wfn.org | Korean Presbyterian leaders decry Bush missile plan, urge prayers

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Note #6729 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

for peace
29-June-2001
01217

Korean Presbyterian leaders decry Bush missile plan, urge prayers for peace

Church leaders appeal to General Assembly for support

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The moderators of the two largest Presbyterian
denominations in Korea appealed to the 213th General Assembly here June 15
to pray for peace and reunification in Korea.

	The two leaders - the Rev. Park Chung Sik, moderator of the Presbyterian
Church in Korea, and the Rev. Kim Kyong Sik of the Presbyterian Church in
the Republic of Korea - also criticized President George W. Bush’s proposed
Missile Defense System as counter-productive to peace on the Korean
peninsula.

	The full text of the Korean Presbyterian leaders' remarks to the Assembly:

"The month of June is a time of remembrance for the people of Korea. A time
when we remember the pain, suffering, chaos and destruction during the
Korean War in 1950. The loved ones, young and old, women and men, who fell
under the rain of bullets, bombs, artillery shells and slogans of hate.

"And yet, the month of June in 2001 is a time when we remember something
much more hopeful and splendid. We remember the dramatic event of the
meeting between the two top leaders of North and South Korea this past June,
which began a dialogue of peace and reconciliation.

"We, the representatives of the Presbyterian Church in Korea and the
Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, stand before you today to
pronounce an end to the legacy of hatred and division in both our churches
and our nation. We stand before you 'remembering' our past failures, and
urge you to 'remember' us, the unfortunate devastation wrought upon the
people and land of Korea as a result of hatred and malicious distrust.

"We are mindful of the painful reality that we live in a divided country and
seek for peace and security. We believe the Missile Defense Program which is
being actively pursued by the current Bush administration is an affront to
all peace-loving people. It is creating a negative image with fear in the
minds of people in Northeast Asia.

"We are making an appeal to you, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the
United States of America to understand and support us in our efforts for
peace, stability, reconciliation and healing of a wounded nation and land.

"The Church and people of Korea denounce the official statements as issued
by the Bush administration, using terminology reminiscent of the Cold War
era, which directly contradict the current atmosphere of peace and
reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.

"The church and people of Korea regard the Missile Defense Program currently
being pursued by the United States government, and which is being 'marketed'
by them, as a direct threat to the peace and stability of the Korean
Peninsula, Northeast Asia, and the entire world. As such, we call for an
immediate abandonment of the program.

"The Church and people of Korea realize our solemn responsibility to
expeditiously restore the conciliar process in regards to peace and
reunification, and ask you to stand in solidarity with us against all forces
which seek to extend the current state of division and strife in the Korean
Peninsula.

"The Church and people of Korea are of one mind in believing that peace and
stability, healing and reconciliation of our nation is not merely a
'strategic or political interest." It is a fundamental and decisive factor -
the very issue of 'life or death' for the Korean people and our heritage.
Thus, we refuse to stand idly by as the powers that be in global politics
whimsically and flippantly cast detrimental remarks of aggravation, seeking
to escalate unnecessary tension between countries and regions, and pursuing
an unwarranted armament, not only of the land which we inhabit today, but
also the space above it with weapons of mass destruction.

"Therefore, the Church and people of Korea make this appeal to all Christian
people in the world and people of good will, to join with us in earnest
prayer. Prayer which seeks the face of God, asking God’s wisdom in the hope
that God transforms our lives from anger to love, from destruction to
construction. We further appeal to you to join in our effort to bring about
peace and harmony, healing and reconciliation, not only to our land and
people, but to all those who still suffer from the wounds of hatred and
division."

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