- (노컷뉴스) 조그련 강명철 위원장 사진 첫 공개
- 조그련 4대 위원장 강명철 목사조그련 강명철 위원장 사진 첫 공개 북측교회를 대표하고 있는 북한 조선그리스도교련맹(이하 조그련) 위원장의 사진이 공개됐다. 2013년 7월 조그련 제4대 위원장에 임명된 강명철 목사는 선출된 지 1년이 다 되 가지만 그동안 해외언론이나 남측 언론에 그의 모습은 한번도 공개되지 않았다. 한국기독교교회협의회는 조그련이 2013년 7월 중국을 경유한 팩스를 통해 '조그련 평양시위원회 위원장이었던 강명철 목사를 위원장으로, 국제부장이었던 리정로 목사를 부위원장으로 선출한 소식을 전해왔다'고 밝힌 바 있다. CBS가 이번에 단독 입수한 사진과 동영상은 미국에서 학술단체와 구호단체를 이끌며 미국과 북한을 왕래하고 있는 소셜 무브먼트 그룹 'New Korea 비전2020' 대표 최재영 목사가 제공한 것으로, 지난 4월 말 강위원장과의 면담이 성사돼 환담한 것을 촬영한 것이다. 제4대 위원장으로 선출된 강 목사는 2012년 1월 타계한 조그련 제3대 위원장 강영섭 목사의 장남으로, 1960년생(54살)이다. 북한에서는 명문학교로 알려진 남산고등중학교(김정일 국방위원장의 모교)와 김일성종합대학을 졸업하고 소정의 신학수업도 이수해 목사안수를 받았고, 북중무역 관련 사업도 해 온 것으로 알려졌다.강 위원장의 할아버지인 강량욱(김일성 주석의 모친 강반석 여사의 남동생) 목사 역시 조그련 초대 위원장(1946년 11월-1983년 1월, 제2대 위원장은 김성률. 1986년 2월-1989년 1월)을 지내 아버지 강영섭(3대 위원장. 1989년 2월-2012년 1월)에 이어 북한교회를 대표하는 수장이 됐다. 김 주석의 모친인 강반석의 믿음으로 강씨 일가가 조그련을 이끌어 오고 있는 것이다. 우리나라 국회격인 북한 최고인민회의 대의원에도 선출 강 위원장은 또 조그련 위원장 뿐만 아니라 올해 3월에는 우리나라의 국회격인 북한 최고인민회의 대의원에도 선출됐다. 북한이 3월 11일 발표한 제13기 최고인민회의 대의원 선거 당선자 687명 가운데 강명섭 위원장은 제351호 금곡선거구에서 당선됐다. 강 위원장의 아버지 강영섭 전 위원장도 1990년 최고인민회의 제9기 대의원에 선출된뒤 2012년 숨지기 전까지 20년 넘게 대의원을 지냈다. 강명철 위원장은 또 최고인민회의 대의원이면서 김영남 국가수반(실제적인 국가원수는 김정은 위원장이지만 대외적인 명목상의 국가지도자는 김영남 최고인민회의 상임위원장)을 위원장으로 하는 최고인민회의 상임위원이라는 중요한 직책도 겸하고 있다. 최재영 목사는 "그동안 한국교회의 진보진영은 선교와 전도보다는 이데올로기적인 성향이 강한 통일운동에 주력해 왔고, 반대로 보수진영은 통일운동에 관심을 갖기보다는 기독교 근본주의적인 전도와 일방적 선교에만 주력을 하고 있어 안타깝게 생각하고 있다"며 "남북의 교회들은 서로 적극적으로 만나서 민족문제를 고민해야한다"고 말했다. 평양 봉수교회 담임 송민철 목사 올해 초 선임
왼쪽부터 평양봉수교회 담임 송민철 목사. 조그련 강명철 위원장. NK비전2020 대표 최재영 목사. 조그련 오경우 서기장 (사진=NK비전2020)올해 4월 북한을 3주간 체류(4월 10일-5월 5일)했던 New Korea 비전2020 대표 최재영 목사에 따르면, 평양봉수교회 담임목사로 봉직했던 손효순 목사가 지난해 타계한 데 이어 봉수교회 부목사로 사역하고 있던 송민철 목사가 그 뒤를 이어어 올해 초 봉수교회 담임을 맡게 된 것으로 알려졌다. 북한의 대표적인 교회인 평양봉수교회는 지난 1988년 평양시 만경대구역(평양역에서 자동차로 10분 거리)에 건립됐으며, 2012년 1월 타계한 강영섭 전 조그련 위원장이 초대 담임목사를 맡았으며, 리성봉, 손효순 목사가 차례로 담임을 맡아왔다. 봉수교회는 대한예수교장로회(통합측)의 지원으로 2008년 7월 기존의 건물을 허물고 그 자리에 연건평 600평에 지상 3층 규모의 석조건물로 새롭게 재건축됐으며, 조그련 사무실도 이 곳에 자리하고 있다.
2014-06-11 04:51:51
- (CBS노컷뉴스) 달라진 시대 속에서 교회협의회의 역할은?
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달라진 시대 속에서 교회협의회의 역할은?
교회협의회, 새로운 100주년 준비 논의
CBS노컷뉴스 조혜진기자[앵커]한국교회 9개 주요교단들의 협의체인 한국기독교교회협의회가 올해 창립 90주년을 맞았습니다.교회협의회는 지나온 시간을 돌아보고 달라진 시대 속에서 한국교회와 사회를 위해 무엇을 해야하는지를 모색하는 정책협의회를 가졌습니다. 조혜진기잡니다.[기사]1924년 조선예수교연합공의회로 시작한 한국기독교교회협의회.교회협의회는 일제치하에서 사회적 계몽과 봉사를 주도했던 것은 물론, 70-80년대에는 우리사회 민주화운동을 이끄는 등 세계교회가 주목할만한 성과를 내왔습니다.하지만, 사회의 민주화가 진전된 이후에는 교회는 오히려 제 몫을 하지 못했고 교회협의회는 그 과정에서 교회를 새롭게 하는 역할을 감당하지 못했다는 비판도 받고 있습니다.교회협의회는 정책협의회를 열어 지나온 길을 돌아보고 앞으로의 나아갈 방향을 모색하는 자리를 마련했습니다.먼저, 교회협의회가 처한 현주소부터 짚어봤습니다.교회협의회를 한국교회 대표기관으로 누구나 인정하고 있는지, 경영난을 이유로 대형교회의 자본논리에 휘둘려 예언자적 목소리를 내는데 소홀하지는 않았는지, 당면 과제들을 돌아봤습니다.[인터뷰] 이범성 목사 (교회협의회 정의평화위원회)부산총회에서 반성했던 것처럼 초대형교회 문제가 정말 문제라고 생각을 하면 그 문제에 대해서 뭔가 결단을 하는 의지가 필요합니다.그리고, 교회협의회가 소홀했던 부분을 점검했습니다.발제를 맡은 최형묵 목사는 “민주화운동과 같은 사회적 과제를 감당할 때, 동시에 했어야할 교회 내적 변화는 교회협의회가 간과한 점”이라고 지적했습니다.교회 내부도 민주적인 구조로 바꾸고, 경제성장과 함께 교회에 자리잡은 자본논리를 바꾸는 노력도 기울였어야 했다는 것입니다.[인터뷰] 최형묵 목사 (천안살림교회 목사)그것(자본논리)이 갖는 문제점을 분명히 인식한다면 바로 그로부터 벗어나는 삶의 양식을, 탈자본주의적 삶의 양식을 교회에서는 경험할 수 있어야한다고 생각합니다.이와함께 참석자들은 신학일치와 정의평화, 화해통일 등 9가지 분야의 주제로 나뉘어 토론회를 갖고, 교회협의회가 우리사회와 교회가 당면한 문제 해결을 위해 무엇을 해야할지를 모색하는 시간을 가졌습니다.교회협의회는 이번 정책협의회에서 나온 자성의 목소리와 제시된 대안 등을 종합해 새로운 100년을 준비하는 방향 설정에 참고할 계획입니다.CBS뉴스 조혜진입니다.jeenylove@cbs.co.kr
2014-06-13 05:26:49
- [공지] NCCK, 천만인서명운동 거리홍보에 나서
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“세월호 참사, 잊지 않겠습니다. 끝까지 함께 하겠습니다.”
NCCK, 천만인서명운동 거리홍보에 나서
한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK, 총무 김영주 목사)가 ‘세월호 참사 철저한 진상규명, 책임자 처벌, 안전한 나라 건설을 위한 특별법 제정 촉구 천만인 서명’에 박차를 가하기 위해 한주간(6월 23일(월)~27일(금))을 정해 거리서명 활동에 나선다.
NCCK는 지난 5일 회원교단과 기독교사회선교연대회의(기사련), 한국기독교사회봉사회(기사봉), 전국목회자정의평화협의회(목정평), YMCA, YWCA 등이 참여하는 ‘세월호 참사 대책 TFT(이하 TFT)’를 구성하고 가장 먼저 유가족이 진행하고 있는 ‘세월호 참사 철저한 진상규명, 책임자 처벌, 안전한 나라 건설을 위한 특별법 제정 촉구 천만인 서명’을 기독교 차원에서 함께 하기로 했었다.
이후 교회별 서명과 온라인 서명운동(www.kncc.or.kr) 등으로 함께 해오던 서명운동의 1차 시한을 이달 말로 정하고 그 박차를 가하기 위해 마지막 한주간을 거리홍보기간으로 정해 교단별, 교회별로 각지에서 온 국민에게 서명운동에 동참해 줄 것을 호소할 예정이다. 이를 위해 NCCK는 “회원교단에 회원교회 본부가 위치한 지역을 중심으로 6월 23일(월)~27일(금) 일주일동안 매일 점심시간에 목회자, 평신도, 직원들이 참여해서 서명운동을 하도록 회원교회에 요청하였다.”고 밝혔다.
그에 앞서 NCCK는 이를 독려하고 널리 알리기 위해 회원교단 교단장들과 총무들을 비롯한 교계 지도자들과 사무처 직원들이 함께하는 거리홍보활동을 오는 20일(금) 오전 11시 30분부터 2시간 동안 광화문 감리교회관 앞에서 진행한다. NCCK는 “교회협 차원의 서명용지 1차 마감기간은 6월 30일이며, 서명용지는 7월 11일(금)까지 교회협에서 취합하게 되지만, 일주일동안의 서명활동 이후에도 회원교회 소속 지역교회들에게 서명용지를 배포해서 서명활동을 이어갈 예정”이라고 밝혔다.
< 천만인서명 거리홍보 >
I. 교회협 지도자들 하루 서명활동
1. 서명활동 : 2014년 6월 20일(금) 오전 11시 30분 ~ 오후 1시 30분
2. 서명장소 : 광화문 희망광장(감리회관 앞)
3. 참석대상 : 교단장, 교단총무 / 교회협 직원들
II. 회원교회 한 주간 서명활동
1. 활동 : 회원교회 본부가 위치한 지역을 중심으로 6월 23일(월)~27일(금) 일주일동안 매일 점심시간에 목회자, 평신도, 직원들이 참여해서 서명운동을 하도록 회원교회에 요청하였습니다.
2. 기간 : 일주일동안의 서명활동 이후에도 회원교회 소속 지역교회들에게 서명용지를 배포해서 서명활동을 이어갑니다. 교회협 차원의 서명용지 1차 마감기간은 6월 30일이며, 서명용지는 7월 11일(금)까지 교회협에서 취합할 예정입니다.
2014-06-17 11:10:01
- (보도) "가만히 있지 않겠다" 세월호 참가자들 법적 대응에 나서
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청와대에서 운영하는 청운동사무소 CCTV,
세월호 특별법 촉구하는 유가족과 촛불기도회 감시…
“가만히 있지 않겠다” 참가자들 법적 대응에 나서
1. 청와대에서 운영하는 것으로 드러난 청운동사무소 CCTV가 세월호 특별법 제정을 촉구하며 대통령 면담을 요구하는 유가족들의 농성을 감시하여 논란을 빚은 데 이어, 세월호 참사 진상규명과 세월호 특별법 제정을 촉구하는 촛불기도회를 감시한 것으로 드러났습니다. 이에 유가족들과 촛불기도회를 주최해 온 한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK) 세월호참사대책위원회가 법적 대응에 나섰습니다.
2. 지난 8월 22일 세월호 유가족은 대통령 면담을 요구하며 청운동사무소 농성을 시작하였습니다. 그런데 농성이 시작된 8월 22일 18시 이후 청운동사무소 앞에 설치된 CCTV가 제자리로부터 회전하여 8월 24일 19시 경까지 약 49시간 동안 유가족 농성장을 집중 감시하는 것이 목격되었습니다. 이 CCTV는 청와대(대통령경호실)에서 운영하는 것으로 확인되었고, 논란이 확산되자 청와대는 “대통령이 주로 지나다니는 차로의 교통관리와 차량공격 등에 대비하기 위해” 설치운영해 왔다고 언론에 해명하고 CCTV를 원위치시켰습니다.
한편 지난 8월 26일부터 거의 매일 저녁, 유가족들이 농성중인 청운동사무소 건너편에서 <세월호 참사 진상규명과 책임자 처벌 및 가족이 원하는 세월호 특별법 제정을 촉구하는 촛불기도회>를 개최해 온 NCCK 세월호참사대책위원회는, 유가족 감시 논란 끝에 제자리로 돌아간 청운동사무소 CCTV가 몇 차례 촛불기도회 장소로 회전하여 기도회를 감시하는 것을 목격하였습니다.
3. 이에 청와대의 감시에 가만히 있지 않겠다는 유가족대책위원회와 NCCK 세월호참사대책위원회는 세월호참사범국민대책위원회와 존엄과안전위원회의 지원을 받아 법적 대응에 나서기로 하였습니다(소송대리인 신훈민, 양홍석 변호사).
감시에 지속적으로 노출되었던 유가족 5인은 우선 CCTV 삭제를 방지하기 위하여 9월 15일 법원에 증거보전신청을 제출하였고 17일 법원은 이 신청을 받아들여 “7일 이내에 CCTV 자료를 제출하라”고 결정하였습니다. 그러나 9월 25일 청와대(대통령경호실)는 “청운동사무소 CCTV는 먼저 녹화된 영상부터 순차적으로 삭제되는 방식이기 때문에 현재 대통령경호실에서 보유하고 있지 않다”며 자료를 제출하지 않았습니다. 유가족들은 청와대가 유가족을 감시한 데 이어 자료마저 삭제한 데 대하여 분노하고 있으며, 조만간 감시로 인한 피해에 대한 소송을 제기할 예정입니다.
NCCK 세월호참사대책위원회는 감시에 노출된 기도회 참가자 3인을 원고로 하여 CCTV 삭제를 방지하기 위한 증거보전신청을 9월 23일 법원에 제출하여 26일 법원으로부터 자료 제출 결정을 받았고 현재 청와대의 자료 제출을 기다리고 있습니다.
4. 세월호 참사에 대한 정부의 올바른 대응과 세월호 특별법 제정을 요구해온 유가족들은 그간 경찰과 국가정보원 등 정부기관으로부터 채증, 미행, 탐문 등 사찰과 감시로 피해를 입어 왔습니다. 세월호 참사를 애도하고 정부의 대응을 비판하는 집회에 참여한 시민들과 종교인들 역시 채증, 통행방해, 연행 등으로 감시와 인권침해를 당해 왔습니다.
청와대 앞에 소재한 청운동사무소에서 세월호 특별법 제정을 촉구하는 활동을 해온 유가족과 종교인들에 대하여 청와대가 CCTV로 감시하는 것 또한 중대한 인권침해입니다. 이러한 인권침해에 대응하는 것은 대통령 집무실인 청와대에 대하여 시민들이 공개적으로 모여 발언할 수 있는 가장 근접한 장소에 청와대가 시민 감시용 CCTV를 설치 및 운영하는 데 대한 공익적 문제제기이기도 합니다.
5. 현행 개인정보보호법은 (1)법령에서 구체적으로 허용하고 있는 경우 (2)범죄의 예방 및 수사를 위하여 필요한 경우 (3)시설안전 및 화재 예방을 위하여 필요한 경우 (4)교통단속을 위하여 필요한 경우 (5)교통정보의 수집·분석 및 제공을 위하여 필요한 경우에만 공개된 장소에서 CCTV 설치 및 운영하는 것을 허용하고 있습니다. 또한 위 설치 목적과 다른 목적으로 CCTV를 줌하거나 회전하는 등 임의로 조작하거나 다른 곳을 비추는 데 대해서는 형사처벌하고 있습니다.
평화적인 집회를 감시하는 공공기관 CCTV는 이러한 개인정보보호법의 규정을 위반하는 위법 행위일 뿐 아니라 정치적인 견해나 종교적인 신념과 같은 민감정보 수집을 제한하고 있는 규정도 위반하는 것입니다.
6. 한편 존엄과안전위원회 자유팀에서는 지난 8월 15일 종각집회에서 본래의 설치·운영 목적을 넘어 집회참여자를 감시한 보신각 교통 CCTV에 대해서도 법적으로 대응했던 바 있습니다. 이 소송은 민주사회를위한변호사모임 공익변론기금에서 지원하였습니다(소송대리인 양홍석 변호사).
8.15 집회참가자들이 9월 5일 CCTV 증거보전신청을 제기하고 법원이 받아들였으나, 이 CCTV 운영하는 서울경찰청은 같은 달 17일 영상이 남아 있지 않다고 답변하여 더이상의 법적 대응은 어려워 졌습니다. 경찰의 주장은 이 CCTV 영상녹화장치(DVR)의 하드 용량이 작고 노후되어(2001년식, 내구연한 5년) 10일간의 영상만 녹화되고 있다는 것이었습니다.
7. 귀 언론의 많은 관심과 보도 바랍니다. 끝.
* 문의) 유가족대책위원회 유경근 대변인(010-2061-5034),
NCCK 세월호참사대책위원회 김창현 목사(010-3462-2393),
존엄과안전위원회 장여경 활동가(02-774-4551),
세월호참사범국민대책위원회 미류 공동상황실장(010-3667-2256),
박진 공동운영위원장(010-6268-0136)
2014-10-08 11:13:25
- WCC Delegation Meets with NCCK Leadership after Visit to KCF
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The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) held a meeting with a delegation of the World Council of Churches (WCC) at the NCCK offices on October 17th, at 1:00 p.m. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the result of the WCC delegation visiting North Korea and a 2015 international consultation which will be organized in partnership with the WCC, the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), the NCCK, and the Korean Christian Federation (KCF).
Regarding the WCC visit to the KCF in Pyongyang, one member of the Methodist Church in Britain and two staff of the WCC visited Pyongyang on October 10th-13th. They met Rev. Kang Myung Chul and the staff of the KCF, and went to Bongsu Church, Chilgol Church, Bongsu Bread Factory, Family Church, and the theological seminary of the KCF. The WCC talked about building a center for social service with the KCF, and they will gradually discuss this issue with each other. Notably, they talked about the possibility of the international consultation being held in 2015. They focused on finding an appropriate time and location.
When the WCC delegation came to Seoul they shared this discussion regarding the consultation with the NCCK. The NCCK agreed to come up with a proposal for the date, venue, theme, and schedule of events for the consultation. The NCCK will share their suggestions for the conference with the WCC and the KCF, and the KCF will also submit proposals for negotiation. Above all, the theme, location and date of the conference should be confirmed as soon as possible.
2014-10-29 03:03:37
- Symposium on the Korean Church Following the Busan Assembly
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At the offices of NCCK on October 20th, the Christian Institute for the Study of Justice and Development (CISJD) hosted, in cooperation with the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), the first of a three-part series of presentations on the relevance of the Busan WCC Assembly of 2013 for the Korean Church. The CISJD hopes that this series will help to make the documents released by the WCC accessible for preachers in the pulpit.
These presentations will seek to interpret the theology and discussions of the WCC in a way that can be shared with people in the pews. This first session featured four papers by four theologians and another four theologians in response to each of those papers.
The first paper from Professor Chul, Jeon of Hanshin University addressed the subject of Christian Unity among Korean Christians since the time of the Busan Assembly. Reconciling divisions among the churches of the world has been a focus of the WCC from the time of its inception, and Professor Jeon offered suggestions for how Korean Christians can participate in this work. The next paper addressed the issue of Korean Christians engaging and living in a multi-faith society, submitted by Dr. Tae Kwan, Choi of Methodist Theological University.
After the break, the symposium heard papers from Dr. Jae Hyung Park of Hanshin University and Dr. Choong Hyun Paek of Jangshin (Presbyterian) University. Dr. Park discussed the concept of the Church as the Body of Christ, and the requisite need for a disposition toward social issues. Dr. Paek explored the significance of Trinitarian theology and how it relates to the Church’s task of working for life, justice, and peace; which harkens back to the stated theme of the Busan Assembly: “God of Life, Lead Us into Justice and Peace.”
The second session in this series will be held on November 17th at the CISJD building in Ijae Hall. The third and final session will be held on December 15th back in the Korean Christian Building 2nd floor auditorium.
2014-10-29 03:28:51
- General Secretary Greetings
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I bring greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace from the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK). We have some news of progress made in terms of peace building activities, but also continued frustration with government intransigence around the SEWOL disaster. I wish to share the good news of progress first, and then I will make a request to you, our world church partners.
This last month, a delegation of three people from the World Council of Churches (WCC) visited North Korea and the leadership of the Korean Christian Federation (KCF) in the North. After their visit, they came to Seoul and met with me and other NCCK leaders to discuss the results of their visit and share new information.
Especially, they shared the WCC and KCF interest in planning another international consultation on the peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula. We were able to share our respective hopes for the consultation, that it may be held somewhere on the Korean peninsula, and that it may be held around the time of August 15th to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Liberation Day from Japanese Occupation. This would correspond to the statement on peaceful reunification of the peninsula adopted by the WCC Busan Assembly in 2013. To that end, the NCCK International Relations Committee and the Reconciliation and Unification Committee (RUC) met together to create a joint preparation committee for the consultation. This joint committee will organize a working group to design and propose a date, venue, theme, purpose, and schedule for the consultation. We will then share this proposal with the WCC and the KCF and together negotiate between similar proposals to be submitted by the KCF.
In addition, the RUC has created a plan for future actions toward peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula. The will particularly focus on the 70th anniversary of Liberation Day with events in addition to the international consultation. One special event will be a Peace Walk that will begin on Jeju Island walking all the way up the peninsula to the border with North Korea, and hopefully to cross that border. The walk will include lectures, workshops, worship, and other special events. We hope to invite our overseas partners to join the peace walk, especially 2nd and 3rd generation Koreans living overseas. This will give them a chance to enjoy the nature and scenery of Korea, but also to understand and experience some of their history and the Korean situation to which they are related.
Finally, I would like to request a favor of you, our partner denominations around the world. If you are willing, please send in a message of encouragement and support to the families of the SEWOL disaster who continue fighting for the government to reveal the true extent of responsibility. We hope that these messages from you, along with a theological discussion regarding the significance of a SEWOL theological concept will not only encourage the families to persevere, but also inspire the world church into action to reform a global system that leads to suffering for so many. We want you join with us and lifting up what the church has to say to the forces of neo-liberalism and economic systems that place money, wealth, power, and profit as a higher priority over human rights, peace, and the health and well-being of our people. I fear that the SEWOL ferry sinking may become the metaphor for our Korean society if we do not work for transformation now. When humans seek first to amass wealth, they discard justice, peace, and human rights thus leading to disasters.
Yet Jesus told us, “Do not worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’…. but seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness….” So help us to encourage the church to three actions: 1. Weeping with the families that weep over their lost children. We must develop a close relationship with those who suffer so that we may better understand them. 2. Reveal the reality of the disaster. Reveal the attitude of the government as it dragged its heels in the rescue operation. Reveal the extent of the government decisions and policies that created a situation where this kind of disaster is more likely. 3. Have our society take responsibility where it is due, and seek transformation of systems that perpetuate unsafe environments.
Please send us what you can; messages for the families that continue to suffer, tired and lonely; also financial support for maintaining the basic needs of those devoting their entire life to this effort now; also join us in calling out the attitude of the government seeking to cover the incident hoping we will all simply forget. We will deeply appreciate anything you are able to send.
Peace to you,
Kim Young Ju, General Secretary, NCCK
2014-10-29 02:28:32
- Joint Action on Human Rights in the Korean Military
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On August 1, 2014 an incident with a huge impact on Korean society became known to the media. On the sixth of April this year, the incident of a group of Korean military service soldiers beating to death a fellow soldier was revealed to the world by the media four months after the occurrence. This incident has become one of the more important incidents in raising awareness that the situation of service in the Korean military is in a serious situation.
While the group committed the assault in the space of compulsory public service, and with the point that after the incident the destruction of evidence proceeded with the approval of commanding officers of military service, and in light of the point that the Korean military has come in inherit chronic and abusive violence, this incident has placed a stamp on the fact that our society should not be silent about the problem of human rights in the military.
3Thus, religious and civil organizations for peace and human rights along with the Human Rights Center of the National Council of Churches in Korea, established the “Joint Action for the Guarantee of Human Rights in the Military” on September, 24th 2014, and to start community activities in response to this issue of preventing the recurrence of coercive actions in the military and guaranteeing human rights.
Activities for the guaranteeing of human rights in the military will include establishing a basic law for military human rights, amending and repealing current military court law that manages military related cases in the military court, legislation for establishing a primary external monitoring mechanism for regular monitoring of the military and monitors configured to monitor the Department of Defense and the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, and plans to continue the launch of campaign activities for preserving human rights in the legislature and the military.
These activities and more will become the first steps to reforming a new military that preserves human rights, as they prevent the recurrence of widespread harassment and violence in the Korean military, making Korea’s military, which currently exists above the law, more transparent and democratic.
2014-10-29 02:37:28
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미분류
- Korea-Japan Symposium on immigrants' human rights and policy
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Churches of Korea and Japan decided to take actions in concert on racial discrimination against immigrants in Korea and hate speech against Korean residents in Japan.
The 17th Korea - Japan International Symposium on human rights and immigration policy was conducted from October 6th through the 10th in cooperation with the Justice and Peace Committee (Chairperson Huh, Won Bae) of the NCCK and the NCCJ at Aster Plaza in Hiroshima, Japan. The theme of this symposium was “Responsibility for the Future: The Reconciliation and Peace of East Asia.” Both Korea and Japan churches had very deep discussions on this subject through keynote lectures and presentations for three days.
There were two key agendas which were discussed at this symposium.The first agenda was reconciliation and peace in East Asia. The second was how to cooperate together against the discrimination and hate speeches toward immigrants and Korean residents in Japan that occur in both countries.
Japan has made a stronger rightward shift recently by amending the pacific constitution and showing actions that exercise the “right of collective self-defense.” The participants of the symposium agreed that this threatens the reconciliation and peace of East Asia, and that Japan must stop distorting the history and stop dreaming of colonization of the past. They had also agreed that the ROK-US-Japan joint military training aiming at China should be stopped immediately.
The hate speech phenomenon happening in Japan is a phenomenon where far-right organizations make absurd remarks to Korean residents in Japan such as, “Kill any Korean even good or bad; it’s okay to rape Korean women; it will not be the Nanjing Massacre, but we will have the Tsuruhashi Massacre.” This has become a social problem in Japanese society which leads to discrimination against Korean residents. Also in Korea the situation is very serious where immigrants are discriminated against and receive the pain of prejudice because of their skin color and different language. According to those problems they decided to act together to enact an anti-discrimination Law by accepting the revised recommendations of the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Therefore, Christians of Korea, Japan, and the Churches of Korean residents in Japan pledge to continue to practice the details below:
1. On behalf of reconciliation and peace in Northeast Asia, we stand against history distortions, territorial disputes, and military buildup. We urge both governments to work for justice, peace, and life, and we will take on the roles of watchmen.
2. We urge the government to enact "laws prohibiting racism" and guarantee the rights of foreign residents and social minorities.
3. We will build and promote a network to share the challenges and achievements of each other to form a church and society that save each other transcending colonialism and racism.
4. The Korea / Japan / Korean Residents in Japan Church will interact with each other and promote a program to widen peace education, the historical education, and human rights education.
5. We will recognize the preservation of the rights of foreign residents as our mission and will cooperate with other Asian churches and World churches to fulfill it.
6. We pledge to continue the cooperation of Korea and Japan and the solidarity of Christians in Japan in order to cope with this mission, and are going to hold the 18th International Symposium in Korea in 2016.
2014-10-29 03:05:18
- NCCK Special Committee on the SEWOL Disaster Holds Prayer Meetings
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NCCK Special Committee on the SEWOL Disaster Holds Prayer Meetings
160 days has already passed since the Sewol Ferry Tragedy occurred. However, a proper investigation has not been conducted. The bereaved families are still protesting at Gwanghwamun, Cheongun-dong and at the National Assembly to demand enactment of the SEWOL Special Bill guaranteeing the rights of investigation and prosecution.
On August 25, Rev. Kim Young-Ju, the General Secretary of NCCK, and members of NCCK SEWOL Ferry Tragedy Task Force visited the bereaved families who had been holding a sit-in for 4 days in front of the Cheongun-dong Community Service Center. There, Rev. Kim Young-Ju said, “From past experiences in Korean modern history, there were many truth commissions on suspicious deaths and massacres without the rights of investigation and prosecution, and we have seen how disappointing and frustrating the procedure and result of the commissions are. So, the SEWOL Special Bill must be enacted as the families are longing for this.” He also said, “I feel deeply sorry that the families took the lead in bearing the heavy burden to reveal the truth, which is not only for the victims but also for all the people in our country. Korean Churches will continue to share the burden together and be with you until the end of this struggle.” In response to Rev. Kim’s statement, Mr. Kim Jing-Ki, a father of one of the student victims said, “Thank you for your sincere solidarity. The president, Park Guen-Hye promised to reveal the truth and shed tears in May, but now she seems to have no will to do it, and her tears were crocodile tears. We will wait for her to keep her promise for 40 days, 400 days, and 4000 days.”
Since August 26, the day right after the visit, the NCCK Task Force has held a candlelit prayer gathering on the opposite side of the Cheongun-dong Community Service Center every evening at 7pm on weekdays. In this prayer gathering, not only the members of NCCK but also some Korean Evangelical groups have taken part. In the service, with the first session of the gathering, many pastors, priests, and lay people gave sermons and prayed. For the second sessions of the gathering were a time of testimony where some bereaved families and volunteers shared their stories. Many participants were touched and wept over the testimonies. A deacon, Choi Soon-Hwa, a mother of one of the student victims said, “As I’m a Christian, I always keep the word ‘forgiveness’ in my mind. Jesus, who led us in the way of truth, is the symbol of love and forgiveness. In order to forgive someone, I need to know who commits the fault first. But still we don’t know who took the lives of 304 people nor why they had to die. So I can’t start to forgive the sinner although I really want to forgive.” Another mother and Christian, Ms. Kwon Mi-Hwa said that, “Some mega churches’ pastors’ have been insulting us saying things that deeply hurt us, and I felt shame that they were a Christian. I give Thanks for the pastors who stay with us everyday and you people who hold services every evening. Through this, I could open my mind again and feel the wounds beginning to heal.” This prayer gathering will be continued as long as the families continue their sit-in there and do not give up.
On September 16, President Park spoke her mind saying that the SEWOL Special Bill is not a matter on which the President can make a decision. We can interpreted this to mean she has no will to resolve the problem and wants to deny all her responsibility over this matter. In opposition to her statement, the NCCK T.F. issued a statement. Through the statement, the NCCK asked her to feel the pain and wounds of the families first and foremost while dismissing any political calculation. And the NCCK strongly urged her to not deny her responsibility but to fulfill the promise she made in May to investigate the truth of the tragedy thoroughly and to enact the Special Law. The NCCK advised her, this is the only way to regain public trust and support. Following the teaching of the bible, “when they are weeping, weep together with them,” the NCCK will continue to be with the bereaved families as good neighbors and continue to support the work to reveal the truth as Christians with an active consciousness of faith.
Another event of the SEWOL Special Committee: Prayer Meeting at Paengmok Harbor
“We urge the enactment of the Special SEWOL Bill containing the authority to investigate and the right to prosecute,” says a placard affixed to the bus leaving Jongno-5-ga at 7am for Paengmok Harbour on Jindo Island. About thirty pastors and other Christians boarded the bus on September 12th in order to hold a prayer meeting “to honor the victims of the SEWOL disaster and hope for the rescue of missing persons.”
Having arrived at Paengmok Harbor, the participants stopped by the volunteer booth of the Jindo Association of Churches that was giving support to the families of the ten people still missing. Then they looked around the area of Paengmok Harbor, which was becoming gradually more and quieter. The original plan was to meet the families of the missing persons, hear their situation and their story, but the families refused this. Since it is six months from the accident, they said it is difficult for them to continue meeting all sorts of people.
The prayer meeting proceeded at two in the afternoon in front of the Paengmok Harbor lighthouse where people were simply waiting for the missing people to return. During the prayer meeting, Rev. Lee Seung-Yeul (Chair of NCCK Special Committee for SEWOL Disaster) said in a sermon, “The concept of justice is that God created the life of all creatures, the ecological system, and the cosmic order. As this is a core concept, we must all follow this as the law of God. Justice does not discriminate, and it shows the loving God’s grace and care to the weak who are poor, the powerless, and the have-nots.” He offered consolation by adding, “Even though it looks like the people with power in the world are controlling it according to their own will, the God of judgment will show justice at the end.”
Rev. Lee, quoting the Book of Amos, said, “When it says you should establish justice in the gate, it refers to righteous judgment. We are standing at the crossroads deciding whether to make a society of justice or to fall into a society through evil doings.” And encouraged everyone to consider that, “We need to commit and to ask ourselves one more time whether we have the confidence to be beside the victims of SEWOL ferry to the end.”
After sharing communion administered by Korean Anglican Priests, the participants held a time for intercessory prayer. We prayed, “Prayers for the victims of SEWOL ferry and their families; prayers of hope for the rescue of the missing persons of SEWOL ferry; prayers for the passage of the Special SEWOL Bill for uncovering the truth of the ferry disaster.” These prayers were led by Rev. Park Byung-Kwon (Secretary of NCCK Special Committee for SEWOL Disaster); Father Kim Dae-Sool (Korean Anglican Church Priest of Justice and Peace); and Bae Seong-Jin (Staff of PROK Justice and Peace Department).
Father Kim Dae-Sool confessed, “Forgive us, who are struggling to live our lives as we see the enormous incidents perpetrated by people who were false, Babel-tower-people, and greedy.” After which he prayed, “May the Lord who came to the scared disciples bring back the souls of the ten people to our hearts as soon as possible.”
Rev. Park Chang-Bin, who gave the benediction, called the ten people’s name one by one: “Jo Eun-Hwa; Heo Da-Yun; Hwang Ji-Hyun; Nam Hyun-Cheol; Park Young-In; Yang Seung-Jin; Ko Chang-Seok; Kwon Jae-Geun; Kwon Hyeok-Kyu; Lee Young-Sook!”; and he prayed that even though their soul is resting with God, we wish their body would come back to the waiting arms of their families as soon as possible. He prayed that the blessing of the Lord would also be with the participants who were committed until the end to being with the bereaved families suffering such sorrow.
For the second part of the event Rev. Jo Won-Sik of Jindo Shinjin Church gave testimony by sharing the story of the site of Paengmok Harbor. Since the incident on April 16th up until this point, he has been in charge of supporting the families of the SEWOL ferry. Rev. Jo said, “I heard about the SEWOL incident through the Jindo Town Hall, and I even heard that everyone was rescued so that there is no need for help from the church association. However, the situation quickly turned.” And he shared the situation at that time that, “He went to Paengmok Harbor the next day and it was filled with the anger, the pain, the tears, and the shouts of the families.”
After that almost every day he has been serving at the Paengmok Harbor and observed that, “In the beginning families were relieved that dead bodies did not come because they still hoped their kids would be rescued. However, as time passed they were thankful to receive the dead bodies.” He explained that sorrow and despair still fill the quiet Paengmok Harbor. Yet, “what I realized after spending six months at the site with the families is that the people of Korea do not really understand the situation of the families.” He shared his sadness regarding the people who talked about SEWOL only having knowledge through the media or through rumors. After that, Rev. Jang Heon-Kwon (President of Gwangju NCC) shared the testimony of participating in the court process and his hopes that the Special Bill requested by the families is established and that justice is restored.
The participants who finished the prayer meeting wrote prayers or letters longing for the rescue of the missing people and placed it in the post box next to the lighthouse, after which they went to the Jindo Gym where family members were still waiting for the missing people and spent another time in prayer. Now there are only ten missing people there are only a few volunteer organizations still around, but nearby the site is very quiet just like the quiet of people forgetting about the SEWOL ferry. Participants looked around the gym and then went up into the bus to head back to Seoul.
2014-10-10 02:13:51
- Held a Seminar on Science and Theology
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Ecumenical Education and Training Center Held a Seminar on Science and Theology
On Monday September 19th, around 150 theological post-grad students from six different seminaries gathered at Songkonghoe University for an afternoon of lectures and discussion around the theme: “How Do We Preach Science?” The Association for Theological Institutions chose this theme for the event to recognize the significance of science for our lives as Christians, but also to respond to the growth of atheists such as Richard Dawkins and anti-science Christians who tell us that science and theology are mutually exclusive. They completed the evening with an additional discussion on the theological significance of the SEWOL disaster and with a worship remembering the victims.
After a welcome and greetings, the event began in earnest with a lecture by Professor Hyun Woo-Shik of Hoseo University, entitled: “Why Theology and Science?” He detailed how important it is for theologians and pastors to engage science in their theology and their preaching. We should not avoid science as if it were an enemy; in fact we need science to ground us in the experience of our community and the world.
Second, they held a panel discussion with Father Kim Ki-Seok of Songkonghoe University and Professor Chun Chul of Hanshin University which continued the exploration of science and faith. Next, theological students from several universities gave a series of TED talks on including science in our confession as Christians.
Having completed dinner, participants joined in an art concert illustrating our need to proclaim that God remembers the victims of the SEWOL disaster. Lee Doo-Seong gave a mime performance to remember the victims, and this led the participants into a time of worship. This was a memorial service for the SEWOL victims, under the theme: “Yahweh, Please Remember.” The worship was planned and led by students from six different theological institutions in Korea.
2014-10-10 02:26:42
- Debates and Worship to Celebrate the NCCK 90th Anniversary
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90th Anniversary Worship
A service to commemorate the 90th anniversary of NCCK was held at the Salvation Army Building in Seoul, Korea, under the theme, “The Trembling Church, Again into the Wilderness,” where more than 300 people came together to celebrate the 90th anniversary and agreed to work for the realization of social reform through reform and change, starting from this service.
The worship began with a hymn, confessing that God is our creator while the representatives and those in charge of the service followed the cross and the bible to the front. Along with nine strikes of a gong symbolizing the 90 years of history of the NCCK that is offered to God, all participants confessed their sin of not living by the words of God, trying their best to make the church the cradle of life.
Representatives of the NCCK member denominations came to the front singing a hymn about the Glory of God and looked back upon its history under the themes of Youth, Consistency, Females, Justice, Human Rights, Peace, Diversity, and Life and proclaimed the next new 10 years. After that, 22 workers who were fired by SsangYong Motors presented a special hymn. After the song Mr. Kim Deuk Jung, one of the fired workers said that NCCK always gave him strength and help to fight against the company during such a harsh time.
A special presentation was made during the Offering. They offered postcards full of prayers for encouragement and consolation which were collected not only from the family members of the victims of the Sewol Ferry, people suffering from the transmission tower construction in Milyang and Chungdo, villagers of Gangjung, people with disabilities, immigrant workers, and workers of Ssangyong Motors, but also from those people attending the service indicating that all of them will listen to the voices of suffering people.
Kim Young Ju, General Secretary of NCCK, said at the press conference before the service that NCCK will keep doing its best for the cooperation of the denominations and that they have to come together to make one voice. He also said that he will consider how the church can be better used as a tool of God preparing for the 100th anniversary.
90th Anniversary Debates
On September 12th the NCCK 90 Anniversary debate was held with the topic, “the history and change of the Korean Church in International Relations, and the challenges of the future.” The purpose of this debate was to seek many different ways to approach the right direction of the Korean Church in international relationships and solidarity with the world church.
The debate was divided into several themes. Prof. Lee, Hae-Young (Faculty of Hanshin University) presented the “Theory of East Asia and Progress,” and Prof. Park, Chang-Hyun presented the “Contribution of the Korean Church in World Mission.” “The Missionary Task of the Ecumenical Movement” was presented by Lee Yoon-Hee, Secretary-General of the National Federation of the Korean YMCA.
Professor Park Chang-Hyeon (Methodist Theological University) pointed out the reason why the growth of the Church in Korea has stopped. He said that it’s because it lost its credibility for itself, and so the church must be proactive in communicating with the society.
He also said that the Korean Church lives only inside the church and does not relate to the society and the world; instead of following the words, “you will be my witnesses to the end of the world”(Act 1:8). He emphasized the need for communicating with the society by giving an example of the action of Pope Francis who had cried, laughed, and stayed with the poor and the alienated. Professor Park saw, in this action, the one Church in God.
Executive Director Lee said in her presentation that the ecumenical movement must be a tool for life, justice, and peace in order to make God’s rule and order and that this must be secured. She also mentioned that if we cannot recover the essence of the ecumenical movement, its future will be very negative. He said, “Most Korean churches adjust themselves to the 세상적 질서 (“worldly order”), such as material greed, and we have to struggle with this task as to how we can overcome it.”
2014-10-10 02:01:50
