) will deliver public lecture “The third way of doing politics: Pro-democracy movements in South Korea from 1960s to nowadays” for all University’s students on October 06.
The lecture will be held at the History Hall of the Rector’s Office (Donelaičio 58). Lecture’s time: 14:15-15:45.
Behind the shinning economic success story of South Korea, the Korean people have the long and suffering but successful struggle stories for the democracy. Through this lecture, Dr. Hyun will present a passionate history of the social movements in South Korea, especially the pro-democracy movements against the military authoritarian regime since 1960s to 1987, and the consolidation of democracy in these days.
“Speaking about the ‘politics’ nowadays is a ‘boring’, ‘uninteresting’ and definitely ‘not-cool’ thing, especially for the young people. Indeed, speaking about the ‘old’ politicians, is the worst subject to talk about. That’s why I choose social movement as my lecture’s subject. Why social movements? Because they are very complex, powerful, and at the same time fragile, emotional social phenomena. Why powerful? Because the actors in the conventional political field cannot make a ‘real’ change while the social movements can. That’s why we call social movement as the third way of politics.”, Dr. Hyun stated.
An important social movement often leaves deep changes in a society, as did the Civil Rights Movement in the USA, May 68 in France or German reunification. Things cannot be as they were before, not only because of the changes in the social and political fields, but also because the individuals have changed their vision of the world thanks to the social movement. Some said that ‘acting collectively’ is the ‘only’ way disposed to the powerless. In this lecture, you will be able to examine how the powerless people made a powerful thing, that is bringing democracy in the Korean society.
Please refer to the curriculum vitae of Dr. Hyun.
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