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CORPORATE IDENTITY OF KOREA
by: Pieter Bos
date: 11/1/2001
Category: Nations
The Corporate Identity of KOREA: CARING SISTER.
(Also: friendly caretaker, beautiful serving woman.)
The theology for this understanding can be found in chapter 3 of my book "The City Called; Theology of the city and her Redemption."
Definition:
Persons, including corporate persons like tribes, peoples, states and cities, are created in the image of God. ‘The CORPORATE IDENTITY of a corporate person is
a. the expression of God's character in that person, because of which it contains
b. her destiny in God and
c. her redemptive gift to her fellow peoples.
Through the fall and the effects thereof, this (corporate) identity has been distorted and corrupted".
or
The Corporate Identity (CI) of a nation is the creative and liberating truth of God over a nation.
Both "Caring" and "Sister" express the feminine aspect of the Korean CI. "Sister" also expresses the togetherness which is so highly esteemed by Koreans. "Caring" is a deeply rooted attitude in the Koreans.
In the almost 5000 year history of Korea the nation was invaded 990 times from the north (China, Mongolia and the Soviet Union) and from the south (Japan), caused deep wounds and a sense of rejection and inferiority on Koreans, as it was such an explicit abuse of their CI. But the joyful and caring attitude has not been extinguished.
For sensitive and responsive persons as Koreans are destined to be, the impact of Confucianism and Buddhism, in which feelings are suppressed, was deeply distorting for Korea.
The "jung", a bond of deep, persevering love; it may pervert into cliquishness.
Korea is called: "the country of the white clothes" conveying the peace loving attitude and purity.
Passionate, geared towards unity and togetherness.
Joyful, even under the sadness of century long invasions
Care for parents and foreigners; the traditional guest room in each house, for a guest that might come and stay as long as he wants, and at leaving is given some money.
The many blessings songs, with which the Korean traditionally bless, especially at the New Year and Harvest feasts.
Koreans do enjoy music and dance; they have a long tradition in both, also in their folk-rituals. Emotions are expressed in dance, painting and through musical instruments, but the higher circles are more reserved.
God’s character:
God is (masculine and) feminine, as women are created in his image. Also in Isa 49:15 God is presented as a caring mother. Care is very much part of God’s character, his faithfulness and his covenant relationship express this clearly. Jesus taught us and modeled to be caring (brothers and) sisters.
Positive expression in the church
Desire to work together and make something beautiful for the Lord. A highly responsive church; ready to go abroad and spread the gospel in a caring way. Dedicated and gentle pastors and missionaries, who feels responsible to care. Prayerful, non-confrontational spiritual leaders.
Negative expression in the church
The persevering love causes the divisions in the church to be very sharp.
Positive expression in society:
The labor union structure reflects care, even a family atmosphere. Dedication to the firm where you work is normal. Koreans tend to be submissive
Negative expression in society:
Allowing the perpetuate invasions to nurture the lie of being inferior. The allowing the pain of being overruled rule; victim mentality.
The pride of being non-aggressive.
The fear of being imperfect (in speaking another language), leading to withdrawal.
In the workplace the dedication is sometimes forced and abused.
Being cut of from her creational character, from her corporate identity, her submissiveness allowed a harsh, hierarchical way of ruling to develop.
Together: the most typical distortion of "Caring Sister" internally may well be controlling mother; the most typical distortion of "Caring Sister" to the outside world may well be prideful withdrawing victim.
The discussion and prayer that led to the discovery of "Caring Sister" as the CI of Korea, made some Koreans weep "in a liberating way." Several others felt to confess of their pride and their holding on to hatred of the Japanese.
Prophecy:
"You are a desert flower, now the seed has come up. Do not wonder how you can survive in the desert, I am your God."
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