Korean Presbyterian leaders decry Bush
missile plan, urge prayers for peace
Church leaders appeal to General Assembly for
support
by Jerry L. Van Marter, PNS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - 29-June-2001 - 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."
