The world of spirits and visions may appear to be antiquated relics of the past. Yet, in the face of a global economic crisis, an air of uncertainty and palpable fear has settled over the nation as it takes its first strides into 2009.
With a new president at the helm of an economically distraught superpower and a North Korean leader whose state of health has become a subject of intense interest, the predictions of a respected soothsayer are not unwelcome.
In fact, shortly after New Year`s celebrations ended, two Korean newspapers and one news agency published the forecasts of prominent predictor Cha Kil-jin.
Having developed a reputation as someone who has visions of the future and sees spirits, the 61-year-old head of Hooam Future Institute - a research group dedicated to exploring the invisible world and to unearthing Korean traditional culture - gave The Korea Herald a glimpse into the near future.
Sitting in a hotel cafe, Cha exuded an air of relaxed confidence as he doled out his predictions.
"North Korea, a master at the tactics of brinkmanship, will undergo upheavals triggered not by external factors but by an internal collapse," he stated. "In 2009, a stepping stone that may lead to unification will appear."
According to Cha, "two big stars will fall" in 2009. By two stars, he means two influential leaders. Though Cha did not reveal who those two stars are, one potential interpretation would include North Korea`s leader Kim Jong-il.
In regards to North Korea, Cha stated that "an event will occur that will serve as both a crisis for our nation and as an opportunity for unification."
Hooam Future Institute head Cha - who also owns a professional Korean baseball team and is the president of a Buddhist newspaper - stressed the speedy nature of the internet and the role it played in the global economic crisis.
"This economic crisis can be perceived as the bursting of a huge financial bubble," he said. "The financial sector grew out of proportion and was not matched by a corresponding growth of the real sector, which was, in part, due to digital financing.
"The internet`s trait is rapidity," Cha continued. "The world`s economy has gotten worse rapidly. However, if quick countermeasures are carried out successfully, the speed at which the economy recovers will exceed expectations."
When asked what Korea should do, he responded: "In order to revitalize the domestic market, first, the public`s perception of the wealthy and of money needs to change.
"The well-to-do need to open their wallets," he said. "At the same time, people need to create a situation that encourages them to open their wallets ... One cannot accuse the wealthy of abuse of power or of graft and drive them into a corner without rhyme or reason."
Cha also predicted that there would be a shift in power away from the Atlantic Ocean and towards the Pacific Ocean.
"Destiny is destiny because it moves like the seasons," said Cha. "The Atlantic powers, represented by Great Britain and America, are giving way to the Pacific powers."
"In the approaching age of the Pacific, Asia will rise as an alternate power to America," he stated, hinting that China would play a central role.
Cha, however, also stated that China has a weakness.
"It is division," he said. "As Chinese history shows, the Chinese continent has undergone a continual cycle of unification and division. And periods of unity were short in comparison to periods of division.
"Right now, China suffers from an illness brought on by diversity and secessionist moves."
Cha then provided a strategic approach for Korea: "Instead of relying on a one-sided America-centric foreign policy, Korea needs to assess the world`s balance of power with China at the center. Instead of focusing on a grand cause behind one`s moves, national interests and survival need to come first."
Cha cited an event from the 17th century Joseon Dynasty as a historical lesson to learn from, referring to the period when China underwent a dynastic transition from the Ming to the Qing Dynasty.
"The Joseon Dynasty made the tactical error of siding with the Ming Dynasty, which led to two invasions of Korea by the Qing."
Cha also explained his views on inter-Korean relations.
"Exchanges between the two Koreas will greatly expand in the near future," he said, drawing attention to a territorial triangle formed by the Ganghwa Island and the Yeongjong Island of South Korea and by Gaeseong of North Korea.
"This triangle will become the center of economic cooperation between the two Koreas," Cha said. "Goods produced in the Gaeseong industrial park can be transported through Incheon International Airport. Because of its proximity to Incheon and because it is located between Gaeseong and Yeongjong, Ganghwa Island will be the center of the triangle."
Located in the estuary of the Han River, Ganghwa Island has often played a strategic role in historic events, and, according to Cha, it will play a key role in a unified Korea.
"Under the earth of Ganghwa Island, the three combined waters of the Imjin River, the Han River and the Yeseong River are transported, and the mineral deposits brewed by the Pacific Ocean`s large tides breathe underground," he elaborated.
"This mineral possesses a value that cannot be exchanged for money. Just as ginseng became a source of national wealth for the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, this gift of nature, this mineral, will, without a doubt, become a base for this country`s approaching second founding."
Naturally, everyone will have to wait to see if Cha`s predictions come true. In the meantime, one can only hope that should "two large stars" fall and an event involving North Korea unfold, that South Korea will be able to cope with it in a prudent manner.
By Jean Oh
(oh_jean@heraldm.com)
[출처 : 코리아헤럴드]
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