John G. Grisafi, PhD
@johnggrisafi.bsky.social
Postdoctoral Fellow in Korean Studies | Korean religions, Korean Studies, Asian religions, religion & modernity, discursive study & epistemology of religion, politics of religion, religion & place, historiography/memory of religion, marginal religions
The formal announcement of my joining the Nam Center for Korean Studies at the University of Michigan as a postdoctoral fellow:
Scholar Spotlight: John G. Grisafi | U-M LSA Nam Center for Korean Studies
The Nam Center welcomes John G. Grisafi to the University of Michigan as a Korea Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow for the 2025-26 academic year.
ii.umich.edu
September 8, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The formal announcement of my joining the Nam Center for Korean Studies at the University of Michigan as a postdoctoral fellow:
And now Trump is talking about religion in Korea. It's unclear what he's trying to accomplish. It may that he's repeating what he heard, or perhaps just a talking point to nitpick his counterpart. But it could be about domestic affairs, as I suspected about Gingrich.
www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
Trump says he is concerned about investigation targeting Korean churches
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he was seeking information from South Korea about investigations in that country that he said targeted churches and a military base.
www.reuters.com
August 26, 2025 at 12:10 AM
And now Trump is talking about religion in Korea. It's unclear what he's trying to accomplish. It may that he's repeating what he heard, or perhaps just a talking point to nitpick his counterpart. But it could be about domestic affairs, as I suspected about Gingrich.
www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
Newt Gingrich gave his two cents on religion in Korea. Predictably conservative, he talks of attacks on Christian churches from the political left in Korea and the US and lauds Trump for promoting religious rights.
Preserving religious freedom in South Korea
When South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visits President Trump on Aug. 25, the issue of religious freedom should be high on the agenda.
www.washingtontimes.com
August 22, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Newt Gingrich gave his two cents on religion in Korea. Predictably conservative, he talks of attacks on Christian churches from the political left in Korea and the US and lauds Trump for promoting religious rights.
Today I had my first day as a postdoctoral fellow at the Nam Center for Korean Studies at the University of Michigan! Looking forward to a productive and enlightening year of research and involvement here!
August 4, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Today I had my first day as a postdoctoral fellow at the Nam Center for Korean Studies at the University of Michigan! Looking forward to a productive and enlightening year of research and involvement here!
Though a short program, I feel a sense of accomplishment completing the Emerging Leaders Fellowship at National Institute for Unification Education (국립통일교육원) in South Korea this month. I learned a lot, had the privilege of visiting places most people never get to see, and met some wonderful people.
July 21, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Though a short program, I feel a sense of accomplishment completing the Emerging Leaders Fellowship at National Institute for Unification Education (국립통일교육원) in South Korea this month. I learned a lot, had the privilege of visiting places most people never get to see, and met some wonderful people.
Colleagues and I visited the 4.19 National Cemetery 국립4.19민주묘지 in Seoul on a beautiful evening. It is a resting place and memorial for students killed in the mass protests against President Syngman Rhee in the 1960 April Revolution (4.19혁명).
July 19, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Colleagues and I visited the 4.19 National Cemetery 국립4.19민주묘지 in Seoul on a beautiful evening. It is a resting place and memorial for students killed in the mass protests against President Syngman Rhee in the 1960 April Revolution (4.19혁명).
I'm honored and privileged to have been part of the 13th Emerging Leaders Fellowship Unification Academy (신진학자 통일아카데미) at the National Institute for Unification Education (국립통일교육원) in South Korea this month. It was wonderful to share the experience with a cohort of colleagues from 10 countries.
July 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I'm honored and privileged to have been part of the 13th Emerging Leaders Fellowship Unification Academy (신진학자 통일아카데미) at the National Institute for Unification Education (국립통일교육원) in South Korea this month. It was wonderful to share the experience with a cohort of colleagues from 10 countries.
I am delighted to have been conferred my PhD in Religious Studies from Yale University today! A tremendous thank you to the countless people in my life who have helped make this possible!
May 20, 2025 at 1:20 AM
I am delighted to have been conferred my PhD in Religious Studies from Yale University today! A tremendous thank you to the countless people in my life who have helped make this possible!
It's difficult to know who the real contenders are, let alone predict the outcome papal conclave, but Cardinal You Heung-sik has been named as a possible contender. If chosen, he would be the first pope from Asia.
www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/2...
www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/2...
Could world see its first Korean pope? Cardinal You gains attention - The Korea Times
Following the death of Pope Francis, Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for the Clergy, has emerged as a potential candidate for the next pontiff. As a high-ranking prela...
www.koreatimes.co.kr
April 26, 2025 at 2:37 AM
It's difficult to know who the real contenders are, let alone predict the outcome papal conclave, but Cardinal You Heung-sik has been named as a possible contender. If chosen, he would be the first pope from Asia.
www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/2...
www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/2...
I'll be presenting this Saturday at #AAS2025. My presentation, "The Inter-imperial Construction of Religion in Korea’s Open Ports Era, 1876-1905," is based on the first chapter of my dissertation. Part of the "Religion in Flux: Dynamic Constructions in Asian Religiosity" panel beginning at 8:30am.
March 11, 2025 at 11:37 PM
I'll be presenting this Saturday at #AAS2025. My presentation, "The Inter-imperial Construction of Religion in Korea’s Open Ports Era, 1876-1905," is based on the first chapter of my dissertation. Part of the "Religion in Flux: Dynamic Constructions in Asian Religiosity" panel beginning at 8:30am.
I'm glad to have been part of the first ever Yale Korean Philosophy of Religion and Theology Graduate Conference yesterday. I appreciate being invited to participate as a moderator and enjoyed the research presentations and the conversations! Thank you to the organizers!
March 2, 2025 at 1:32 AM
I'm glad to have been part of the first ever Yale Korean Philosophy of Religion and Theology Graduate Conference yesterday. I appreciate being invited to participate as a moderator and enjoyed the research presentations and the conversations! Thank you to the organizers!
This is indeed concerning. FRUS is a vital resource for accessing the official US government record of US foreign relations, relied upon heavily by scholars. I used it in my MA thesis and my PhD dissertation, both about religion in Korea. It's not only history and politics of the US affected.
February 2, 2025 at 5:51 PM
This is indeed concerning. FRUS is a vital resource for accessing the official US government record of US foreign relations, relied upon heavily by scholars. I used it in my MA thesis and my PhD dissertation, both about religion in Korea. It's not only history and politics of the US affected.
Reposted by John G. Grisafi, PhD
"South Korea’s overnight struggle has reminded the world of a stark truth: democracy is not self-sustaining. It demands vigilance. It requires collective action."
An updated version of my piece has been published on Zeteo.com. Thank you @mehdirhasan.bsky.social for sharing. #SouthKorea #Democracy
An updated version of my piece has been published on Zeteo.com. Thank you @mehdirhasan.bsky.social for sharing. #SouthKorea #Democracy
"South Korea: The Deeper Story Behind the Unrest"
UMass Amherst's Heesoo Jang writes for Zeteo about how President Yoon's surprise martial law declaration was a culmination of longstanding tensions – and offers lessons on democracy to the rest of the world.
UMass Amherst's Heesoo Jang writes for Zeteo about how President Yoon's surprise martial law declaration was a culmination of longstanding tensions – and offers lessons on democracy to the rest of the world.
South Korea: The Deeper Story Behind the Unrest
President Yoon's surprise martial law declaration is a culmination of longstanding tensions – and offers lessons to the world.
zeteo.com
December 6, 2024 at 1:43 PM
"South Korea’s overnight struggle has reminded the world of a stark truth: democracy is not self-sustaining. It demands vigilance. It requires collective action."
An updated version of my piece has been published on Zeteo.com. Thank you @mehdirhasan.bsky.social for sharing. #SouthKorea #Democracy
An updated version of my piece has been published on Zeteo.com. Thank you @mehdirhasan.bsky.social for sharing. #SouthKorea #Democracy
Reposted by John G. Grisafi, PhD
Democratic Party resolves to initiate impeachment proceedings against Yoon if he refuses immediate resignation, following overnight martial law crisis.
December 3, 2024 at 10:53 PM
Democratic Party resolves to initiate impeachment proceedings against Yoon if he refuses immediate resignation, following overnight martial law crisis.
Reposted by John G. Grisafi, PhD
What just happened in South Korea:
At around 10:25 pm: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a televised announcement
Within hours, 190 lawmakers voted in parliament to block the move while martial law officials entered the building.
At 4:27 am: Yoon lifts martial law
At around 10:25 pm: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a televised announcement
Within hours, 190 lawmakers voted in parliament to block the move while martial law officials entered the building.
At 4:27 am: Yoon lifts martial law
December 3, 2024 at 7:45 PM
What just happened in South Korea:
At around 10:25 pm: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a televised announcement
Within hours, 190 lawmakers voted in parliament to block the move while martial law officials entered the building.
At 4:27 am: Yoon lifts martial law
At around 10:25 pm: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a televised announcement
Within hours, 190 lawmakers voted in parliament to block the move while martial law officials entered the building.
At 4:27 am: Yoon lifts martial law
Reposted by John G. Grisafi, PhD
Some contextual differences between the US and Korea are worth noting, particularly regarding why certain outcomes are less likely to occur over here (sorry!):
December 3, 2024 at 8:06 PM
Some contextual differences between the US and Korea are worth noting, particularly regarding why certain outcomes are less likely to occur over here (sorry!):
Reposted by John G. Grisafi, PhD
Methinks my fellow Americans might benefit from learning a bit more about the long struggle in South Korea against authoritarian rule and the flowering of its protest culture.
Namhee Lee's book is one good place to start. Any other recs?
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801...
Namhee Lee's book is one good place to start. Any other recs?
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801...
The Making of Minjung by Namhee Lee | Paperback | Cornell University Press
"This book is the best, and virtually the only, political ethnography of South Korean antigovernment political activism by students and intellectuals during the 1980s."—Korean Studies
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu
December 3, 2024 at 5:34 PM
Methinks my fellow Americans might benefit from learning a bit more about the long struggle in South Korea against authoritarian rule and the flowering of its protest culture.
Namhee Lee's book is one good place to start. Any other recs?
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801...
Namhee Lee's book is one good place to start. Any other recs?
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801...
Reposted by John G. Grisafi, PhD
Another great book by Charles Kim to recommend on the history of South Korea's long democratic struggle: uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/youth-...
December 3, 2024 at 7:13 PM
Another great book by Charles Kim to recommend on the history of South Korea's long democratic struggle: uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/youth-...
Reposted by John G. Grisafi, PhD
BREAKING: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol says he has ordered the withdrawal of troops and will formally lift the martial law.
December 3, 2024 at 7:36 PM
BREAKING: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol says he has ordered the withdrawal of troops and will formally lift the martial law.
Reposted by John G. Grisafi, PhD
Natl Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik just made a statement calling for Yoon to lift the decree immediately, and the military and police to stop partaking in an illegal act. Nailed Yoon’s political coffin by adding that the military acted on principle and not politically.
December 3, 2024 at 7:07 PM
Natl Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik just made a statement calling for Yoon to lift the decree immediately, and the military and police to stop partaking in an illegal act. Nailed Yoon’s political coffin by adding that the military acted on principle and not politically.
Reposted by John G. Grisafi, PhD
Nat'l Assembly votes to demand lifting of martial law en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2024...
Nat'l Assembly votes to demand lifting of martial law | Yonhap News Agency
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- The National Assembly voted Wednesday to demand President Yoon S...
en.yna.co.kr
December 3, 2024 at 4:16 PM
Nat'l Assembly votes to demand lifting of martial law en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2024...
Reposted by John G. Grisafi, PhD
South Korea's national assembly passed a resolution declaring martial law invalid
December 3, 2024 at 4:15 PM
South Korea's national assembly passed a resolution declaring martial law invalid
Reposted by John G. Grisafi, PhD
It took only ~2.5 hrs for the National Assembly to gather a majority of members (190 of 300) and generate a unanimous vote (190 of 190) to vote down the emergency martial law. The law says the president "shall comply" with parliament's vote, but doesn't specify a time frame.
December 3, 2024 at 4:19 PM
It took only ~2.5 hrs for the National Assembly to gather a majority of members (190 of 300) and generate a unanimous vote (190 of 190) to vote down the emergency martial law. The law says the president "shall comply" with parliament's vote, but doesn't specify a time frame.