Korean Women and Suh Nam-Dong’s Minjung Theology: Critiques from Korean Feminist Theologians

Abstract Suh Nam-Dong’s minjung theology has contributed to addressing the suffering of oppressed Koreans. Although Korean women have played an essential role as agents in the Korean Christian mission, minjung theology has been criticized by Korean feminist theologians for ignoring the suffering of Korean women and failing to include them fully as part of the minjung. From another perspective, minjung theology has also contributed to the development of Korean feminist theology. A comparative study of these two perspectives within Korean feminist theology can shed new light on the understanding of minjung theology and contribute to the development of Korean contextual theology. Although it is hard to avoid criticizing minjung theology for failing to listen to Korean women’s experiences, Suh’s methodology has contributed to the development of Korean feminist theology. To contribute to Christian mission in Korea, Korean contextual theology should find those who are doubly marginalized within minjung in contemporary Korea.