ICC Note:
A Global Christian organization called The World Communion of Reformed Churches based in Hanover, Germany, sent a delegation to Pyongyang to meet with North Korean church leaders in the wake of last month’s devastating floods and heightened tensions following the country’s fifth nuclear test. The organization encouraged dialogue between the two Koreas in order to bring peace and restoration to the Korean Peninsula. In spite of North Korea’s horrific ongoing history of persecuting Christians, it is great to see Christians engage the authoritarian government in hopes to bring change. Hopefully, this interaction will also open dialogue for the end of Christian persecution in North Korea.
09/30/2016 North Korea (N.K. News) – A global Christian group that recently visited North Korea urged the two Koreas Friday to restore dialogue to bring peace and reconciliation to the Korean Peninsula.
The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), based in Hanover, Germany, sent a delegation to Pyongyang from Saturday to Thursday to meet with North Korean church leaders in the wake of last month’s devastating floods and heightened tensions following the North’s fifth nuclear test.
WCRC General Secretary Rev. Chris Ferguson, who led the seven-member delegation with WCRC President Jerry Pillay, said the North Koreans expressed deep concern over the recent political developments, including the planned deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system in South Korea.
“The delegation heard the urgent wish for the de-escalation of provocation and tension, and the need to reestablish dialogue and negotiations and the desire to change the armistice into a peace treaty,” Ferguson said during a press conference here, shortly after flying in from Pyongyang via Beijing. “We were told firmly that North Korea remains committed to peace and reunification in the face of the current situation.”
Seoul has rejected such claims by Pyongyang, saying the communist country should first stop its nuclear and missile development and then return to the negotiating table.
In Pyongyang, the delegation also had a protocol visit with Kim Yong-dae, vice president of the Supreme People’s Assembly, North Korea’s rubberstamp parliament.
The reverend said they did not discuss the Sept. 9 nuclear test.
“We want the end of nuclear weapons. We want all of Asia to be a nuclear-free zone, and the whole world to be free of the threat of nuclear escalation,” he said. “But this will require creating a platform of dialogue where all countries feel heard, honored and respected.”
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