Ahead of Liberation Day on August 15, a new atmosphere unlike anything seen before is sweeping across South Korea. Banners lining the streets continue to serve as a silent protest demanding transparency and fairness in electoral governance, and the voices of the younger generation filling the plazas every weekend are growing louder. Amid the recent rapid changes in the global trade environment, subtle differences in perspective among governments regarding U.S.-Korea tariff negotiations, and growing concerns over macroeconomic policies that restrict the autonomy of the market economy, many citizens worried about the nation’s future are becoming intellectually awakened. Amid a crisis where the constitutional order and the legitimacy of the system are being challenged—and while the majority of mainstream society and corporations remain silent—the number of Christians kneeling every dawn to pray for the nation and its people is growing in the church I serve. The fact that the flame of worship—where citizens voluntarily gather every week under the Saetgang Bridge in Yeouido, Seoul, to sing hymns to heaven—remains unquenched is also evidence of God’s fragile hope for this land.
This spiritual awakening is not limited to South Korea alone. Upon hearing through CBN News that countless souls in Iran—a land that had been under the darkest spiritual oppression on earth—are now experiencing dramatic restoration and conversion, I have been reaffirmed in my conviction of God’s sovereign plan, which moves the mighty currents of history. The cracks in the authoritarian power structure that once bound the Middle East, the spontaneous resistance movements of local citizens yearning for freedom, and the shifts in the security landscape resulting from the international community’s strategic intervention are signs of a spiritual transformation that transcends mere political events. Even amid the chaos of the world, the life-giving power of the Gospel flows unceasingly, and God is constantly preparing new wineskins to hold the new wine. A new generation—one that has broken free from outdated mindsets and is armed with biblical values and a holy vision—is rising up everywhere.
During this Liberation Day holiday, I attended a parents’ retreat at Handong Global University. The place was filled with the prayers of parents—like the Gideonite warriors of our time—who had gathered to rebuild the fallen walls. Over the course of two days and one night, the Word, praise, and tearful prayers that resonated fervently in Hyoam Hall Chapel were no less passionate than the hearts of the citizens who, at the same time, were continuing their patriotic march at Gwanghwamun Square to defend the values of liberal democracy and human rights. I was deeply moved as I reflected on the history of the wilderness that Handong University—which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year—has traversed and the miracles that occurred along the way. The vivid testimonies of Mrs. Kim Young-ae, the spiritual companion of the late President Kim Young-gil, along with former and current presidents and the guest pastors, demonstrated where the spirit of Handong truly originates. In particular, upon learning the historical fact that Ambassador Morse Tan—who once led an international election monitoring team and championed the value of safeguarding electoral fairness on the global stage—was Handong University’s first professor of law, I realized that this entire journey was by no means a coincidence but rather God’s intricate providence.
Meanwhile, the book I recently read, *Faces in the Courtroom*, gave me much food for thought through its depiction of courtroom scenes and the diverse array of people within them, as seen through a judge’s eyes. Although the judge confronts the darkest aspects of our society—such as child abuse and suicide—the poignant narratives, shaped by his gentle humanity and keen observational skills, have resonated deeply with the public through the media. However, I was also forced to confront the limitations of such a value system that arises when a courtroom is run relying solely on human notions of justice and vague compassion, without the absolute standard of the fear of God. This is because if one aligns one’s standards not with absolute values but with the prevailing trends of the times, public sentiment, or changes in certain precedents, there is a risk of ultimately rendering judgments that sway with the world’s fickle standards. Reading confessions in the book about being deeply moved by works featuring specific historical figures or ideological trajectories led me to reflect deeply on the true nature hidden behind the facade of what modern society calls “political correctness,” and on just how difficult it is to discern the humanistic compromises that have seeped into certain sectors of the church.
In the face of countless anti-national historical perspectives that distort the roots of history and seek to undermine the legitimacy of our nation’s founding, I wish to fully convey to the next generation the truth that the great beginnings of the Republic of Korea are firmly grounded in Christian values and faith. With this hope in mind, I recently gladly provided financial support for a Christian youth camp for ethnic Korean students in China, and I sent my son—a student at Handong University, a Christian institution—as a volunteer to serve the seeds of faith in that land. Furthermore, as we learn about the marvelous science of creation—such as the phenomenon of “sonoluminescence,” where sound waves emit light underwater—we come to acknowledge the hand of the Designer that exists beyond the grand cosmological hypotheses constructed by human beings. Coincidentally, the theme of our church’s summer Bible school this year was “Magnified”—which encourages us to view God’s created world on a grander scale and praise His greatness—and it was a truly blessed time spent learning about the Creator’s craftsmanship alongside the children. Recently, I began serving as a business consultant for a startup specializing in water treatment technology that dramatically improves the productivity of eco-friendly agriculture. I felt convinced that this technology, which revitalizes barren land, also beautifully aligns with the theme of this Bible school—restoring God’s order of creation. I praise God, who broadens my horizons and transforms my workplace and daily life into a mission field at every moment. Today, too, I hold that faithful trust close to my heart, rising at dawn to write and start the day with vigor.
Isaiah 58:12
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
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