Author Description

This book is a cultural history of the development of a Protestant form of nationalism in Korea, a type of ethical nationalism which is termed self-reconstruction nationalism. Its objective was to build a modern nation-state whose identity centered on the attainment of a democratic, self-reliant, ‘Christian’ society through spiritual renewal, moral reformation and purposeful action. The concept of the nation-state is one of the most powerful political concepts of modern times. From the foundation of the Independence Club in April 1896 to the Japanese invasion of China in July 1937, Protestants were involved in most phases and streams of the nationalistic movement in Korea and abroad. This study begins with the creation of the Independence Club by So Chaep’il in 1896 and concludes with the invasion of China by Japan in 1937. The Independence Club is widely regarded as the first modern nationalist organisation in Korea, and was also the first opportunity for Korea’s new Protestant intellectuals to present their self-reconstruction ideology to the nation. The Japanese invasion of China marked the end to all legal nationalist organizations and most illegal nationalist activities inside Korea. For the Protestant Church, it marked the beginning of a new period of intense suppression as the whole peninsula became pressed into the service of Japan’s war effort.