This study is an attempt to create a possibility to have a dialogue between Christianity and the juche idea. Due to the strong anti- cornmUIÚsm in the South Korean Church, it has been very difficult to initiate dialogue between them. The juche idea is the ruling ideology of North Korea，and plays the role of a substitute religion. It dominates everything, induding politics, economy, milit따y， culture, social life and individual life. In order to understand North Korea its sociery and its people，it is necessary to know what the juche idea is. It may help to prepare for reunification of Korea and the post reunification period. For an effective mission in North Korea, it is worthy to analyze the juche idea ideologically and theologically. Christianity and the juche idea have different worldviews and methodologies: while Christianiry has a theocentric view, the juche idea has an anthropocentric idea. Christianity， particularly Reformed theology, has a GocI-centered view of histoty, whereas the juche idea has a human-centered understanding of it. Reformed theology believes in God's revelation and providence, but the juche idea pursues revolutionaty praaice for liberation. Although there are differences and disagreements berween Christianity and the jttche idea, we can discover similarities berween the juche idea and minjung theology. The juche idea differs from Reformed theology, but is closer to minjung theology. Both the juche idea and minjung theology affirm that human beings are the subjecrs of histoty, and emphasize the struggle for liberation from oppression and explotiation.

• 조은식(장로회신학대학교 초빙교수 / 선교신학) | Eunsik Oto