In October 2026, a book co-authored by a pastor and a journalist was released. Titled Call for Justice and Record, it was written by Je Seong-gyeong, a pastor at Eunkwang Church of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, and Lee Min-young, a reporter for Jeonbuk Ilbo. The two have taken different paths: one as a pastor who examines the human soul through the Bible, and the other as a journalist who pursues the truth of society with a pen. However, their ultimate vision for the world is not vastly different—a society where human dignity is respected, the wronged are protected, and power remains humble before the truth.
The pastor questions human conscience before God, while the journalist questions human responsibility before history. If the pastor's sermons awaken the hearts of individuals, the journalist's records awaken the memory of the world. Sermons that turn away from truth become empty words, and articles that ignore justice become mere cold information. Faith requires love, and journalism requires conscience. Yet, just as love without justice can become violence, truthless love can also become hypocrisy.
For a long time, I have tried to hold onto one question while viewing the world through the lens of journalism: What do humans work for, what does society exist for, and for whom does the state exercise its power? Loving humanity, culture, and nature is not an abstract phrase. It means listening to the voices of the wronged, protecting the rights of the powerless, and making human dignity the starting point of all systems and policies. This is the foundation of truth, justice, and freedom as I see it, and the reason journalism must exist.
The meeting of Pastor Je Seong-gyeong and reporter Lee Min-young should be viewed as more than just a collaborative writing effort. Although they started from different realms of religion and journalism, they met in a place that questions today's conscience through the painful memories of modern Korean history. Their encounter poses an age-old question: What have we learned from the pains of the past, and are we practicing that learning as today's justice?
Where Justice Disappears, Human Dignity Also Vanishes
Call for Justice and Record is a 293-page book published on October 1, 2026. It is divided into four parts: 'Whose Side is Truth On?', 'Why Does South Korea Not Believe the Voices of the Weak?', 'Is Justice Alive?', and 'Speaking of Hope for South Korea Again'. It revisits ten incidents, including the Brothers Home, Seongam Academy, the Samcheong Education Center, the Iksan Yakchon Incident, the Shinan Salt Farm Slave Incident, the Suwon Homeless Girl Incident, the Nakdong River Murder Case, the Samsung Semiconductor Leukemia Case, the Kim Yong-kyun Incident, and the Yongsan Tragedy, examining how the state and society have treated human dignity.
These incidents differ in timing, background, legal responsibility, and the nature of the harm. Therefore, they should not be simplified by a single standard. However, they share a common question: When does the power exercised in the name of the state lose its legitimacy? How far can the lives of workers be sacrificed in the name of industrial development? When the judicial system turns innocent people into criminals, who bears the responsibility? If victims must fight for decades to reveal the truth, can we truly call that society just?
The Bible presents clear ethical standards in the face of these questions. Amos 5:24 urges that justice flow like water and righteousness like a mighty stream. This serves as a stern warning to those who believe they fulfill their faith obligations through mere religious rituals. No matter how splendid the worship or beautiful the hymns, if one turns a blind eye to the suffering of neighbors, the essence of faith can be lost.
The prophet Micah also demands in Micah 6:8 that we act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Justice, love, and humility are not separate virtues. Justice without love cannot change reality, love without justice can harm individuals, and justice without humility risks becoming another form of arrogance. The significance of Pastor Je Seong-gyeong bringing the wounds of modern history into the realm of ministry can be understood within this biblical tradition.
In Matthew 25, Jesus teaches the importance of feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, and caring for the sick and imprisoned. When reflecting this teaching in today's South Korea, the focus of religion should not only be on church growth but also on workplace safety, the survival of the socially vulnerable, and the restoration of wronged victims. The measure of faith cannot be determined solely by the height of buildings or the number of believers. The more crucial standard may be how sincerely one acts in front of suffering humanity.
Buddhist Compassion is the Practice of Not Turning Away from Suffering
At this point, I also recall the teachings of Buddhism. While Christianity emphasizes God's justice and love, Buddhism confronts the reality of suffering and seeks ways to escape it. The two religions differ significantly in their doctrines regarding God and salvation, but they converge on the ethical demand not to ignore the suffering of sentient beings.
The Dhammapada verse 129 reminds us that all beings fear violence and death, teaching us not to kill or harm others by reflecting on ourselves. It means to understand the suffering of others as if it were our own. The compassion spoken of in Buddhism is not mere sympathy; it is a practical heart that deeply understands the suffering of others and seeks to alleviate it.
When examining incidents like the Brothers Home or Seongam Academy, this mindset is essential. It requires viewing victims not merely as characters in a historical narrative but as individuals with families, dreams, and dignity. Unrecorded suffering can easily vanish from social memory, and unremembered suffering can repeat itself in different forms. Thus, the media's record can become a means of practicing social compassion beyond mere preservation of facts.
The Buddhist concept of interdependence is also significant. Humans do not exist as isolated beings but rather in relationships where they depend on and influence one another. The safety of workers and corporate profits, citizens' freedoms and state power, media independence and the health of democracy are not unrelated issues. In a society that allows one person's dignity to crumble, ultimately, no one's dignity can be secure.
Daoism's Water Metaphor: Justice Flows to the Lowest Places
Chapter 8 of the Dao De Jing features the famous phrase 'The highest good is like water.' Water benefits all things while remaining humble in the low places that people dislike. Laozi used this quality of water to illustrate the nature of true virtue.
I believe this teaching is necessary for today's leaders, journalists, and religious figures. While power seeks to rise to the top, justice must flow to the lowest places. The media should listen to the voices of those who have no opportunity to speak rather than focusing solely on the words of the famous. Religion should also remain close to the suffering rather than pursuing secular power and honor.
Chapter 77 of the Dao De Jing explains that the way of heaven acts by reducing what is excessive and supplementing what is lacking. This philosophy encourages reflection on the imbalances in human society through the balance of nature. It prompts us to consider a society where wealth and power are concentrated on one side while risks and suffering are shifted to another.
Of course, Laozi's principle of 'wu wei' cannot be directly applied to modern democratic laws and systems. However, the teachings to guard against excessive desire, reflect on coercive rule, and respect the lives of those in low places still hold significant meaning today. A just society is not one where the strong dominate the weak, but one where strong institutions protect the weak.
Je Seong-gyeong: Exploring New Paths in Ministry from the Bible to AI
Notably, Pastor Je Seong-gyeong's background includes not only traditional pastoral activities but also an exploration of the relationship between faith and artificial intelligence. He earned a Doctor of Theology from Baekseok University and has authored several works, including AI's DNA and the DNA of Pastors, Spirituality Beyond the Singularity, and Reading the Bible Again in the Field. The development of 'Sermon Clinic Assistant AI' is an extension of this interest.
This is a fascinating challenge. AI can analyze vast biblical data, assist in sermon preparation, and convey religious knowledge. However, the responsibility of sharing in human suffering, acting according to one's conscience, and being accountable for wrongs cannot be entrusted to machines. No matter how advanced AI becomes, the core of religion will remain questions about human souls and dignity.
In fact, the era of AI demands that pastors become even more human. As technology enriches knowledge, humanity needs wisdom, and as information overflows, the judgment of conscience becomes even more critical. In an age where AI writes sermons, a pastor's true competitive edge lies not in the eloquence of their sermons but in how sincerely they live.
The direction Pastor Je Seong-gyeong shows through this book can be evaluated from this perspective. The task of facing the pains of history and society, while ensuring that the dignity of humanity remains paramount amidst technological advancements, is a challenge that the religious community must continuously grapple with.
Lee Min-young: Discovering the Mission of Record-Keeping as a Late-Blooming Journalist
Reporter Lee Min-young's life is also noteworthy. He is a Doctor of Literature and a poet who worked for a long time at Jeonju University's student newspaper and public relations office before entering journalism. He has worked at Jeonbuk Ilbo, KNS News Agency, and Jeonmin Ilbo, and is currently a reporter at Jeonbuk Ilbo, with publications including University, University People and The Pinwheel of My Life. He also serves as a co-representative of the JD Sangsaeng Forum.
What stands out in this reporter's career is not just when he entered journalism but the breadth of experiences he has lived through. One does not have to start young to become an excellent journalist. Those who have experienced the world for a long time can remember many human expressions and societal contradictions. However, deep experience does not automatically lead to good articles. One must constantly question, verify information, and even doubt the facts one wishes to believe.
The lifeblood of journalism is truth. One must not distort facts in the name of pursuing justice, nor should unverified claims be turned into articles for noble purposes. Standing with victims and verifying facts are not conflicting values. In fact, thorough verification is the most reliable way to illuminate the injustices faced by victims.
In a recommendation for this book, Kim Yong-man, Secretary General of the Korean Journalists Association, encouraged Lee Min-young to ask questions more fiercely and not to back down in the face of uncomfortable truths, especially since he started later in his career.
I believe this advice applies to both young and seasoned journalists. The most dangerous moment for a journalist is when they think they know everything. The moment questioning stops, reporting ceases, and when reporting stops, journalism can easily devolve into a loudspeaker for power's announcements.
Confucius's Rectification of Names and Dasuk's Eolna: How Can Humans Stand Upright?
Deep insights toward a just society can also be found in Eastern classics. Confucius emphasizes the rectification of names in the Analects, meaning to correct names. Rulers should act like rulers, subordinates like subordinates, fathers like fathers, and children like children. Applying this to today's society, judges should act like judges, prosecutors like prosecutors, reporters like reporters, and pastors like pastors.
Here, 'like' does not mean enjoying the authority that comes with a title. It means fulfilling the responsibilities that come with that profession and position. If a judge only looks at the text of the law without seeing the human behind it, if a reporter seeks the honor of a scoop while ignoring the truth, and if a pastor pursues church growth while forgetting the suffering neighbor, then that name has already lost its original meaning.
I find a similar spirit in the thoughts of Dasuk Yu Yeong-mo. Dasuk's emphasis on 'Eolna' is a reflection on realizing the true spiritual self beyond the physical self and worldly desires. This leads one to pursue more fundamental values of life without being mired in personal interests and honors. Regardless of differing religions and philosophical premises, the awareness that humans must look beyond their self-centeredness to the suffering of others can foster dialogue.
However, we should not conclude that the Bible, the Dhammapada, and the Dao De Jing all convey the same teachings. Each scripture has its own historical background and worldview. Yet, they can learn from and converse with each other around the ethical reflection that human dignity must not be violated. True spirituality lies not in erasing differences but in discovering ways to love humanity while respecting those differences.
In the Age of AI, Justice and Record-Keeping Are Humanity's Final Responsibility
We are now living in an era where artificial intelligence writes articles and papers, generates videos and audio, and assists human judgment. In the future, AI will penetrate deeper into the realms of national administration, justice, healthcare, education, media, and religion. So, what should humanity do?
I want to find the answer in truth, justice, and freedom. AI can analyze vast case law, but the moral responsibility for judgments lies with humans. AI can organize past events, but it requires human conscience to determine why we should remember those events. AI can explain the Bible, the Dhammapada, and the Dao De Jing, but ultimately, it is humans who must practice those teachings in their lives.
The same goes for journalism. Even if AI speeds up article writing, it does not diminish the journalist's mission. In fact, in an era where truth and falsehood are increasingly intertwined, verifying facts, monitoring power, and recording the voices of the socially vulnerable become even more critical.
The issues raised in Call for Justice and Record are directly connected to these contemporary challenges. The incidents discussed by the two authors occurred in the past, but the questions they raise remain relevant today. Just because society has progressed does not mean that justice has been realized, and the existence of laws and systems does not guarantee human dignity.
Efforts to reveal the truth always require courage. However, that courage must not be about attacking those who think differently but about having the courage to acknowledge the wrongs of one's own group. Justice is not the property of any one faction, and conscience must not operate according to political convenience.
The Legacy of the Meeting of Humanity, Culture, and Nature
I do not want to evaluate the fact that a book has been born from the collaboration of Pastor Je Seong-gyeong and reporter Lee Min-young alone. What is more important is what questions this book leaves for readers and how deeply it provokes reflection in our society. Simply being moved by a book does not change the world. When that inspiration leads to institutional improvements, helps restore the dignity of forgotten victims, and translates into actions that prevent future generations from experiencing the same tragedies, then the record becomes a living history.
Pastor Je Seong-gyeong explained the purpose of the book's publication, stating that rather than condemning the past or defending a specific faction, he aims to reflect on today through painful history and create a more just and compassionate society.
This aspiration is precious. However, for that intention to be fully realized, the accuracy of the record, the fairness of judgment, and the respect for victims must persist until the end.
The justice of the Bible awakens human conscience, the compassion of the Dhammapada prompts us to consider the suffering of others, and the wisdom of the Dao De Jing teaches us to live a life that flows to the low places. Confucius's rectification of names demands responsibility befitting one's name, and Dasuk's Eolna questions how to live as a true human beyond the secular self. If we were to express all these teachings in today's language, they would ultimately lead to a philosophy of life that respects humanity, loves culture, and coexists with nature.
Humans need food; it is the foundation of survival. Humans need work; it is the path to realizing their abilities and responsibilities. And humans need dreams; it is the strength to move toward a better tomorrow beyond today's reality. When food, work, and dreams coexist, human life becomes whole. A just society is one where everyone has the opportunity to earn their food, work with dignity, and enjoy the freedom to dream of the future.
The pastor reads the Bible, and the journalist reads the world. Yet, what both must ultimately read is humanity—the tears and hopes, despair and courage, and the will to rise again amidst the wounds of history.
In the meeting of Pastor Je Seong-gyeong's Bible and reporter Lee Min-young's pen, I reflect on an age-old truth: Justice is not a declaration of the strong's victory but a practice that protects the dignity of the weak, and record-keeping is not merely preserving past events but a human responsibility to prevent future wrongs.
The pastor's sermon awakens conscience, and the journalist's record awakens history. Conscience must be alive for justice to thrive, and records must be alive for truth not to fade away.
This is the spirit of humanity, culture, and nature that I discovered in the meeting of these two individuals, and it is the vision of South Korea that we must leave for the next generation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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