The Women's Committee of the National Council of Churches in Korea

Hae-sun Jung

Program Executive

Womens Committee, NCCK

1. North-South Women's Reunification Assembly

The North-South Women's Reunification Assembly was held on 16-17 October 2002 at Mt. Kyungkang. There were over 700 participants, 300 from North Korea, 350 from South Korea and the rest from overseas. Four South Korean Christian representatives, including Rev. Han Kuk-yom, former General Secretary of the Korean Association of Women Theologians, met North Korean participants, including Ms. Kim Hea-sook a member of the International Committee of the Korean Christians Federation (KCF) of North Korea. According to Ms. Kim, there are two churches, Bong-su Church and Chil-gok Church, in Pyungyang and 513 home churches throughout the North. We evaluate this meeting as highly meaningful in terms of the Civic Reunification Movement. Civic groups and ordinary people led it. They shared the warmth of their sisterhood and reconfirmed their witness for the reunification of the two Koreas.

2. Church Women's Alliance for Peace and Against War

Over 20 Church related women's organizations joined the Church Women's Alliance for Peace and Against War. At the beginning of a prayer meeting on 13 March 2003, we spoke out strongly against war in Iraq. On 30 April, we will hold the Annual Consultation of the Christian Women's Movement. At this meeting, we will discuss the topic "How to do the Work of the Christian Women's Peace Movement". In addition, we will discuss three sub-themes; Women and Peace on the Korean Peninsula; Women and the Peace Movement of the Church and Women and Militarism. At this time, we are running a special campaign to raise a relief fund in order to provide medicine for Iraqi children.

3. Overcoming Violence Against Women and Children Modules.

The Womens Committee participates in the DOV project of the CCA. The project aims to contribute towards the Churchs peace ministry and seeks fullness of life for all by working towards ending violence against women and children. Specifically, the project aims at:

a. Raising the awareness of local congregations regarding the issue on the basis of our faith.

b. Generating a response to the issue and action to address it.

c. Rereading Scripture texts related to the issue from a liberating perspective.

d. Contributing to the work of the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV).

The Womens Committee takes responsibility for two chapters: □State Violence□ and □Violence in the Church□. The State Violence chapter is concerned with laws relating to womens and childrens rights and militarism. In the chapter on Violence in the Church, the writers will deal with the structural violence in the Church such as clericalism, the hierarchical structure of the traditional Church, theological violence and ritual, liturgies and language. We chose five writers for this project who will complete their work by the end of June.

4. Church Declaration for Overcoming and Protection from Sexual Violence

The Declaration suggests the proper witness and role of a responsible Church regarding sexual violence. Traditionally the Church has avoided referring to □sex□ within its congregations. At the 51st Assembly of the NCCK, on 18 Nov. 2002, the Korean Church presented the official dossier □Church Declaration for Overcoming and Protection from Sexual Violence□. Considering the conservative nature of the Korean Church and society, it was a remarkable process and outcome in terms of womens issues. In May, we will concentrate on informing all member churches of the NCCK, theological seminaries, and womens groups about the declaration. We hope that it will be helpful in changing attitudes regarding sexual prejudice and gender sensitivity.

5. Women Religious Leaders Dialogue: □Woman, be a Partner of Women!□

In the second half of this year, we will have an opportunity to share our desire for peace on the basis of our different religious traditions. During this meeting, we will plan the next years festival with a view to encouraging religious life and celebrating womens unity.

6. The 5th Solidarity and Interchange Meeting of the Womens Committee of the NCC-Korea and Japan

Every other year, the NCC-Korea and NCC-Japan have a solidarity and interchange meeting. It is held alternately in each country. The 5th meeting will be held in Okinawa, Japan on 28-30 November. The main theme is □Korean and Japanese Womens Role in Peacemaking in North East Asia□. We will focus on the comfort women, Korean rights in Japan and migrant workers rights issues. Furthermore, we will read the Bible from the point of view of Asian women.