The gospel of the great leader

President Trump's recent attempt to reconnect with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has placed strain on ties with South Korea, raising concerns about the US's unpredictable stance in the region. By reducing joint military drills with South Korea, Trump has heightened instability in a volatile area, a move that even Chinese President Xi Jinping deems problematic as Kim Jong-un is likely to perceive it as a boost to his aspirations for greater autonomy from China.

This situation echoes the ongoing conflict with Iran, suggesting that the Trump administration might have failed to consider the possible repercussions of its actions thoroughly. Unlike the Soviet Union, North Korea remains an enigma, making it challenging to devise a cohesive approach toward the nation. Jonathan Cheng's book, Korean Messiah: Kim Il Sung and the Christian Roots of North Korea's Personality Cult, provides crucial insights into the origins of the regime by exploring how Christian beliefs helped shape the spiritual and political landscape of North Korea.

Cheng's thorough research, drawing from archival documents and other sources, reveals the complex relationship between politics and Christianity that fueled the personality cult surrounding Kim Il-sung, ultimately leading to the current dynastic rule by Kim Jong-un.