Korean Peninsula Unification Focus of WCC Asia Visit

Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) with Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Supreme People's Assembly. (Photo: WCC/Peter Williams)

Representatives from the World Council of Churches (WCC) spent time in North East Asia this week in efforts to strengthen Christian involvement in bringing reconciliation to the Korean peninsula.

Led by WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, the delegation arrived in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Saturday, Oct. 17 at the invitation of the Korean Christian Federation (KCF). The WCC proceeded to visit church and government officials in the region over the course of the week, discussing issues ranging from church unity to restoring North Korean involvement in the Six-Party nuclear disarmament talks.

Kobia preached at a worship service on Sunday, Oct. 18 in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, telling the 200 congregants gathered that, "There are two main learnings I want us to reflect on this morning. The first is that we are called to take care of each other. The second is to recognize the need for nurturing the unity which is given to us by Jesus Christ."

"This image of the body is applicable to the church and is also applicable to the human community," he continued. "And as a human community, whether we are talking of one country or many countries, one place or many places, we are dependent on each other and we need each other."

The WCC delegation visited two other churches in the region on the same Sunday, including a house church of 12 members in the community of Sunam outside of Pyongyang.

The following day the delegation met with president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong-nam with talks focusing on nuclear disarmament in the country.

Presenting the WCC's position on the topic, Kobia told Kim that, "those who have nuclear weapons should get rid of them and those wanting them should no longer seek them."

North Korea's nuclear program, currently operating with nearly 3,000 workers at 20 different sites, has been a major obstacle for efforts put forth by the U.N. and others towards world denuclearization. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates called the regime's most recent missile tests in April and May violations that, "undermine the global nonproliferation regime and constitute direct and grave threats to peace and stability," according to the Associated Press.

Speaking to the WCC delegation on the matter, Kim said a face-to-face meeting with U.S. representatives is key to solving the nuclear stand-off in the region. The remarks echo a recent announcement from North Korean President Kim Jong-Il that bi-lateral talks with the U.S. would determine the country's involvement in future Six Party Talks.

Kim also told the WCC that he finds unfairness with the current Six Party Talks, saying that members like China, Russia and the U.S. are also nuclear powers, and that Japan and South Korea are under the nuclear protection policy of the U.S.

Kobia assured Kim that the WCC would, "continue to work for peace, as Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace and a peacemaker in the world,' and that all in his organization, "look forward to the day when the Koreas will be reunified and families will be reunited."

Following their visit to North Korea, delegates moved to Hong Kong for a three-day consultation entitled "Peace, Reconciliation and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula." Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the WCC's 1984 meeting in Tozanso, Japan, which marked the body's initial public efforts towards peace in the North East Asian region, the Oct. 21-23 event brought together nearly 140 church leaders from 30 countries, including four leaders from North Korea.

"There has been substantial progress achieved in terms of advocacy on Korea during the years since the 1984 Tozanso consultation," Kobia said to the delegates on Tuesday. "The global ecumenical fellowship and its members, together with the Korean churches, contributed to the struggle for peace, reconciliation and the reunification of Korea."

"As we are again gathered here to commemorate, reflect and dream together to move forward with a new vision and new ecumenical agenda for Korean reunification, we need to reflect more carefully on what is our vision of peace, justice and reconciliation in its totality," he continued.

"We need to envision peace based on the concept of shalom: a vision of justice, peace and reconciliation."

Running until Friday, the consultation will include presentations from China, Russia, Japan, the U.S. and both Korea republics.

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