The National Council of Churches in Korea (Rev. Kim Young-ju, general secretary) held a forum on the national situation, titled “Candlelight and Democracy,” on December 15 at the Franciscan Education Center on Jeongdong-gil in Jung-gu, Seoul. The participants were of one accord in censuring the corruption of the present government, applauding the fruits of the candlelight gatherings, and asserting the need for continuous efforts to restore the citizens’ sovereignty.
Prof. Han Hong-gu of Sungkonghoe University said, “Just as they did in 2002 after the Hyo-soon and Mi-soon incident (when two middle school girls were crushed by a U.S. military vehicle), and in 2008 when the people’s anger surged against ‘mad cow’ (imported beef), our citizens have held up lighted candles each time democracy has faced difficulty…With the arrival of crisis again this year, the citizens are standing in the city plazas demanding restoration of democracy and the overcoming of structural contradictions in society.” He declared, “The citizens of this country, holding lighted candles, are the real power to restore South Korea. They should not put out the candles, but keep shining their lights until our impoverished history and life are resurrected.”
Lawyer Kang Mun-dae of Lawyers for a Democratic Society said, “The candlelight gatherings this time have led the National Assembly to vote for impeachment of the president, and have confirmed that the citizens are the center of national power…Now what remains is to monitor and press the Constitutional Court to uphold the impeachment vote, and to plan concretely how to make the president resign even earlier.”
Reporter Lee Saya (Isaiah@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Original Article in Korean:
NCCK, ‘촛불과 민주주의’ 주제 시국 포럼
NCCK “Candlelight and Democracy” Forum on National Situation
2016-12-16 17:37
