THE KUKMIN DAILY

With the anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement approaching, Korean Christian ecumenical organizations published statements and called for an apology and reflection by Japan, which continues to distort history and is moving toward a return to militarism. The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK; General Secretary Rev. Kim Young-ju, right photo), together with the Joseon Christian Federation (JCF) of North Korea, announced a joint statement and requested the governments of South Korea and North Korea to proceed immediately with arrangements for reunions of divided families.

In its March 1st Statement dated February 26, the Christian Council of Korea (CCK; Executive Director Rev. Lee Young-hoon, left photo) said, “Japan should repent of its criminal military sex slavery system, which caused inhumane, brutal infringements of human rights… Japan has never spoken a single word of apology, but just kept silent except for its statements distorting history. Though it is very late, Japan should now apologize sincerely to the survivors and repent of its past wrongdoings.”

CCK noted that 16 of the 33 representatives of the March 1st Movement were Christians, saying, “To take on the mission of leading the Korean people, like the leaders at that time, we will do our best to restore spiritual leadership and be the first to share and serve others, through repentance, prayer, and spiritual movement.”

In its March 1st Message, the Communion of Churches in Korea (CCIK; Executive director Rev. Yang Byeong-hui, center photo) also requested, “Japan should immediately cease its false claims of ownership over Dokdo and its ambitious militarism threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula, and apologize sincerely for its inhumane crimes against the Korean people.” CCIK urged Japan specifically to stop the practice of official worship at Yasukuni Shrine, to apologize and provide legal compensation to the victims of forced draft and the survivors of Japan’s military sex slavery system, and to correct distortions in its history textbooks. CCIK stated, “The Korean church should take the lead in accepting the inheritance from our ancestors in faith, their love for the nation and the people, and in responding actively to God’s call of the times for justice, peace, and freedom.”

NCCK announced a “Joint Statement of the South Korean and North Korean Churches on the 96th Anniversary of the March 1st Movement” together with JCF, and appealed, “Let us bring about the independence of the Korean people by building solidarity between South and North.” NCCK and JCF stated jointly, “The day of independence, overcoming the division, is to be made by South and North, not given to us by outside forces… Let us Christians testify in one strong voice to Jesus’ promise of peace for our future independence.”

In the statement the two organizations warned Japan, “Stop all moves to abolish Article 9 of the Constitution (also known as the Peace Constitution) for a return to militarism.” They also suggested ways to transform the Korean Peninsula into a land of peace and coexistence. “The government of the South should immediately lift the May 24th measures; and on humanitarian grounds, the governments of South and North should proceed immediately with efforts for reunions of divided families… The United States should change its policy of restricting North Korea, and instead promote coexistence.”

Reporters Se Ook Koh & Jin Samyeol (swkoh@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)


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