I mean no disrespect of another human being in relating the things I have discovered in my research. My motive is informative and meant to have people praying.

In 1980, Kim Il-Sung announces his successor. By the mid-80's Jong-Il is placed in day-to-day charge of the Party, the government, and the military.

It is difficult at first for the people to promote the son. Dad has been a warrior, an obvious descendant of the "mighty" men who formed the backbone of Korean history. He has been a hero in a time when Korea needs one. Pushed around by the world's monster-powers he has been the dragon-killer.

But the son? Martin says that since they cannot cast him in a military mold, they create a genius. The be-all know-all head of state who will appear god-like in his infinite wisdom. Dad even gets behind this promotion, a stretch if there ever was one. Inventiveness even creates a new birthplace for the younger Kim, atop Korea's Mt. Baektu, a location already holy to the legend-minded nationals.

During this period, all the old Communist alliances with NK are being broken. Old friends form relationships with rising star South Korea. In response, the North begins to resort to terror. In 1983 the infamous Rangoon assassination attempt on the South's President, a bomb that kills 21, including Korean officials in Burma. In 1987 the destroying of a domestic Korean Airlines flight, killing 115 people. The government is once again getting attention.

In 1988 the Seoul Olympics galls North Korea's leadership, so they have their own version, paid for by allowing the nation to stay in its billions of dollars in debt. Unfortunately for the leaders, this episode occurs shortly after the Tienemen Square massacre when Asian Communist countries are having trouble "saving face".

1989. In yet more desperate attempts for world attention, the government builds the first Protestant and Catholic churches in Pyongyang in decades. Of course they are just show, but they are intended to signal a new era of freedom in North Korea. Right. Closer to the Leader's heart is the introducing of Rock and other Western music.

As the young successor year after year spends many of the nation's resources, disaster strikes, and the nation is not able to fight back. When our history continues, we discuss one of the worst famines in earth's history.

So that Korea's future is not as bleak as its history, let us continue to pray that Jesus Christ will be offered a chance to show what He is able to do when people call on His Name.