The religious phenomenon of Juche ideology as a political tool

Abstract

This study aims to determine the motive that led to the establishment of Juche by Kim Il Sung amidst the influence of communism and its transformation into religion in North Korea. North Korea is a communist country dictated by Kim Jong-Un of the Kim dynasty and known for its cruelty. The country underwent several changes from Marxism-Leninism to familism to determine its strength in Juche. This ideology that acts as a religion was influenced and strengthened Kim Jong Il to Kim Jong-Un and built by shifting the concept of marxism-Leninism to construct a new understanding of Juche. It will be demonstrated that this ideology was influenced by Confucianism, Christianity, Nationalism, Chinese Communism, and Russian Communism. In the modern era, imperialism was used as an ideological tool to restrict backwardness. This theory allegedly helped Kim Il-Sung establish a unitary, one-person rule over North Korea. ‘It will be examined whether Juche ideology is a tool the state has used to convince people of their government. Pronouncements, an intentional religion in which the people were to believe that their Ruler (Kim Il Sung) was a supreme human or an ideology that morphed into a religion’. It will be demonstrated that, when they started honoring Kim as their god, no other religion was permitted.Contribution: This research offers readers an understanding of the value of humanity in the binding ideology of Juche. However, the Juche Ideology can serve as a missiological bridge towards mission goals, which require the experience of spiritual, physical, and social liberation.

Perceptions of Juche ideology by expats in North Korea: A qualitative study

“…In their work on the history of Christianity in Korea, Kim and Kim (2015) also examined the evolution of Juche from philosophy to functioning as a substitute for religious activity in North Korea. More recently, Widjaja et al (2021) reviewed Juche from a missiological angle, also treating Juche as a de facto religion, while Holmes and Hong (2021) examined how Juche interplays with trauma to influence the worldview formation of North Koreans.…”

“…Whatever the academics argue, what has been unknown is what people who live in North Korea actually perceive concerning Juche. It is nearly impossible to conduct primary research with North Koreans who have not defected (Widjaja et al, 2021). While North Korea is notoriously reclusive and known as the “Hermit Kingdom,” there have been a number of expatriates who reside or have resided in North Korea.…”

Christianity and Plurality in Indonesia

“…Therefore, living in harmony and mutual respect for fellow human beings of different religions is a form of synergism between the general (ideology) and special revelations (theology). Therefore, Fransiskus Irwan Widjaja et al wrote that Christianity needs to understand its calling in a pluralistic world [31].…”