Conversation with Shiwoo about feminist politics in Korea and the Korean diaspora
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Shiwoo 시우 is an activist with World Without War and a writer, translator, and author of an important queer studies book titled QUEER APOCALYPSE (2018). They are also a conscientious objector to military service in South Korea. Shiwoo was found “not guilty” by an important court ruling in 2020 that recognized queer feminist political dissent and faith-based activism against militarism. The final decision is still pending.
Suggested reading:
- Shiwoo, “Unfinished story: Reflections after the second ruling on conscientious objection.” World Without War website (Dec 17, 2020, in Korean) http://www.withoutwar.org/?p=16906
- “How does one demonstrate their belief in peace other than risk going to prison?” The Hankyoreh (October 12, 2019, in Korean)
- Tikhonov, Vladimir. “Militarism and Anti-Militarism in South Korea: ‘Militarized Masculinity’ and the Conscientious Objector Movement.” The Asia Pacific Journal/ Japan Focus 7, no. 12 (March 16, 2009).
- Jung, Youngoh. “The Normalization of Universal Male Conscription in South Korean Society and the State Regulation of Draft Evasion and Conscientious Objection: 1950–1993.” Trans-Humanities Journal 7, no. 3 (2014): 125–61.
Ju Hui Judy Han is a cultural geographer and Assistant Professor in Gender Studies at UCLA, where she teaches classes on gender and sexuality, Korean studies, (im)mobilities, and comics. Her research and publications concern conservative religious formations, queer activism, and protest cultures. Judy grew up in Seoul and has lived and worked in Los Angeles, Berkeley/Oakland, Vancouver, and Toronto.