Divine Principle suggests that the Korean War of 1950-53 was an event of special providential significance. North Korea attacked the unsuspecting South in June 1950. The South Koreans fought back, assisted by sixteen nations of the United Nations.

In this first major confrontation between communism and democracy, nations not concerned with the immediate issue thus participated in a conflict against a satanic, godless regime. In the eyes of God, such an event can have no small significance. Indeed, in light of Divine Principle, one may say that in a moment of crisis the world came to the aid of a stricken instrument of God. Remarkably enough, such an action on the part of sixteen UN member nations could only be sanctioned by that body because of the deliberate absence of the Soviet delegate in the Security Council, making the USSR's veto impossible.

Divine Principle advances a third reason for the chosen role of Korea. Ever since the fall of man, God has grieved over His broken creation. He has not been relieved from His grief, nor has He rested from His unceasing labor of restoration. As long as mankind rebels, His grief and suffering will persist.

Because of humankind's continual rebellion, the servants of God historically have been persecuted and have suffered with Him. Until God rests, His servants cannot rest. Parallel to the suffering of God, then, the chosen people are destined to go through a course of suffering themselves.

Korea is a nation which, like ancient Israel, has been tried through unmerited persecution and foreign oppression, most recently by Japan. For forty years, from 1905 to 1945, Japanese imperialists oppressed and persecuted the people they had subjugated. Koreans were deprived of their freedom, and countless numbers were jailed and slaughtered.

Christians, who by and large refused to pledge their loyalty to the Japanese emperor, were particularly persecuted. It was part of a price to be paid for Korea's modern role. In the Last Days, the turmoil within this nation is likely to become even more intense. Through such events the Korean people will continue to pay a necessary price for their crucial task in the New Age.

Although Korea has been warred against many times, let us note that the reverse has not happened. Since the chosen nation is to serve as a kingdom of priests, it should be innocent of aggression throughout its history. In fact, this is the case with Korea: it has never initiated an attack itself.

Fourth, beyond the indemnity Korea has paid, it has special and unique spiritual traditions which help qualify it as the central object of God's concern. For example, just as the Israelites knew through the prophets that the Messiah was to come to save the, so also have the Korean people believed for centuries that one day a king of righteousness would come to Korea. This strong messianic expectation is largely a result of a Korean book of prophecy written over five hundred years ago.

In addition, the Korean people are known for possessing inner qualities which we must say could serve them well in their role as a chosen people. The unique history of this homogenous people has strengthened their character and deepened their faith. On the basis of this heart, Christianity was received beginning in the eighteenth century. In the view of Divine Principle, when God sent Christianity to Korea, He made His final preparation for the Lord of the Second Coming.

Despite all these understandings, the assertion that Korea is the new chosen nation of God will nevertheless strike many as quite surprising. However, let us recall that the God of history has often acted in surprising ways. Who would have expected, for example, that a shepherd boy named David would be called by God to be a king of Israel -- and perhaps the greatest one at that?

In the same vein, how likely would it have seemed that the son of a humble carpenter, rather than a high priest or distinguished rabbi, would be called by God as the long-awaited Messiah? With such precedents as these, it becomes clear that we cannot expect the Lord to be guided by conventional human anticipation and norms. It seems the requirement placed on us, rather, is to be continually open to new possibilities.

In any event, let us keep the role of the chosen nation in perspective. All people are God's children and all are loved by Him. The purpose of God's choosing a nation is thus not to exalt it over the world, but rather to use it to serve the world. "Whoever would be great among you must be your servant," says Jesus, "and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all" (Mk 10:43-44).

With such a principle being the guiding ethic of one's anointment, the task of a chosen people is, at least initially, neither glorious nor easy. Theirs is the sacrificial role of a servant nation.

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