THE KUKMIN DAILY

On August 15, Korea’s Liberation Day, joint prayers for peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula were held in Pyongyang Bongsu Church for the first time in two years and nine months. Co-organized by the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) and Joseon Christian Federation (JCF), 250 some Christians from churches in both South and North Korea participated in these joint prayers for the Korean people’s reconciliation, integration, and peaceful reunification. The most recent joint prayer service by South Korea and North Korea in Pyongyang was in November 2011.

In his welcoming message during the service, Rev. Kang Myeong Cheol, Chairperson of the JCF (third from left in front row, photo) said, “Although we haven’t been able to meet often, our hearts have been bound into one in the Lord… This joint gathering is significant in preparing an atmosphere for peace.” Rev. Kim Young Ju, General Secretary of the NCCK (fourth from left) said, “It is very meaningful that churches of South Korea and North Korea are joining in prayer for the Korean people’s harmony and peaceful reunification… True liberation will be complete when peaceful reunification of South and North takes place.” Kim also emphasized, “The churches of South Korea and North Korea should pledge their cooperation and solidarity to bring about the peaceful reunification of South and North.”

This prayer meeting took place according to the WCC’s recommendation to observe the Sunday before August 15 each year as the “Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula,” followed by the Statement of Peace and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula, which was adopted during the WCC Busan Assembly last year. Last June at a meeting held in Bossey, Switzerland, NCCK and JCF agreed to hold this year’s meeting in Pyongyang.

Reporter Jin Samyeol (samuel@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)


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