Dear Conference Participants,
It is my pleasure to introduce Prof. Dr. Kim, Hiheon, the newly elected dean of the Graduate School at Hanshin University, which will host our 2026 Seoul conference. The conference will feature Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Bishop and moderator of the WCC, as a keynote speaker, from October 28 through October 1.
Prof. Kim is in charge of organizing the conference/symposium in collaboration with Dr. Lim Chang Sei, a former doctoral student of Traugott Jaehnichen at the University of Bochum, Germany. Dr. Lim is currently a research professor in International Public Theology at the Forum Center, Berkeley.
They serve as representatives of the Korean committee in charge of organization, announcements, subsidies, and student participation, with a focus on exploring and promoting a critical, constructive dialogue between Minjung Theology and Public Theology.
During my time at Wartburg Theological Seminary, I had the pleasure of editing on Minjung Theology in collaboration with Veli-Matti, and I greatly appreciated the support from several prominent scholars, such as J. Moltmann, Hans Küng, John B. Cobb, and Friedel Marquardt, who encouraged us to embrace Minjung Theology in the Fourth Eye Formation.
For more on this, you can refer to the book Asian Contextual Theology for the Third Millennium: Theology of Minjung in Fourth Eye Formation here. https://zoboko.com/text/rmmw6lpx/asian-contextual-theology-for-the-third-millennium-theology-of-minjung-in-fourth-eye-formation/11
Dr. Kim studied at the Graduate School of Claremont and is one of the major voices within the Minjung Theology circle. He also spent several years as a local pastor at HangRyn Church in Seoul, a prestigious faith community of the PROK, advocating for those burdened by the sin of the world—much like Dr. Ahn, Byung Mu, the father of Minjung Theology, and a lifelong friend of Moltmann, with whom he frequently debated.
To continue the ecumenical prophetic legacy between Moltmann and Dr. Ahn, PROK (Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea) has invited Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, and Hanshin Graduate School at PROK will host the conference through a generous subsidy and electronic facilities, facilitating overseas participants joining via Zoom livestream.
During my upcoming trip to Seoul, I will confirm all necessary facilities and budget-related matters with Prof. Kim and will provide debrief updates on any new developments to all of you.
Here is Prof. Dr. Kim Hiheon’s welcoming message:
Message from Prof. Dr. Kim, Hiheon
September 30, 2026
Dear Conference Participants from the US and Germany,
I welcome all of you and would like to express my appreciation to Paul S. Chung, a world-renowned alumnus, distinguished full professor, and acting president in International Public Theology at the Forum Center. He is currently organizing this conference, which promises to be one of the most important events in the coming months.
I extend my greetings to Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, who has accepted our PROK’s invitation in collaboration with the KNCC, and to Prof. Ted Peters, a world-renowned scholar in the area of Science and Religion dialogue, who is also a partner of the Center for Theology and Natural Sciences, which has an MoU partnership with Hanshin Graduate School.
Our special task force within the Korean committee is energetically working to make the conference a success by developing the relevance between Minjung Theology and Ecumenical Public Theology. Our school is providing necessary subsidies to make your stay at our guest rooms more comfortable. We are also consulting with Prof. Paul S. Chung and Dr. Chai Soo-il, a former President of Hanshin University and the current Endowed Chair of Ecumenics and Global Mission at the Graduate School.
Our team prays for your preparations as well as your participation in the conference, without any difficulty.
Warm regards,
Dr. Kim Hiheon
Dean at the Graduate School of Theology
Committee Representative in Charge of Hosting the Seoul Conference
Appreciation for Your Message and Encouragement to the PROK and Hanshin Seminary
Dear Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm,
Moderator and Chair of the World Council of Churches,
I deeply appreciate your message to the PROK and Hanshin Seminary.
It is with great pleasure and distinct honor that I will host an international conference at Hanshin Graduate School of Theology from September 29 to October 1, with the esteemed presence of Chairperson Heinrich Bedford-Strohm of the World Council of Churches. I recognize the profound significance of this occasion for advancing Korean theological scholarship and broadening its global dialogue. Accordingly, I am committed to undertaking the most thorough and diligent preparations for the conference.
As a representative of minjung theology, I am excited to share our common concerns and distinctive approaches with world-renowned public theologians participating in the conference. I am also very attentive to improving communication system in collaboration with Prof. Paul Chung.
At our school, a chapel service is held every Wednesday morning with approximately 100 ministerial candidates in attendance. We would be most grateful if you could deliver a 40-minute lecture or sermon during the chapel service from 11:30 to 12:30 on September 30, during the conference.
Once again, I am grateful for your encouraging message and your willingness to participate in the conference.
All the best,
Dean Kim