'K-Respect' campaign aims to build a truly multicultural society in Korea: Min Byoung-chul

People

Published: 17 Jul. 2024, 16:35 Updated: 17 Jul. 2024, 18:28

'K-Respect' campaign aims to build a truly multicultural society in Korea: Min Byoung-chul

Min Byoung-chul, an endowed chair at Chung-Ang University and the founder of the non-governmental Sunfull Foundation, poses in an undated photo provided by the foundation. [SUNFULL FOUNDATION]

[INTERVIEW]

Min Byoung-chul, an endowed chair at Chung-Ang University, believes in the power of public campaigns to make Korea an inclusive society and attract more foreigners in an era of increasing multiculturalism.

“Foreigners are indispensable in Korean industries,” Min said during an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily at his office in southern Seoul on June 20, noting how they are already integral to various sectors of the Korean economy.

To attract and retain more foreign talent and address the country’s dwindling population, Min emphasized the need for campaigns that foster respect for expatriates living in Korea.

Civic movement promotes inclusive, multicultural society with K-Respect Day

“Korea has entered an era of it being a multicultural country where foreigners make up more than five percent of the total population,” Min said.

According to the Justice Ministry, 2.59 million foreigners lived in Korea as of March this year, up 11 percent on year.

“But Korea still lacks bills for foreigners or ways to help them.”

“An ambassador once showed me a video of a Korean mother-in-law mistreating her daughter-in-law who came from another Asian country,” Min said.

“This is why we need campaigns,” he added, saying that his exposure to similar incidents has prompted him to launch a campaign called K-Respect.

Participants of the declaration ceremony for K-Respect Day and No Hate Comments Day hold banners to respect foreigners and root out malicious comments online at the National Assembly members' office building in Yeouido, western Seoul, on May 23. [SUNFULL FOUNDATION]

Min founded the Sunfull Foundation, a non-governmental foundation that promotes anti-cyberbullying campaigns and counters hate speech and malicious comments online.

Known as a pioneering English educator in Korea, the founder hosted “Min Byoung-chul’s Practical English” on MBC for ten years from 1981, introducing conversational American English to Korean audiences. He taught business creativity at Konuk University and Hanyang University. In 2021, he was appointed an endowed chair of business administration at his alma mater, Chung-Ang University.

Last year, Min launched the K-Respect campaign to heighten awareness and respect for more people to embrace diverse cultures.

“I initiated the K-Respect campaign in March last year with the hopes of creating a culture where people from other countries could respect and understand each other,” Min said.

“Around 40 ambassadors and deputy chiefs of mission in Seoul supported the campaign.”

Min plans to amplify the campaign annually by collaborating with various localities and institutions. On Monday, the foundation collaborated with the Seongnam city government, hosting a declaration ceremony for the K-Respect campaign.

According to the foundation, countries like India, Indonesia and the Philippines also participate.

“If we first respect multicultural families and foreigners, the 7.5 million Korean nationals living abroad will also gain respect in their host countries,” he added.

His philosophy of respect was the cornerstone of the Sunfull Foundation, established in 2007 with the Sunfull Internet Peace Movement, an anti-cyberbullying campaign.

The foundation’s Sunfull Movement urges people to replace malicious online comments with positive ones, combating cyberbullying.

Currently, the campaigns are held at 7,000 schools nationwide, with every lawmaker in the former 21st National Assembly signing the Sunfull pledge.

“The campaign started as a simple assignment for my students," Min said. "I assigned students to leave positive comments on the websites or blogs of 10 celebrities in response to a singer’s suicide due to malicious comments online.” At the time, he was a professor at Chung-Ang University.

Founder of the Sunfull Foundation Min Byoung-chul, left, and Congresswoman Marissa Magsino of OFW Party List in the Phillippines speak during the Sunfull Street Campaign at Kwangwoon AI High School in Nowon District, northern Seoul, on June 10. [SUNFULL FOUNDATION]

Within a week, his students left 5,700 positive comments online, sparking a movement that raised public awareness about the harm of malicious comments. The campaign expanded across schools, particularly with the Ministry of Education recognizing the activity as community service hours.

The Sunfull Movement’s influence has also reached global heights. As of June, over half of the Philippine House of Representatives, 164 out of 316 members, had signed the pledge.

"Most of those who leave malicious comments do not realize their actions could become a serious crime," Min said, referring to a survey result by the Korea Internet & Security Agency.

About 41 percent said they did so out of anger toward the figure, while 37 percent did it for fun. Min also noted Korea's lenient punishment for online attackers. “Those convicted of cyber defamation can be sentenced to up to seven years in prison in Korea, but most sentences end up as fines or suspended sentences,” he said.

Consistent “campaign and education” are essential, Min stressed, pointing out that violence at schools in Ulsan participating in the Sunfull movement in 2013 dropped by 64 percent compared to the previous year, according to the Education Ministry’s data.

In November last year, the number of positive comments prompted by the Sunfull movement reached 10 million just 16 years after its launch.

To implement more practical measures, Min has been proposing bills with several lawmakers to mandate education on cyber violence at localities, public institutes and businesses.

Although the latest bill he proposed with Rep. Kim Su-min in 2019 did not pass through the National Assembly, Min plans to propose bill amendments during the 22nd parliament to mandate education on cyber violence to prevent cyberbullying.

“Another goal for me is to officially designate a Foreigners' Day, which would have more meaning beyond the K-Respect Day [that I have been promoting].”

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]