The Hamas-Israel war erupted last weekend. While watching YouTube channels analyzing this war from political, economic, and investment perspectives, the content from the ‘Book-Reading Lion’ channel opened my eyes. I couldn’t help but agree with his point that no expert had predicted this. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has formed a coalition with far-right parties in Israel to secure a third term in office; the “paper tiger” who has served as a mediator in the power struggle between Israel and the Arab nations surrounding Palestine; U.S. President Biden—who has long served as a mediator in the power struggle over Palestine among Arab nations—and the recent revelation that he is suspected of being behind the decision to release $6 billion in funds from South Korea, which had been frozen as payment for oil, to Iran in exchange for the return of American prisoners—all of this has sent shockwaves through the global diplomatic and security landscape. The prediction that this aftershock could hit Asia like a tidal wave, potentially sparking war between China and Taiwan, weighs heavily on my mind.
However, more shocking than the historical perspective of diplomatic conflicts and confrontations between nations is the fact that Hamas launched a daring pre-dawn surprise attack on the Sabbath, firing thousands of rockets and missiles to overwhelm Israel’s Iron Dome, and took women and children hostage. Following this, Israel’s counterattack indiscriminately bombed the Gaza Strip, resulting in thousands of casualties. While it’s claimed to be precision bombing minimizing civilian casualties, footage shown by the BBC reveals a completely different, horrific reality. Hearing reports that some of the shells used by Hamas were provided by North Korea, I worry that South Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea might also be drawn into that war. Seeing the successful outcome of Hamas’ surprise terrorist attack makes me uneasy, wondering if North Korea might be benchmarking it.
While tectonic shifts are occurring in the global security framework and the war in the Middle East could escalate into World War III, South Korea’s political circles remain preoccupied only with prosecutorial investigations and elections. It’s heartbreaking to see the same national disease of our ancestors—engaging in factional strife until the nation’s collapse, as in the late Joseon period—still persisting. Yesterday, I visited Incheon’s Chinatown for lunch and then went to Liberty Park. Seeing the statue of General MacArthur, the hero of the Korean War who faced overwhelming odds, I felt an urgent need for a hero to emerge and save our divided, crisis-stricken nation today. Then, contemplating what I could do in the face of this national and ethnic crisis, I saw a YouTube online church holding a live prayer meeting. They knelt down, repenting for the sin of not praying for the nation and people, so I joined them. I also contacted my friend, the founder of Palestine, to ask about his family’s well-being. Thankfully, I received a reply that they were all safe. I resolved to protect my family and local community first, and then to protect the Republic of Korea.
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