THE KUKMIN DAILY

In the continuing national turmoil over the Choi Sun-shil allegations, church denominations and ecumenical organizations have issued a succession of public statements on the current situation and have gathered for prayer rallies.

On November 7, the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK Hapdong; moderator Rev. Kim Seon-gyu, standing in photo) announced a statement on the national situation signed by its moderator, at its General Assembly Building in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The statement read, “The leadership of the highest national leader, which should represent the national hope, has become a heavy burden... The incident originated from Choi Tae-min, the leader of a pseudo religious group. The government should thoroughly investigate the past of Choi’s family and have them deal with the results of their wrongdoings, including by offering a public apology to Christian circles whose honor has been damaged.”

The statement also called for the church’s repentance. “The church must repent for its failure to lead as light and salt in the face of the loss of governing power by the president and the corruption that grew through secret connections. All our member churches and believers will pray wholeheartedly at this time of crisis of our nation and people.”

PCK Tonghap (moderator Rev. Lee Seung-hui) plans to hold a prayer rally on the national situation on November 14 at Yeondong Church in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea (PROK, moderator Rev. Gwon O-ryun) plans one on November 11 at Hyanglin Church in Jung-gu, Seoul. On December 8, the National Council of Churches in Korea will hold a large-scale prayer rally on the situation, following a series of smaller rallies on the regional level.

The public statement published by the National Clergy Conference for Justice and Peace (CCJP) quoted Amos 6:12: “Do horses run on rocks? Does one plow the sea with oxen? But the corrupt group has turned justice into poison… President Park must take responsibility for the entire situation and withdraw from her position. Investigation and punishment by the Prosecutor's Office must not favor anyone, so that this emergency situation of the Republic of Korea can be normalized.”

Reporters Lee Saya & Choi Ki-young (Isaiah@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok


Full Story in Korean:
‘부패한 무리가 공의를 뒤엎어’… 교계 시국선언·기도회 잇따라: “대통령 리더십, 희망 아닌 짐 돼… 최씨 일가 행적 면밀히 조사를” 예장합동 시국담화문 발표


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The President Herself Must Bear Responsibility! Declaration by NCCK Denomination Heads