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The Korea Herald, November 24, 2003 Ex-political refugee stresses tolerance In Korean society where differences are not easily accepted, "different" people are often treated as outcasts. Illegal migrants, disabled people and destitute people are discriminated against because of their differences. And this is why we need tolerance, according to Hong Se-hwa, a former political refugee. Hong, the author of "I Am a Taxi Driver in Paris" (1995), a book which describes his experiences as a political refugee in France, returned to Korea in 2000. Now he presides over an investigative news program titled "Tolerance: Difference or Distinction," airing Tuesdays at 10:50 p.m. on the Educational Broadcasting System (EBS). The program has dealt with such controversial issues as Hanchongnyeon, or the activist university students union, illegal Chinese migrants and political refugees. "I think this program will be a step forward in curing our society of Mammonism," Hong said in recent interview with The Korea Herald. "Until now, EBS has been producing programs aimed at preparing for college entrance exams. But finally the broadcaster is attempting something new and I welcome it with open arms," Hong added. He stressed that our society is still too narrow-minded to accept different ideologies or arguments. The arrest of Song Du-yul, a South Korean-German scholar, vividly represents the intolerance of Korean society, according to Hong. "He returned to his home country after 37 years in exile. He must have been agonized by a sense of emptiness as an alien in a foreign country. However, Korean society did not accept him because of his ideology," he said. Song was recently indicted on charges of violating the National Security Law, a decision which Hong harshly criticized. "It is so ridiculous because there is no evidence showing his role as a spy for North Korea." "Ideologies and notions which were created for people are now used to harm people in a society that does not have tolerance," he added. "Tolerance was developed in the 16th century in Europe as self-examination against intolerance. The religious wars between Catholics and Protestants during this period show how cruel humans can be when they cannot accept differences," Hong said. "We did not reflect on ourselves in spite of so many conflicts and divisions. Korean society is still strongly dominated by intolerance. Therefore, we have to stress tolerance in this intolerant society," Hong added. Hong took refuge in France in 1979 because of his involvement in Korea's pro-democracy movement. While he was in Paris on a business trip, he was branded as a political offender by the government and could not return to his native country. Though he spent 23 years in a foreign country before finally returning to Korea, Hong sometimes misses the foreign country that he left when he sees money worship and dehumanization in Korea. "Korea has become dehumanized. About 20 years ago, we had humanity. However, we lost it due to the extreme growth-oriented economic policy and money worship," he said. "An advertisement says that the house in which you reside displays your personality and dignity. There are so many other advertisements that appeal to money and prestige. However, the biggest problem is that they can be aired on public broadcasting channels without problems," said Hong. Newspapers are not free from his criticism, either. "Newspapers and television broadcasts are the public means to represent citizens' voices. However, the Korean mass media is not fully performing their duty. Often, they struggle to keep their private privileges and power," commented Hong. "Not only the mass media, but also nearly all Korean public institutions do not perform their roles as civil servants," he added. Hong, once a political refugee, is active in various fields. He is a core member of Hankyoreh, a progressive newspaper in Korea, serves as a representative of the civil association that is trying to abolish the abuses of Korean academic cliques and is a member of the Democratic Labor Party. However, Hong wants to remain as a progressive who practices his theories in real life. "I know that it is very difficult but I am trying to do my best to come close to my ideal model," he said with a smile. (younhee@heraldm.com)
By O Youn-hee
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