From June 17 to 19 the South Korean and North Korean churches met in Bossey, Switzerland, along with 54 participants representing 34 churches and related organizations from 15 countries, for the International Consultation on Justice, Peace and Reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC). This Bossey Consultation was convened on the 30th anniversary of the Tozanso Consultation held in 1984 in Japan, also organized by WCC. From South Korea, NCCK General Secretary Kim Young-ju, Korea YMCA Board Chair Ahn Jae-woong, and the first South Korean ambassador to the UN Human Rights Commission Park Kyung-suh joined the meeting with Kang Myeong-cheol, Chair of the Central Committee of the Joseon Christian Federation (Korean Christian Federation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), together with JCF Vice Chair Elder Lee Jeong-ro, Pastor Kim Hyeon-cheol, and Choi Gil-hyeon.
The Bossey Consultation marks the first time for JCF Chair Kang to appear officially at an international event, following his inauguration in July last year.
With regard to the WCC Busan Assembly, held last October in South Korea, one participant said that Kang had commented, “Although we weren’t able to participate in the Assembly, we support wholeheartedly the ‘Statement on Peace and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula’ adopted at the meeting.” Another participant said, “Chairperson Kang looked confident, friendly, and reasonable. I’m looking forward to a good environment for South-North Korean church dialogue.”
Committee Chair Kang is a third-generation Christian and the eldest son of former JCK Central Committee Chair Rev. Kang Yeong-seob, a relative of Kim Il Sung.
Through a press release (Click here for full text), the consultation made several recommendations to WCC and its member churches, including to observe the Sunday before August 15 each year as the “Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula.”
Reporter Jaechan Park (jeep@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Click here for the original article in Korean
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South and North Korean Churches Meet in Bossey, Switzerland
2014-06-24 10:58
