EPISODE · Sep 4, 2025 · 15 MIN
25(15). Inside the Korean “We (Uri),” Part 2
from Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time Podcast · host Dr. Jiwon Yoon
Inside the Korean “We (Uri),” Part 2 — People First: Radical Humanism at the Heart of Korea’s “We” (uri)We continue our series on Kim Tae-hyung’s book In the Korean Mind, There Is “We” (한국인의 마음속엔 우리가 있다). This series is shared with the author’s permission.What we cover—briefly:People first, then rules. From Hongik Ingan (“broadly benefit the human world”) to the emergency cry Saram sallyeo! (사람살려, “Save the person!”).How human-centeredness becomes uri. Why “our mom” (우리 엄마, uri eomma) signals care, and why a server may be called imo (“auntie”)—pulling strangers into a warm, temporary we.Conscience over code. The highest compliment: beop eopsi-do sal saram (법 없이도 살 사람, “a person who could live without laws”).Two moral pillars. Uiri (의리, righteous fidelity) and myeongbun (명분, just cause) as the backbone of public trust.Public figures and proportion. Why leaders and celebrities face a higher bar—and why a healthy uri seeks truth and protects people (proportion, due process, care).👉 Read the full essay (with visuals):https://yoonjiwon.substack.com/p/uri-series-2Missed Part 1? Start here:https://yoonjiwon.substack.com/p/uri-series-1Production note: Made with NotebookLM (from my script and sources); reviewed and edited by Dr. Jiwon Yoon. Get full access to Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time at yoonjiwon.substack.com/subscribe
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25(15). Inside the Korean “We (Uri),” Part 2
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