In Korea, the witch hunt phenomenon occurred during the late 17th century to the early 18th century. This dark period in Korean history was marked by the persecution and execution of individuals believed to be practicing witchcraft. The primary purpose of the witch hunts was to maintain social order and protect the Confucian moral values of the society. The main idea of the witch hunt in Korea was the hunt for individuals who were suspected of conducting witchcraft activities. These individuals were commonly referred to as "witches" and were believed to possess supernatural powers that could harm others or disrupt the social fabric. The hunts were instigated by the authorities and supported by Confucian scholars who perceived the practice of witchcraft as a threat to the stability of the society.
The hunts were instigated by the authorities and supported by Confucian scholars who perceived the practice of witchcraft as a threat to the stability of the society. During the height of the witch hunts, hundreds of people, mostly women, were accused of witchcraft and subjected to torture and execution. Those accused were often scapegoats for societal problems such as natural disasters, crop failures, or the death of children.
South Korea: Soldier convicted in outrageous military gay witch-hunt
South Korea’s military must immediately end a bigoted hunt to root out gay personnel, Amnesty International said, after a serving soldier was convicted of having a same-sex relationship.
This unjust conviction should be immediately overturned. No-one should be persecuted based on their sexual orientation, activity or gender identity alone.
Roseann Rife, East Asia Research Director at Amnesty International.
The soldier, whose identity remains anonymous, was given a six month prison sentence suspended for one year at a military trial on Wednesday. The soldier fell down when the judgment was delivered and was taken to hospital.
“This unjust conviction should be immediately overturned. No-one should be persecuted based on their sexual orientation, activity or gender identity alone. What counts is their service not their sexuality,” said Roseann Rife, East Asia Research Director at Amnesty International.
The soldier was charged under the country’s military law that prohibits military personnel from engaging in same-sex consensual sexual activity. He is now suspended from duty and risks being discharged from the army.
The conviction raises fears that dozens of other military personnel will face a similar fate. Last month, a national NGO – Military Human Rights Centre of Korea (MHRCK) – accused the army of setting up fake profiles on dating apps to entrap military personnel and subjecting those identified to homophobic interrogations.
“President Moon Jae-in needs to send an unequivocal message that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity will not be tolerated, including in the military,” said Roseann Rife.
“It is long overdue for South Korea to repeal this archaic and discriminatory provision in the military criminal code, and get up-to-date when it comes to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex people.”
The accusations were based on superstitions and unfounded rumors, leading to the wrongful persecution and loss of innocent lives. The witch hunts in Korea were characterized by brutal interrogation methods and a lack of due process. Accused individuals were subjected to various forms of torture, such as beatings, water torture, and the stake. The authorities believed that extracting confessions through torture would reveal the truth behind the alleged witchcraft activities. Though the witch hunts in Korea were fueled by a belief in supernatural powers and a fear of witchcraft, they were ultimately a product of social instability and political conflicts. The hunts were often used as a means to shift blame and divert attention from larger societal issues. They served as a tool for maintaining control and reinforcing Confucian moral values in a tumultuous period of Korean history. In conclusion, the witch hunts in Korea were a dark chapter in its history, marked by the persecution and execution of individuals accused of witchcraft. The main idea of the witch hunts was the search for witches deemed responsible for societal problems and the maintenance of social order. These hunts were driven by superstitions, rumors, and a desire to protect Confucian moral values. However, they resulted in the wrongful persecution and loss of innocent lives, highlighting the negative consequences of such actions..
Reviews for "Witch Hunters and the Suppression of Dissent in Korean History"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Hunter of Witches in Korea" as I am a fan of supernatural thrillers, but unfortunately, this book fell short for me. The plot was disjointed and confusing, jumping between different timelines without proper transitions. I found it hard to keep track of the characters and their motivations. Moreover, the writing style was lackluster, with long and repetitive descriptions that didn't add much to the story. Overall, I was disappointed with the execution of the concept and would not recommend this book.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Hunter of Witches in Korea" to be incredibly disappointing. The premise had so much potential, but the execution was poor. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to care about their journey. Additionally, the pacing was slow and the action scenes were underwhelming. The author attempted to incorporate Korean culture and folklore, but it felt shallow and stereotypical. Overall, I was left frustrated and unengaged throughout the book, which ultimately left a sour taste in my mouth.
3. Alex - 2 stars - As a fan of both fantasy and Korean culture, I had high hopes for "Hunter of Witches in Korea." However, I was let down by the inconsistent world-building and the lack of authenticity in the representation of Korean traditions. The story seemed rushed, with important plot points glossed over or introduced abruptly without proper explanation. Furthermore, the protagonist was a cliché "chosen one" archetype, lacking the complexity needed to truly engage the readers. Overall, I believe this book missed the mark it was aiming for and I cannot recommend it to others.