(KoreaHerald,24.11.03) 
 
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