Minjok Essay

When Koreans discuss the concept of 'Minjok', they usually think of a group which member is in identical nation. Some might argue that this concept lose its meaning nowadays since 21st century is the era of open borders. However, analyzing the concept of it does have several noticeable points.
The word 'Minjok' was first made by translating the word 'nation', which came from a Latin word 'natio'. At first, 'natio' means a group which bond its member with blood-relation. Its meaning has changed as certain social status, colleagues. After French revolution, the meaning of it changed as a group of people who share same political view, rather than blood-relationship.
The concept of Minjok was re-defined in Japanese-colonization period, which Japan completely take control of Korean government. Many scholars in Korea want to fight against Japan with strong collaboration among every citizens, and spreading the concept of Minjok is a method of gathering people. A historian named Shin chae-ho argued that the history of Korea and Japan is different from the initial point. They have different ancestor, and with the concept of ‘Minjok’, they have developed distinct cultures. His argument is against to that of Japan.