“Nonkilling Korea: Six Culture Exploration” Published

The Center for Global Nonkilling has just released its latest book Nonkilling Korea: Six Culture Exploration, which includes a selection of eight chapters from the “Nonkilling Korea: Six Culture Exploratory Seminar” convened by the Asia Center/Seoul National University and the Center for Global Nonkilling in Seoul during August 18-19, 2010. The book has been simultaneously published in two separate editions by CGNK and the Seoul National University Press. The CGNK edition can be ordered online here. The SNU Press edition can also be ordered through their website.

In contrast to academic and policy studies that concentrate on political-military-economic aspects of Korea since Division and the Korean War, authors in this book seek to discover nonkilling cultural features in South and North Korea, America, China, Japan, and Russia that can contribute to realization of a unified Nonkilling Korea – A Korea in which no Koreans kill other Koreans, no foreigners kill Koreans, and no Koreans are sent abroad to kill. Discoveries reported here provide confidence that nonkilling cultural values and capabilities can be found in all six societies that can benefit each and all in progress toward the measurable goal of a killing-free Korea and world. Readers are invited to join in further explorations.

The book is edited by Glenn D. Paige and Chung-Si Ahn, and includes a Foreword by former ROK ambassador to the United States Professor Sung Chul Yang. Contents include: “Introduction” by Glenn D. Paige; “Spiritual and Practical Assets of Korean Nonviolence” by Jang-seok Kang; “Nonkilling in North Korean Culture” by Glenn D. Paige; “From Nonkilling to Beloved Community” by Michael N. Nagler and Stephanie N. Van Hook; “Possibilities of a Peaceful Nonkilling China” by Dahua Tang; “Nonkilling in Japanese Culture” by Mitsuo Okamoto and Tamayo Okamoto; “Evolution of the Idea of Nonkilling in Russian Culture” by Tatiana Yakushkina; “Nonkilling in Russian Culture” by William V. Smirnov and “Conclusion” by the editors.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Sung Chul Yang

Preface
Glenn D. Paige and Chung-Si Ahn

1. Introduction
From Cultures of Killing
Glenn D. Paige

2. Korean Culture
1) Spiritual and Practical Assets of Korean Nonviolence
Jang-Seok Kang
2) Nonkilling in North Korean Culture
Discoveries of a Former Enemy Soldier
Glenn D. Paige

3. American Culture
From Nonkilling to Beloved Community
Can America Help?
Michael N. Nagler and Stephanie N. Van Hook

4. Chinese Culture
Possibilities of a Peaceful Nonkilling China
Cultural and Political Perspectives
Dahua Tang

5. Japanese Culture
Nonkilling in Japanese Culture
Mitsuo Okamoto and Tamayo Okamoto

6. Russian Culture
1) Evolution of the Idea of Nonkilling in Russian Culture
Tatiana Yakushkina
2) Nonkilling in Russian Culture
Social Science Approach
William V. Smirnov

7. Conclusion
Toward Nonkilling Korea
Glenn D. Paige and Chung-Si Ahn

Appendix
March 1, 1919 Nonviolent Declaration of Korean Independence