“Now I’m joining a task force with various experts in the reunification sector. I’m as worn out as a burnt wooden stick. But we must bring about peaceful reunification of our fatherland. We are one family with North Korea. We must never be indifferent.”
The Network was initiated back in May 2014 when Rev. Im suggested organizing a control tower to prepare for peaceful reunification. Im contacted various experts in reunification as he traveled among the Americas, Europe, and Korea. That effort was halted in January 2015, when he was detained. In Toronto, Canada, after his release last August, he proposed creating a specific organization, and that led to the inaugural gathering (photo below) on this day.
The Network is planning a varied peaceful reunification movement that will include seminars, concerts, and worship services in churches around the globe. Being planned for later this year are a forum in Europe, a vision trip to Reformation birthplaces in four countries, and an August 15 National Liberation Day commemoration rally in Washington, DC.
Rev. Im said that the upcoming South-North and U.S.-North Korea summits are a God-given opportunity to advance reunification of the Korean peninsula.
He commented, “There have been occasional Korean church gatherings on reunification, but networking among experts has been weak… Sadly, one problem is that some people love money and titles. The reunification movement has to be done with serving hearts. We may take pride in the glory of the Cross, but the main character in the reunification movement has to be Jesus Christ.”
Reporter Yeong Dae Yoo (ydyoo@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Photo by intern reporter Shin Hyeon Ga
Full Story in Korean:
“타다 남은 막대기처럼 지쳤지만 北 선교 못 놓아”: ‘통일전문가 연합네트워크’로 北서 석방 후 활동 재개하는 임현수 목사
Related Articles:
1. “Let’s merge our unification mission strategies”: 1st Peace Corea Unification Colloquium
2. Rev. Im Hyeon-soo Released By North Korea After Nearly Three Years’ Detention
