WCC “평화와 화해, 통일을 위한 대화에 즉각 나서라” 한반도 위기 관련 WCC총무 입장

WCC 울라프 트베이트 총무가 날로 고조되고 있는 한반도의 긴장상황에 대해 입장을 발표했다. 트베이트 총무는 10일 한반도의 긴장상황이 중단되고 당사자들이 평화와 화해, 통일을 위한 대화에 즉각 나설것을 촉구했다.

특히 올해 10월 부산에서 열릴 WCC 제10차 총회에 대해 “우리는 부산 이외의 장소에서 총회를 개최할 계획이 없다”고 밝히고 “이번 총회의 주제는 ‘생명의 하나님, 우리를 정의와 평화로 이끄소서’이다. 지금 한반도야말로 정의와 평화의 메시지가 필요하다”고 밝혔다. 그리고 한반도에 하나님의 정의와 평화가 임하도록 기도해줄 것을 전 세계 기독교인들에게 요청했다.

백상현 기자 100sh@kmib.co.kr

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WCC general secretary calls for end to increased tension on Korean peninsula

The general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, has called for an end to the increase of tensions on the Korean peninsula and encourages the parties involved to move immediately to dialogue about peace, reconciliation and reunification.

The general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, has called for an end to the increase of tensions on the Korean peninsula and encourages the parties involved to move immediately to dialogue about peace, reconciliation and reunification.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula is of increasing concern to the WCC not only because of the impact on its member churches in South Korea, but also for the Korean Christian Federation in North Korea with which the WCC has developed long term dialogue and relationships.

The WCC is scheduled to celebrate its 10th Assembly in the South Korean city of Busan from 30 October to 8 November this year. The assembly is held once every seven years and brings together Christians from around the world in one of the most diverse gathering of churches.

“We have no plans to have our assembly anywhere else but in Busan,” Tveit said. “The theme of the assembly is ‘God of life, lead us to justice and peace.’ It is now that the Korean peninsula needs a message of justice and peace.”

"The fact that the assembly is being held in Korea is from our perspective an expression of the hope of the worldwide church and churches in Korea for pursuing peace and reconciliation on the there," Tveit said. "Peace on the Korean peninsula is possible without hostilities."

In a February statement about the situation on the Korean peninsula, Tveit said there is a need for stronger engagement, a diplomatic solution and inter-Korean cooperation instead of hostile acts.

“The current situation demonstrates an urgent need for the members of the Six-Party Talks, the six governments most responsible for peace and human security in Northeast Asia, to return to their own earlier path of negotiations and confidence-building,” he stressed.

“For the sake of all in the region, particularly those living in both North and South Korea, the WCC and its member churches call for an end to the on-going threats and intimidation, which if not checked and ended could result in a catastrophic situation that no one wants,” Tveit said this week from the WCC offices in Geneva, Switzerland.

“We ask for prayers for all of the churches in South and North Korea,” Tveit said. “We stand with our brothers and sisters in our South Korean member churches who during the past 60 years have worked hard, along with the WCC, to reach out to the churches in North Korea with the goal of seeking reunification and reconciliation.”

“We invite all Christians to pray for the Korean peninsula and that God’s will, for justice and peace, be done,” he said.