Korean apocalyptic discourse, October 1992: A speculative explanation

Abstract

In the summer and fall of 1992, several thousand South Koreans prepared for the end of the world. Their actions and discourse lie clearly within an ancient tradition of beliefs known as apocalyptic. The research on apocalyptic discourse to date identifies it as a way of thinking that is fundamental to Western culture. The question then arises. Why was this essentially Western idea so powerfully moving to so many Asians? That suggests the larger issue of inter‐cultural rhetoric itself: How do the ideas of one culture become accepted by another? This article offers a speculative explanation for the apocalyptic fervor of 1992. Three explanations are offered: 1) Christian influence in Korea, 2) a history of other religions in Korea with similar patterns of belief, and 3) similar belief patterns in Korean history generally. The article uses the incident to discuss two models of intercultural rhetoric: direct influence and formal influence. We argue that a formal influence model suggests some fruitful ways to s...