"Juche [Kim's self-reliance philosophy] is a faint echo of Marxism." While rejecting parts of Communism, Kim did buy into the whole "class struggle" idea. People fight. Groups of people fight other groups of people. While Marx singled out the clash between "capitalists", people who have money, and "urban workers", who don't, Kim saw things, like neighbor Mao, in terms of landlords vs. peasants. But rather than lift these peasants into the revolutionary class, Kim believed that role should be assigned to soldiers and teachers (mostly soldiers, it turns out!).

Juche is human-centered and nationalistic, as opposed to Communism's universal emphasis. And while Marx and Engels saw mechanical forces governing the world, Kim focused on human conduct.

The goals of the two systems are likewise different. Communism seeks to overthrow the entire world order, replacing all vestiges of capitalism with socialism. The state must "wither away", and all classes with it. A truly equal society. (The dream has never been even closely realized in Communist nations, as there are always some who are "more equal" than others.)

Kim's view was state-centered. It is hierarchical, with clear divisions based on favor. Though he also believed in "collectivism" it was of a different flavor. In the original pattern, collectivism refers to equal sharing of goods. In North Korea, it is a shared effort to unite behind one leader. In essence, Korean collectivism becomes nothing more than the old dynasty mentality, a true monarchy. Titles have changed, but no one questions that Kim was and is king.

I cannot help coming back to a central theme in these blogs: The Kingship of Jesus Christ. I keep hearing it said that "Jesus is in control of North Korea, so don't worry." I think we all understand that ultimately the strings are pulled by a living God. He raises up whom he wills, and whom he wills to abase, he abases. God is in control only in that sense for now.

But when Jesus is truly the Lord of North Korea, every knee will bow to Him. Every tongue will confess that Christ is Lord on that day. When Jesus comes and sets up His Kingdom there will be no more concentration camps, though the Lord will govern with a strict justice. All will be free to worship the King Who will reign in Jerusalem. Godliness will flourish. There will be no more hunger, no need to leave the beauteous mountains for China or any other place.