wfn.org | United Methodists meet with North Korean Christians

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Aug. 8, 2002        News media contact: Linda Bloom7(212) 870-38037New York
10-21-35-71B{352}

By United Methodist News Service 

Christians in North Korea are eager to strengthen ties with their U.S.
counterparts, according to United Methodists visiting there recently.

A seven-member delegation from the United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries, led by Bishop Joel Martinez of San Antonio, paid a July 22-30
visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The delegation's visit was co-hosted by the Korean Christian Federation,
representing about 12,000 North Korean Christians, and a government agency
whose name roughly translates as "Aiding Committee for Overseas Koreans." 

The Rev. Youngsook Kang, a Board of Global Ministries executive, said United
Methodists want to expand relations with North Korean Christians, affirming
the federation's role as a "primary mission partner." The church also wants
to investigate continuing needs for humanitarian assistance and consider how
to promote relations with the United States, she said.

A letter of agreement signed between the mission agency and Korean
federation confirms the partnership and advocates for a peaceful
reunification of North and South Korea, as well as a better relationship
between the U.S. government and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

For the North Koreans, improving country-to-country relations was a constant
refrain. "They were urgently requesting our support for advocating a closer
relationship between our two nations," Martinez explained. "We promised to
register that, both with our church and the State Department, in some
follow-up conversations."

The Rev. Paul Dirdak, chief executive of the United Methodist Committee on
Relief, explained that the North Koreans believe the U.S. policy toward
their country is an impediment to progress. He added that everyone the
delegation talked with brought up President Bush's categorization of North
Korea as being part of an "axis of evil." Church people in particular "were
personally offended" by those remarks, he noted.

"What is clear to us is they are looking for friends," Kang said.

She and other board staff believe "the historic moment for possible
reunification is more apparent than ever." For Kang, however, the need for
reunification hit home when the delegation visited the demilitarized zone
dividing the two nations and she saw a narrow road that, if open, would lead
directly to Seoul and her relatives, only two hours away.

"That's when I felt the tragedy of the division of Korea so personally," she
recalled. "It's just tragic that one country, with one people and one
language, is divided." 

Martinez believes that church-to-church contact is vital for the growth of
the North Korean church, especially in a country where the definition of
religious freedom is a bit different than in the West.

Only two church buildings remain in use in Pyongyang, North Korea's capital,
but on the positive side, "they do have a growing number of house churches
where people can gather for worship and sharing of Scripture and sharing of
their faith," the bishop said. The Korean Christian Federation also "serves
as a voice to the government regarding issues of the Christian church and
its efforts."

He expressed disappointment that children currently do not receive religious
training, but wanted to celebrate "the beginnings of Christian growth in
families and in the homes."

Kang explained that the Christian population in North Korea is aging because
many joined the faith before the division of Korea in 1948. Although there
is a seminary where new ministers can be ordained by a "respected pastor,"
the church is unable to evangelize in the general population.

Despite the limitations on freedom, delegation members were surprised by the
"beauty of the land" and admired "the talent and industriousness of the
people," according to Martinez.

Dirdak said he did not see signs of malnourishment in children that he
witnessed during an earlier trip, leading him to believe that North Korea's
widespread food shortages have eased. "Four years ago, we saw very direct
evidence of famine, and the (North Korean) regime was very public about
wanting assistance," he noted.

A shipment of 700 medicine boxes for the Korean Christian Federation
preceded the delegation. UMCOR has assisted in famine relief in North Korea
over the years and still plans to enlist church members in a "modest but
steady" contribution to hunger needs there, Dirdak said.

Other delegation members were Mary Baldridge, a board director from
Millersville, Md.; Gail Coulson and June Kim, board staff executives; and
the Rev. S. Michael Hahm, a board consultant.
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United Methodist News Service
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