THE KUKMIN DAILY

Prospects for the Christian Council of Korea (CCK) election of its executive director, scheduled for February 27, are becoming increasingly clouded.

Originally, the CCK election had been planned for January 30 at the general assembly, but was abruptly postponed earlier on that day when the Seoul Central District Court accepted the injunction petition submitted by Jeon Gwang-hun. The delegates appointed Rev. Kim Chang-su temporary executive director, decided to hold the election one month later, and closed the assembly.

Just two weeks before the election, however, a new situation developed. On February 14, seven former executive directors raised questions about the election, insisting, “The election cannot take place under Election Commission Chair Choi Seong-gyu.” They plan to petition the court for an injunction banning the election. (In photo, former CCK executive director Ji Deok speaks about problems in the CCK executive director election process at a press conference on February 14 at the Korean Christian Ecumenical Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul.)

The election commission is responsible for much of the trouble. While the commission strictly applied its regulations in Jeon’s case to prevent his candidacy, it recognized former executive director Eom Gi-ho’s old document, the recommendation letter submitted by his denomination, as valid, saying that “according to international commercial law, a document less than six months old is valid.”

A majority of the delegates had anticipated that the election commission chair would resign, taking responsibility for the troubled process. The temporary executive director, however, installed Rev. Choi again as the chair.

Jeon then, instead of trying again to become a candidate, charged that the election was unfair, and now plans to take the matter to court. Kim No-ah, another former candidate, has taken a similar position, saying, “Eom already failed as a valid candidate, and therefore is not eligible.” Under these circumstances, no matter who wins the election, another injunction petition will be inevitable.

Local churches are being challenged by attacks from heretical groups and anti-Christian sentiments these days. CCK, however, seems to be focused only who will become the next executive director.

The best solution at this point would be to install a new election commission chair through a fair process, although that may take time. It is also recommended to remove all potential lawsuits by applying the CCK articles of association and election regulations, to elect a representative who will respond properly in the Korean church’s public interest.

What will happen if CCK continues to be absorbed only in who will win the top position? CCK may face a situation where it will be pressed to justify its reason for existence.

Article and photo by reporter Paek Sang-hyun (100sh@kmib.co.kr)


Original Article in Korean:
[미션 톡！] 한기총, 반기독정서 팽배한데 자리다툼에만 몰두: 27일 대표회장 선거 앞둔 한기총


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