American scholar Bernard Rowan, drawing from a recent visit to Seoul, reflects on the life and ideas of Ahn Chang-ho, known as Dosan, to address political polarization in Korea and the United States. Dosan was an independence activist and founder of the Korean Provisional Government during Japanese occupation. Rowan suggests Dosan's philosophy of mutual love offers a path to overcome today's democratic challenges.
Rowan recounted visiting Dosan Park and its museum in Gangnam, Seoul, in October while waiting for a dinner with a friend. There, he received books on Ahn Chang-ho and watched a video about his life, immersing himself in the story of this independence activist and co-founder of the Korean Provisional Government under Japanese rule.
Dosan championed 'mutual love' (chong-ui), encapsulated in the epigram 'Love others to love yourself,' a variation of the Golden Rule printed on cloth in Chinese characters. Political philosopher Kwak Jun-hyeok describes it as mutual self-development through building a good society. As a syncretic leader blending idealism and pragmatism, Dosan established schools, promoted trade skills and Korean-owned businesses among the diaspora, and advocated coeducation at Chomjin School.
Rowan highlights Dosan's focus on meeting the needs of all, rich or poor, and his criticism of blaming others for Korea's troubles, urging modern parties to self-reflect more than accuse rivals. The book 'Strengthened Abilities' by Tschung-Sun Kim and Michael Reinschmidt analyzes Dosan's social, economic, and political ideas as remedies for excessive partisanship.
Despite clashes, including major differences with Syngman Rhee and a 1926 deportation attempt in America by Rhee loyalists, Dosan viewed conflicts as chances for unity and self-understanding. Rowan draws parallels to James Madison's advocacy for public involvement via groups and parties to manage factions. Through businesses, equal education, internationalism, and political engagement, Korea has become a beacon of freedom, he notes. Democracies depend on 'We the People,' and Dosan's lifelong commitment to independence is vital today to transcend partisanship for national and human good.
Bernard Rowan is associate provost and political science professor at Chicago State University, a former Korea Foundation fellow, and past visiting professor at Hanyang University.