Between Chosenness and Solidarity: Christian Zionism and Solidarity with Palestine in South Korea

Despite the absence of a historical presence of a Jewish population in Korea, support for Israel among right-wing Korean evangelicals has escalated into a nationalist and imperialist initiative. This theo-political phenomenon is rooted in American missionary influence, Cold War anti-communism, and militarized Korean nation-building, and is intricately linked to U.S. empire-building. Through Emilie Townes’ concept of “fantastic hegemonic imagination,” this article critically examines Korean Christian Zionism, as manifested in its metanarrative of “chosen peoples nationalism.” This ideology fantastically frames South Korea, Israel, and the United States as God's elected nations for the divine end-time plan. By examining the contemporary Korean civil society and the church's solidarity with Palestine, the article also illuminates ordinary Koreans’ efforts to stand with globally disenfranchised people against imperialism.