National Council of Churches in Korea - NCCK

21/04/2019

On Easter Sunday, in worship I told the story of Rev. Moon Ik Hwan and the People's Peace Chain at DMZ on this anniversary of reconciliation talks in Korea. The beautiful people of the congregations of Eastend and Shaunavon and of Hazlett (of Living Skies Region) of the United Church of Canada express and send their support as people gather hand in hand for Peace along DMZ

19/04/2019

A small congregation in Canada sharing our thoughts, hopes and prayers for the People's Peace Chain of 4.27 as we worshipped on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. We are Abbey-Lancer/Portreeve Community of Faith in the United Church of Canada

26/08/2016

report on United Church of Canada website on the NCCK American trip for peace
https://lettersfromoverseas.wordpress.com/2016/08/21/travelling-for-peace/

11 states! 2500 miles! Travelling from coast to coast of the United States in 12 days! The long-awaited National Council of Churches in Korea Pilgrimage to the U.S. for Peace has finished in Was…

23/08/2016

http://fpif.org/let-peace-games-begin/

As the Olympic games in Rio draw to a close, another set of games will begin: military exercises between the United States and South Korea to prepare for a possible armed conflict with North Korea.

29/07/2016

Day 11 - Armistice to Pearce Treaty Campaign
Our last day day of campaign again was full and profitable.
We were all early arriving at the Methodist Building, and were there as people gathered. At 9 am the Ecumenical Consultation began with prayer by J. Herbert Nelson, newly elected Stated Clerk (General Secretary) of PC(USA). This was followed by a greeting from the Asia-Pacific Forum by Levi Bautisa, co-chair. This supportive group will be expecting a report to their Sept.meeting. Levi himself reflected how familiar he is with Korea and reminised that in 1985 he spent his birthday with Kim Dae Jung, just 2 months after his return from exile.
Then Jim Winkler, on behalf of of NCCCUSA called on the participants in the consultation to share. First J.Herbert Nelson lifted up the long history of American Presbyterians in Korea. The PC(USA) Assembly recently passed a resolution for Peace Treaty and dialogue in Korea and continue to work in solidarity with this work.
Dr. Noh Jung Sun presented the Washington Appeal being issued jointly by the delegates of this campaign and NCCCUSA. There are 3 main points, lifting of sanctions and encouraging dialogue and exchanges of people and cooperation; cancelling perpetual arms race, particularly THAAD; and denuclearization and a nuclear~ free zone in Northeast Asia.
Next Bishop Jung of UMC spoke and presented their statement coming out of their General Counci in May which had first been adopted in 1988. He highlighted the active partnership between UMC and KMC and NCCK as well as KCF in North Korea. We Christians need to imagine a new way for our governments who cannot imagine a way out of ongoing Cold War. A member of the Ecumenical Forum, at a meeting in Germany last year, their advice was to take this Korean message to the seat of power~ to the U.S.
Dan Jasper of the American Friends (Quakers) was next. He reported they are involved in North Korea with an agricultural assistance program, and have done lobbying to gain humanitarian exemption for sanctions. With others in D.C. they are part of Korea Peace Network and are working at practical ways of improving the Korean situation. First through people to people exchanges, using a U.S. government program to sponsor exchanges. Second program to work to repatriate Korean War Vets' remains. This program will encourage military to military dialogue. Thirdly they encourage reuniting families (I think it is through bringing North Koreans to the U.S.). Their fourth emphasis is demining the DMZ and they are pushing Obama to sign a mine ban treaty for the DMZ before his term ends.
Lacy Bromel brought greetings from the Episcopal Church and former bishop Katherine Scorey (?) who had been close to Korea. She led a delegation to Keumgang Mountain and Okinawa and been very invilved with TOPIK (Towards Peace in Korea)
Judy Coode from Pax Christi International, a Catholic organization begun in 1945 to bring reconciliation between Germana and French citizens, told us their partner in South Korea is SPARK .
Charissa Zehr from Mennonite Central Committee has a staff person for Asia located in Korea, Chris Rice, and they have been involved in North Korea unce rhw mid- 90's.
Gerry Lee of Maryknoll brought greetings and described the disasterous effects sanctions have on bringing medicine into their Pyongyang T.B. hospital.
Jim Winkler gave closing remarks, describing how, in the 30 years since he began work in this field the Berlin Wall fell and the Germanies united, apartheid ended, the U.S. reconciled with Vietnam and began talks with Cuba. But nothing has moved with north Korea and a new wall has been built in Israel. The U.S. has 700 military installations around the world, and it is said their is only one political party in the U.S., the Business Party, which has a Republican branch and a Democrat branch. Still we affirm that a more hopeful future lied ahead.
The Consultation ended for the Press Conference~ in a format novel to us all. We stayed in the same room and were connected online. People spoke to a camera and questions came by Twitter. At the end we found 84 people had watched the Press Conference, one of them being World Council of Churches.
Jim Winkler greeted people joining online and described the campaign briefly. We find little political will to bring an end to the long Korean conflict, but as we continued to maintain connections with Cuban churches over the long years, so Christians from North and South are partners and NCCCUSA appeal for support for this issue, and he thanked the participating journalistd for helping to tell the story.
Dr. Noh Jung Sun presented the main points of the Washington Appeal, and Levi Bautista added the plea for the Asia-Pacific Forum members to have journalists and people create a political will across the country, while J.Herbert Nelson called for us to support, with the love of God, those who cannot cross bridges or boundaries. Lee Moon Sook spoke of the present- day tensions tensions in Korea and noted the distortions of history people hold, and her hope they would learn true history.
Dr. Suh Bo Hyuk presented the proposed peace treaty offered by NCCK after many years of thinking about it.
Then the questions were received. A number of questions were in the category of "how can local church members get involved? " The answers were, become educated in the issue, know your deniminational position, then be in contact with congress reps, who will respond when they hear from the public.
The other questions were "what is most significant about the proposed treaty? " and the answer is that it comes from both NCCK and KCF. Our colleagues in the North read and approved it.
At this point the Press Conference ended and we had lunch together. Then one group went off to the White House where they were to meet with Melissa Rogers of the White House office of religious partnerships and another staff of Korean relationships. After a while the rest of us followed, to demonstrate outside the White House. Led by Rev Cho Hun Chung we cried out "we are peacemakers, we want a Korea Peace Treaty, we want it right now". Kurt gave out flyers to a lot of people who stopped to watch us, and we are on a number of cellphone cameras.
When the advocate group from inside joined us, most of us went to the Holocaust Museum where NCCCUSA had arranged we receive a guided tour by Dr. Victoria Barnett, expert on research of genocide. It was a very moving experience.
And so our last evening here. There are reoccurring thunderstorms. I wonder if that means things will cool down?
We put these days into the care of God, asking that seeds have been planted and awareness increased about the situations in Korea!
We pray too, for the process of reconciliation that lies ahead.
And we pray for safe travel home for our pilgrims. God bless us all

28/07/2016

Day 10 - Armistice to Peace Treaty Campaign
What a busy and long day! From 9 am until 4:30 we have been visiting with government representatives. That necessarily involves a lot of travel and security procedures in Washington.
And because we had to get downtown by 8:15, and the woman at the desk recommended preparating for twice as long, so we left at 7 am, and arrived in very good time. It was useful in that Yi Ki Ho had written a draft of statement or appeal to come from consultation, and I spent the time correcting the English.
Elspeth from NCCCUSA met us and guided to the Russell Senate Bldg. It's a very grand building~ marble floors, hard wood doors. We has to go through security, and we took quite a time. (Actually everything we did took a long time, so our guides had some trouble with our schedule, but it worked out) .
We entered a board or meeting room with a big hardwood table.
We were meeting with Trent Bishop, who is some sort of assistant, fairly senior I think, to Senator Cory Gardner from Colorado, a Republican who sits on the Foreign Relations committee, and had drafted the sanctions legislation against North Korea. He said his office is concerned about human rights, individual security and ballistic missiles. Then he asked us our concerns. Dr. Noh Jong Sun outlined our requests, peace treaty, cancel THAAD, and lift the sanctions which have been imposed since 1950. Rev Chang We a Methodist joining us from somewhere, maybe in Maryland, brought up the issue of taxes for Americans, which he says Trump talks about. He also mentioned the three Korean war vets who are still sitting in Congress who last year brought forward a proposal for a Korean threat. We talked about the 10 year period of the Sunshine Policy, when exchanges were increasing understanding and decreasing uncertainty and the nation was aware of new possibilities. Gaesung industrial park and keungam mountain resort come from this time.
We also brought up the parallel of the Cuban missile crisis to THAAD. As Russia did to the U.S., the U.S. is doing to China ~ missiles in the backyard!
We talked about the changes happening in the North in human rights, as it was added to their new constitution.
Extending the Cold War has forced North Korea into the system in which human rights must be secondary to national security.
Jim Winkler closed with a reflection on listening to fellow Christians across many lines.
Our discussion lasted an hour and a half. Trent honestly seemed engaged with what we were saying. Although we know he had different stands on all these issues, it felt like his mind was opened to some new things.
Then we went across to the House office building and met in a hearing room, where we met with Jonathan Sarager who is permanent staff of congressman Ed Roise from California, chair of the House subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. Bills active on Korea relate to North Korean human rights, improving information into North Korea and their policy is solid leadership of Park Geun Hye. Because we had spent so long with Trent Bishop, we only had a half hour with Jonathan. We talked about the violation of rights of divided families caused by the division and the right of people to live in peace
Next year, Jonathan said, the North Korean Human Rights Act will be reauthorized, by hearings of the committee and debate in Congress.
So if anyone wants to participate in hearings, they should apply.
As we prepared to leave Jonathan invited, since we were a Christian group, would someone close in prayer, which was a treat. Bishop Jung Hee Soo did so.
Our lunch was at Uno's, Chicago Pizza at Union Station. Lovely
Afternoon began with a visit with Dr. John Merrill, a professor from the US- Korea Institute of School of Advanced International Studies . He used to work for the State department Intelligence and Research.He was an absolute treat.
He knew and understood the situation of Korea.
Our last visit was Robert King, in the the State Department who was just the opposite. Of course his job is Special Envoy on Human Rights, and he was giving the party line and not moving an inch. He was concerned with freedom of religion~ thinking that as Korean Christians we would gladly agree.
His opinion is peace between north and south is a Korean issue only. He was hard to listen to, but the General Secretary Kim Young j was very gracious giving him a gift and inviting us all to participate in a picture.
Bishop jeong hee soo and rev chang we took us to a great Chinese place for dinner, and then a number went shopping.
Tomorrow will be another significant day for us all

27/07/2016

27/07/2016

Day 9 - Armistice to Peace Treaty Campaign
As I write today it is already July 27 in Korea, the anniversary day of the signing of the Armistice. It is the reason we chose to be in Washington today and talk to American government officials tomorrow. Starting out in Ohio, highway 70 took us into the small spur of West Virginia and for a time into Pennsylvania, then down to D.C.
Yesterday President Obama made a proclamation (http://go.wh.gov/Uc44fk). He proclaimed July 27 to be National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. He talked about Americans and Koreans standing shoulder to shoulder in defense of peace and prosperity, and talks about lasting friendship and cherished values. Our delegation wants to support his aim, that we also support peace, and that never again should innocent soldiers die ~ therefore the Americans must see we urgently need a peace treaty. How much better it woud be to be a Peace Day rather t g an an Armistice Day. We therefore urge a critical look at issues like economic sanctions and THAAD deployment, and set this proclamation against the 1988 NCCK statement and the 2013 WCC statement.
During this day I read of the deportation of 2 Korean American peace activists who flew to Korea to take part in activities from July 27, anniversary of signing armistice, to Aug. 15, Liberation Day. It is very disturbing news, and belies Obama's words of protecting freedom~ it's a very selective freedom defined largely by the military-industrial complex, under the name of national security.
We all travelled separately today not to meet until the hotel in Washington.
We arrived just in time to change clothes and make our way to downtown, the Methodist Building which is the home of NCCCUSA. We were met on the street by Elspeth who I have been writing to, and in the lobby by Jim Winkler, the General Secretary. There were a good number of staff, church leaders and legislative advocacy workers there.
Rev Dr Susan Henry-Crowe, UMC Gen.Sec prayed and then we enjoyed eating and mixing with the Washington people. Afterwards, after introductions Jim Winkler went over the schedule for the next two days, which will be enormously full and interesting.
What a delight to be going to sleep knowing that in the morning we will not have to pack and leave. Although we still must leave early both days, we don't have to be packed up and will return to same base. Delightful!
Shin yeon shik told me we had travelled 2500 miles (5500 km). Yoo si kyung said we had been through 11 states. So we give thanks. It reminds me that Yoo SiKyung had said in Indianapolis that his two sons went to the military and his prayer is that his grandson will not have to, because National Security of both the north part and the south part will not mean having to prepare for war with the use of so much economic and human resources after a treaty is signed. We join his prayer ~ 우리의 소원은 통일. Reunification come!

NATIONAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY, 2016 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION

26/07/2016

Day 8 - Armistice to Peace Treaty Campaign
The Marten House hotel is very nice ~ used by Gobal Ministries to host their guests. The team going to the government offices met at 8 in the breakfast room. The permanent team going morning and afternoon were Rev Jeon Yang Ho, Dr. Noh Jong Son, Rev Lee Moon Sook and Kurt. On the morning team was Fr. You Si Kyung and Prof. Suh Bo Hyug; on the afternoon team Prof. Yi ki Ho and General Secretary Kim Young Ju. The morning team met a staff member of the House of Representatives for Indiana, Andre Carson and in the afternoon staff of Senator Joe Donnelly (of course all Democrats are in Philadelphia this week at the convention). Staff of both politicians were quite responsive to the presentations and appreciative of the new learnings and perspective they gained (for one instance, that there had been high hopes when Obama was elected, but that his latter administration has been disappointing with sanctions and refusal to deal with North Korea) and the printed information left for their bosses. When questions come about Korean, Carson and Donnelly will be more prepared.
The others of us went to the Veterans Circle downtown for street campaigning. Fr. Kim organized a very meaningful campaign. We put our banners and signs on the ground, then stood around holding hands for 5 minutes of silent prayer and consideration of peace in Korea. This was followed by singing We Shall Overcome. We picked up banners and shouted~ what do we want? Peace in Korea! When do you want it? Right now! And ~ No! THAAD! Peace! Yes! Then we walked around the Circle alternating shouting and singing. Yi ki ho was an outrider (so to speak) going to the people sitting or passing with information and requests for sending in postcards. To end we read the Beatitudes from Matthew's gospel.
We retired to the Disciples Centre, being greeted by Sharon Watkins, the Disciples General Minister. She expressed the joy of the office, witnessing our pilgrimage in its witness for ending war and seeking wholeness, which is the shalom of God. She quoted Romans 8, "All of creation is waiting " for people to be revealed as God's ambassadors taking the message of wholeness and peace to the seats of power.
We then retired to a large room where lunch was served, sharing lunch with the all of the Disciples staff members. We had a lunch program planned- showed the NCCK treaty video, then Rev Jeon Yang Ho spoke of the modern history of divided Korea and the dreams of peaceful reunification. He was followed by Prof. Suh Bo Hyug went through the Treaty draft prepared by the NCCK.
After this program the office staff returned to work and the people involved with Global Ministries came with us into the chapel again, where we held a version of the Monday Prayer for Peaceful Reunification using the 2016 Aug.15 Joint Prayer. Especially moving was singing of We Are Marching in the Light of God in English and Zulu.
Following this there was a time for questions and discussion which was very moving and then we went again for the afternoon program.
The group got away from Indianapolis about 4:30 and made good timing driving to Columbus. We were going to a Korean restaurant, the MinGa, and it was very well appreciated.
So an early night, and relaxing. It is lovely to be here safely and know our goal is coming. Also we will be staying in the same hotel for three nights which will be very pleasant. We rejoice that God continues to be with us, and we pray for God's will to be done, now and always.

25/07/2016

Day 7 Armistice to Peace Treaty Campaign
Apologies for not getting yesterday's story out at the regular time. I never did connect to internet last night. Also the first few days everyone was posting many of their day's pictures, but as our tiredness grows, people are heading for bed.
Arriving at hotel and doing my regular job of helping get rooms organized when one of the vans reported a crisis. In the heavy rain the water was pouring in around the windshield. So Kurt had to phone Alamo, who luckily confirmed a similar vehicle at O'Hare airport, for pickup in morning. So besides regular late evening of organizing committee, all had to be removed from the wet van. As well, we laid out packages of materials for the 4 groups to take to church today.
So Sunday came, new van was picked up, and groups scattered to find their own breakfasts and churches. Rev Jeon Yong Ho was preaching at the Methodist First Korean Church we had been at last night. The Anglican trio went to the Korean Episcopal church, who are celebrating their 45th anniversary today, so it is lovely to have global community presence! Dr.Noh Jung Sun preached at First Congregational Church, with the sermon title, Wounded Knee and Peoples Anger. Rev. Lee Moon Sook preached at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church downtown, a Reconciling (we in United church of Canada would say affirming) Congregation. She preached on the magpie as symbol of peace and urged us all to reclaim our symbols and let our voices be heard.
Then individually the cars made their way to Indianapolis to meet the Global Ministries. Xiaoling Zhu and Tom Morse from Global Ministries was there to meet us. After checking into the Marten House we went to a dinner presented by Global Ministries at a wonderful pasta restaurant. Other staff of GM and Disciples of Christ were there, and we enjoyed eating at round tables with new acquaintances. Afterwards Tom gave the schedule for the program tomorrow and we returned to the hotel for some evaluating and planning by ourselves. May God grant wisdom, passion and energy to the Peace Campaign as it unfolds tomorrow.
Bridged are more beautiful than bombs are! Listening is louder than shout! An open hand is stronger than a fist is! And wonder is more valuable than gold! Love can change the world! Oh do we still believe in love? May we never stop this dreaming of a better world. May we never stop believing in the impossible! (Love Can Change the World, composed Aaron Neiquist, closing hymn Holy Covenant United Methodist Church)

24/07/2016

Day 6 Armistice to Peace Treaty Campaign
Last evening in Sioux City, over a leisurely dinner at Iron Skillet Bar and Grill, we inaugurated Rev. Jeon Yong Ho as leader of the Treaty Campaign and thus official leader of this trip. To me, it sounded like a roast more than a serious set of speeches; as we went around the table there was much laughter. However, when I tried to make a joke about something Jeon Yong Ho had said to me, it was interpreted as a serious comment and things were very awkward. Finally all figured out it was a joke, and lots of 'Oh, Catherine made a joke, haha' comments around the table.
Back at the hotel, a number of details to finalize for Chicago and beyond.
Leaving the prairies, we came into the Midwest, the colour, the vegetation different (the corn taller and fuller) - Interstate 80 and crossing the Mississippi into Illinois and thus to Chicago.
In Coralville, Iowa, we stopped for lunch. Fr. Yoo has Episcopal friends there who he had contacted. They had been missionaries in China and now are preparing to go to Latin America. They came to meet us at the Mall and bought lunch for us. Many thanks Brad and Anne who greeted us with hospitality and prayed for us that God's will be carried out through this campaign.
Approaching Chicago we were caught by a violent thunder storm, which flung the rain against the car so that the visibility was virtually nothing. We all experienced fear, but the four drivers successfully carried through and all reached the Korean First Methodist church where about 30 had gathered. Bishop Jong Soo Hee, who sits as a U.S. member of Ecumenical Forum, was the host, along with First Church's pastor, Rev. Kim Kwang Tae.
Bishop Jong in his welcome address thanked us for bringing the rain, even though such a downpour, as Chicago has been very dry.
Kim Young Ju, NCCK General Secretary, Noh Jung Sun, Chair of Reconciliation and reunification committee, and Jeon Yong Ho, leader of campaign team, replied with thanks and sharing of our vision. We collected signatures and gave out information. As we went to our cars, we felt we had gained friends.
Again in pouring rain we found our hotel for the night, Red Roof Inn in Schaumburg.

23/07/2016

Day 5 - Armistice to Peace Treaty American campaign
I received the question this morning, 'when are you going to campaign for Peace Treaty? I don't see you with any humans but yourselves!' Well, it's true! Not many people along these highways~ but there are a lot of miles to cover, so we are pushing hard to do it, while seeing some sights that inspire. Chadron, where we spent last night, is near the South Dakota border and pretty well this whole day has been spent driving through South Dakota, up to interstate 90, a swing through the amazing Badlands National Park and to our hotel down in the southeastern corner and sliding across the border into Iowa, Sioux City. Tomorrow is another long push through to Chicago and then nothing but campaigning in one form or another.
We are also learning about America, something about small towns, appreciating the slower way of life lived in harmony with natire. We have been aware of the Republican and Democratic conventions going on as we consider the next administration's willingness to deal in a helpful and healthy way with Korea. We have also seen the public flags at halfmast in mourning for the deaths of policemen and are aware of the violence in what we we have really really only seen as quiet landscapes (we didn't have any time for a critical analysis of life is LA or Los Vegas, or for that matter, the Native American land we have driven through. I hope in the conversations with Chicago clergy, UCC leaders in Indianapolis and consultation with the partner National Council of Churches, that these connections will become clear, between the violence evident in the Korean peninsula and the violences and angers found in U.S. society.
Coming into Sioux City alongside the markets Missouri River, we pray for the wisdom of the rivers and everlasting hills to inspire all of the Creator's children.
We are grateful to God for keeping us in his care during these days of travel