6. Influential Worldviews

North Korea has not only been influenced by communism. A philosophy that the North Korean government claims reigns in its country is “Juche” (pronouned joo-chay), an ideology that presents the country’s leaders as neardeity.

Religious outlooks, such as those of shamanism, Confucianism, Buddhism and Christianity have also had an impact on Korean culture and value systems, making present-day Korea a blend of various beliefs and ideologies.

For example, Confucianism emphasizes class structures, so in North Korea hierarchies in the social system are important. Families are also highly regarded within Confucian thought so it is traditional in North Korea that the father hands on leadership of the family to his son. Kim Il- Sung handing on leadership of the nation to his son, Kim Jong-Il, fits in with traditional Korean values. In shamanism, expressing one’s emotions is also very important, possibly explaining why, when Kim Il-Sung died in July of 1994, all North Korean citizens wept openly and intensively for several days. In Confucianism, the king or ruler is seen as father of his nation and honored as such, so Kim Il-Sung is honored as the father of the North. It is also common within shamanistic and Confucian cultures for people to honor their ancestors. In both South and North Korea, many families bow to deceased ancestors. It is very true that “in East Asia the dead are more alive than in the West.”15 This could help explain why North Korean citizens continue to almost “worship” their president Kim Il-Sung even after his death.

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Acts 2:44-45

• Praise God for true communal living and sharing among the people of the early church.
• Pray that the government in North Chosun will truly reflect the will of the people and work for their good.
• Pray that the people in North Chosun will seek to be not just one nation but one nation under the true God.