wfn.org | WCC UPDATE: Korean president on WCC contribution to democracy

["WCC Media" <Media@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches - Update
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org 
For immediate release - 24/08/2004

PRESIDENT RECOGNIZES "FUNDAMENTAL ASSISTANCE" OF WCC TO KOREAN DEMOCRACY

			      Free photos available, see below.

South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun has expressed his strong appreciation
of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the ecumenical movement for its
"fundamental assistance" in support of human rights and democratization in
his country. He has also welcomed the contribution of the churches to
promoting a peaceful reunification of divided Korea.

Receiving the members of WCC executive committee and Korean church leaders
in Seoul on 24 August, the president stated his warm personal appreciation
for the role of the WCC and of the National Council of Churches (NCCK) in
encouraging democracy and raising awareness of justice and human rights
issues in Korea.

The president, who worked as a human rights lawyer defending pro-democracy
and labour rights activists before taking up political office, was involved
in the NCCK human rights programme. The contact with NCCK and the churches
"opened my eyes to human rights and justice issues", he stated.

The WCC, together with the NCCK, actively supported the nascent human
rights movement in Korea during the 1970s and 1980s during the period of
the military dictatorship.

In talks with the president and with representatives of the Korean Ministry
of Unification, the WCC leaders underlined the continued engagement of the
churches and ecumenical movement in fostering a peaceful reunification of
Korea. South and North Korea have been separated since the Korean war ended
in 1954.

WCC moderator Catholicos Aram I underscored how the Christian understanding
of reconciliation was closely linked to unification and the overcoming of
division. "We are called by God in Jesus Christ to strive for
reconciliation and unity in all its forms. WCC is committed to working with
all people of goodwill to overcome the barriers which divide our
societies", he said.

The commitment of WCC to the reunification of Korea was echoed by WCC
general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia.  "WCC stands for de-nuclearisation
and disarmament in the Korean peninsula based on a negotiated agreement by
all parties as a foundation of peace, and will continue to promote a policy
of dialogue and exchange", he said.

During an exchange with executive committee members, president Roh Moo-hyun
also expressed his support for the invitation of the Korean churches and of
NCCK to host a future WCC assembly in Korea. The WCC general secretary
thanked the president and said that the "WCC hopes and prays that an
assembly would be possible in a united Korea in the near future".

The WCC executive committee will issue a statement on Korea at the end of
the week thath will express its serious concern about the human rights and
humanitarian situation in North Korea, and will outline ongoing ecumenical
efforts for the peaceful reunification of the divided country.

The WCC executive committee is meeting in Seoul 24-27 August on the
invitation of NCCK and the Korean churches.

A press conference with the WCC moderator and general secretary will be
held at the end of the executive committee meeeting on Friday 27 August at
2pm at:
    Seoul Olympic Parktel
    88-8, Bangyi-Dong, Songpa-Gu, Seoul
    Tel: +82-2-421 2111

Media contacts:
Ms Jung Hae-Sun, +82-2-745-4943, +82-16-396-2876 (mobile), jhs@kncc.or.kr 
Mr Alexander Belopopsky, +82-11-965-97064 (local mobile) or +41-79-455-9080
(mobile), media@wcc-coe.org 

Photos of the WCC visit to Korea are available at:
http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/press_corner/exco2004.html 

See also WCC News release of 16 August 2004:
WCC executive committee to meet for first time in Korea; general secretary
to visit Korean churches
http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pr-04-35.html 

National Council of Churches in Korea
http://www.kncc.or.kr 

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153  +41 79 507 6363
	 media@wcc-coe.org 

 The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in
 more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
 traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works
 cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly,
 which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally
 inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
 general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.