Ecumenical partners praise reconciliation and reunification talks
World Council of Churches Release
The Rev. Lee Hong-jung, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea, participates in a candlelight vigil for peace in the Korean Peninsula on December 9, 2017, in Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Paul Jeffrey/WCC)
GENEVA — The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) released a statement on April 27 in response to the Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity, and Unification of the Korean Peninsula.
The leaders of North and South Korea signed the historic agreement, seeking a formal end to the Korean War and the complete denuclearization of the peninsula, at a summit in the demilitarised zone.
The NCCK expressed its strong support and respect for the declaration and the summit.
“Having recognized the absurdity and pain brought forth by separation, for more than 50 years the NCCK has worked for the reconciliation and peace of Korea while praying without ceasing,” the statement reads. “We strongly support the agreement to replace the armistice treaty with a peace treaty by the end of this year, and to build a long-lasting and stable peace in the peninsula through complete denuclearization.”
The NCCK also strongly supports the agreement to transform the demilitarization zone into a “peace zone” and to establish a peace zone in the West Sea.
“We also support the commitment to cease all hostile military acts,” the statement continues. “We strongly support the agreement to ensure the participation of civilians in the reunification process as seen in the decision to establish a joint liaison office and to resume the reunion events of the separated families.”
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National Council of Churches in Korea
WCC press release, 27 April 2019
WCC Statement on Korean Peninsula, 27 April 2018
WCC Statement on Korean Peninsula, 19 April 2018
WCC member churches in the Republic of Korea
NCCK Statment on Korean Peninsula, 27 April 2018
The full text of the joint declaration
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Categories: Ecumenical & Interfaith
Tags: denuclearization, ecumenical, korea, NCCK, North Korea, pcusa, presbyterian, reconciliation, reunification, South Korea, unification