Abstract

Abstract Brothers Home was a welfare facility operated in Busan, South Korea, from 1975 to 1987. It was a site where the South Korean state involved in severe human rights abuses under the guise of ‘social purification projects’ during the authoritarian regime.

This session aims to discuss the process and impact of art creation as a mode of achieving healing and communication. The session starts with an introductory presentation on Brothers Home and its aftermath. Next, Han Jong-sun will recount his personal experiences in human rights advocacy since 2012, in which artwork has played a significant role. With a focus on his recreation of Brothers Home based on his memories, Han will talk through how he chose to express the memories through the form of art installations. Finally, Hyungju Kim will briefly reflect on the social impact of both Han’s work and the activities led by Han, along with the survivors’ group in advocating for human rights in South Korea.

Speakers: Yoon Walker (in-person): PhD candidate in Korean Studies, SOAS . PhD thesis: Institutionalized Human Rights Violations during the Authoritarian Regime in South Korea, 1960s–1980s

Han Jong-sun (online): Human rights activist and artist. He has been leading the Brothers Home survivors group since 2012. He is the author of an autobiographical book, A Child who survived, in which he recounted his own experiences at Brothers Home and the lasting impact it had on his life following his release.

Hyungju Kim (online): Assistant professor at the May 18 Institute Chonnam National University. His research interest lies in state violence, resistance movements, detention and human rights. His work includes ‘Rewriting May 18’ (2022), ‘Resistance and Representation 2: Memory and Representation of May 18’ (2020).

The event is co-organised with the May 18 Institute Chonnam National University.