Abstract

Unification of Korea is required to guarantee the freedom, welfare and dignity of every individual of the nation and to contribute to the development of the mankind. It should also minimize adapting conflicts and finally bring about the 'recovery of homogeneity'. The idea of unification of divided Korea should be guided by the idea of peace, which becomes a universal ethic for furthering the well-being of mankind and managing conflicts rationally. Humanism and the idea of peace in Korean traditional religious culture is equated with the idea of human dignity the archetype of Korean culture. As we universalize it, it provides the foundation of the idea of peaceful unification. Tonghak's ideas of "serving God," "Man is the Heaven," "Serving persons as God" reveals the idea of human dignity in Korean thought. Moreover, Tonghak's idea of equality and peace is a key notion for peaceful unification that is inherited from idea of Hongik person. Ideas of reciprocity and mutuality in Confucianism are a culmination of Confucian humanism. The idea of a society of great unity is a political idea which reflects reciprocity. It can also seek the great solidarity of the nation through reciprocity. Buddhism soothes conflicts among persons, social groups and families. The ideal of Buddhist humanism signifies non- violence and bans killing for practical compassion leading to Nirvana. Therefore it also provides a humanistic foundation of unification. The responsibility of Korean tradition and religious culture lies in reconciling the opposites - materialism and idealism, capitalism and communism. Humanism and idea of peace in Korean religious culture become the foundation of ideas to overcome ideology and to open the horizons of harmony and reconciliation for world peace in the 21st century.