I reflect deeply on just how immense the moral decay and depravity of the time of Noah were in human history that God’s judgment by water came upon the world. Genesis 6 records a pattern of sexual depravity in which the “sons of God”—a term that is difficult to define precisely—were captivated by the physical beauty of human daughters and united with them as each chose. The giants of that era, known as the “Nephilim,” were mighty warriors and renowned ancient rulers. The biblical description that “the whole earth was corrupt and full of violence” lends weight to the exegetical interpretation that these beings intentionally sought to expand their own power cartel and rule the world through violence and oppression. This represents a fundamental arrogance—a rejection of the Creator’s righteous rule and a human attempt to become the masters of the world—which runs parallel to the distorted greed that began in the Garden of Eden. Amid the whirlwind of this severe judgment, only Noah and his family—a total of eight people—who walked with the Creator were able to survive aboard the ark. Interestingly, the fact that the Chinese character for “boat” (船) is composed of the character for “boat” (舟), the character for “eight” (八), and the character for “mouth” (口) seems to corroborate this historical record. With unwavering faith, they spent decades building the massive ark. The patience of Noah’s family—who must have silently endured the cynicism, humiliation, and physical hardships of those long years—resonates deeply with us today.
Recently, news of communication between former Ambassador Morse Tan—who visited South Korea following a press conference at the Washington Press Club addressing the issue of election integrity in South Korea—and President Yoon Suk-yeol, who remains incarcerated amid the political upheaval, has sparked significant discussion both within religious circles and the broader public sphere. The message of encouragement and support conveyed by former Ambassador Morse Tan, a devout believer, was deeply moving, and President Yoon’s message from prison—through in-depth analysis by independent media—could be understood from a macro perspective as a massive ideological war against the global governance cartel, transcending mere domestic political wrangling. In particular, reports of the leader’s health issues and the circumstances of his complete isolation—amid harsh seasonal conditions and within substandard detention facilities—evoke deep sorrow from a human rights perspective. However, the absolute isolation in a solitary cell—which he must face after stepping down from the pinnacle of power—is likely the most unbearable ordeal a human being can endure.
Having once passed through the tunnel of severe depression and isolated myself for months in a small room of my apartment, I empathize more deeply than anyone with the weight of that utter loneliness and disconnection. Just as Dr. Viktor Frankl, a survivor of Auschwitz, testified about the wisdom required to navigate that paradoxical time—when one did not want to see anyone yet simultaneously felt a profound sense of alienation—and as I myself came to realize through my own grueling experience working in the delivery industry, I believe that the imprisoned leader has already established a firm existential center.
Amidst all this, the Trump administration’s letter regarding the presidential election—released through a key White House spokesperson’s channel—foretells a massive shock to the Korean economy. The high-intensity measure, announcing the imposition of a 25% retaliatory tariff on all South Korean exports effective August 1, should be interpreted—as political commentators have pointed out—not as a mere trade friction but as a highly significant political and security warning. This is because economic trends ultimately operate within the security framework established by macro-politics. Looking back, South Korea’s miraculous economic growth was made possible by its accession to the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) system in 1967 and the establishment of an export-led model while enjoying mutually beneficial tariff advantages among members of the free world under the U.S. security umbrella. Subsequently, China—formerly part of the communist bloc—also leaped forward to become the world’s manufacturing hub by opening its markets through integration into the WTO system, and Russia was able to break free from its chronic rationing system through open-door policies following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Thus, the absolute foundation of South Korea’s economic prosperity has been security stability rooted in a firm liberal democratic system and a strong U.S.-South Korea alliance.
However, a massive power cartel—exploiting vulnerabilities in domestic and international rule-of-law systems—has shaken the very foundations of the constitutional order by forcing the incumbent president to face legal proceedings. It is also deepening internal divisions by unleashing a barrage of radical fiscal policies that threaten the continuity of the system. For example, populist policies that indiscriminately distribute cash-equivalent assets have exacerbated inflationary pressures, while excessive real estate lending restrictions targeting domestic residents—combined with supply imbalances—have actually caused an abnormal surge in asset prices. Underlying this are structural contradictions: the state budget infrastructure has been skewed toward a regional currency circulation system, and loopholes in the domestic corporate system have been exploited, allowing foreign capital to easily acquire key domestic real estate. In this context, the U.S.’s high-intensity tariff policy—which deals a direct blow to the South Korean economy, heavily dependent on exports to the United States—is nothing short of a torrential downpour. I believe this is less a matter of unilateral trade barriers and more the harsh price of international politics for undermining the principles of economic reciprocity and security trust within the free world.
Furthermore, amid a grave international situation in which the computer network infrastructure of a specific local government in Korea has been identified as one of the sources of cybersecurity and election system hacking allegations that surfaced during the recent U.S. presidential election, Korean society has been unable to offer a clear explanation to its global allies. Compounding this, as diplomatic and security experts continue to offer scathing analyses and revelations regarding the past conduct and moral failings of prominent domestic politicians, South Korea’s international credibility and moral legitimacy have been put to a severe test. If we lose sight of the perspective of traditional security partnerships, catastrophic scenarios—such as the withdrawal of U.S. forces from South Korea or the weakening of the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty—are by no means impossible.
What is regrettable is that, even as concerns over radioactive material leaks from North Korea materialize, countless law-abiding citizens suffer from sudden real estate regulations, and teenagers are left defenseless against harmful environments due to biased cultural policies, the majority of the public remains strangely indifferent. If the U.S. tariff bomb becomes a reality, small and medium-sized enterprises on the export front will have no choice but to undertake large-scale layoffs to survive, and it is self-evident that indiscriminate issuance of government bonds will deepen the decline in the value of the won and exacerbate asset bubbles, thereby widening the wealth gap to extreme levels. Nevertheless, I am deeply concerned about the spiritual and intellectual stagnation of the older generation (those in their 40s and 50s), who remain oblivious to this grave reality and are complacent in their entrenched privileges. Even the church community, which should be preventing societal corruption, hesitates to proclaim the truth while catering to secular pressures; as a result, more believers are leaving the church and experiencing the pain of division than even during the pandemic. However, I believe that true hope lies with the awakened younger generation (in their 20s and 30s), who refuse to succumb to complacency and discern the times with clear-eyed discernment. The innovative startups and new business paradigms they create will once again usher in the dawn of “South Korea 2.0” upon the crumbling foundations of the past. For even amid the crisis of sinking beneath economic waves, there will surely be those who, gazing upon the bronze serpent of salvation presented by the Ruler of History, will build an alternative path forward.
Suddenly awakened by the sound of heavy rain pounding against the window at dawn, I prayed fervently for President Yoon Suk-yeol, who continues his solitary struggle. And as I meditated on how to prepare for the coming economic deluge facing South Korea, the clear message given to my heart was to meticulously and firmly build the “Ark of Business.” I seek to learn from the foresight of those who, during the IMF foreign exchange crisis—when the financial system collapsed and a wave of bankruptcies ensued—looked to the future and invested in safe assets, as well as from the wise individuals who accurately read the trends in global technology and digital assets during the pandemic and used that insight to make a leap forward. In solidarity with the 3.5% of patriotic citizens who have not lost the sacred saltiness of Korean society in the face of massive forces’ attempts to subvert the system, I resolve to faithfully live out the daily moments I must bear—just as President Trump and President Yoon Suk-yeol are silently enduring the turbulent times of history assigned to them. Today, too, I rise at dawn, arm myself with prayer, and write a blog post to awaken the world, vigorously beginning a day full of hope amidst the sound of heavy rain.
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