The Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Development Cooperation on the Korean peninsula

its 2nd meeting

1. Name: The 2nd meeting of the Ecumenical Consortium for Peace-Building and Social Development on the Korean peninsula

2. Date: February 7-8, 2008

3. Place: The Protestant Academy in Arnoldshain, Germany

4. Participants :

International representatives

WCC Dr. Mathews George Chunakara (Asia and Human Rights)

Rev. Keum Jooseop, (Mission and Evangelism)

CCA Mr. Tony Waworuntu (Justice, International affairs, Development Service)

Canada Ms. Bern Jagunos (Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations)

Mr. Erich Weingartner (Consultant specializing in the DPRK)

Germany Rev. Paul Oppenheim (Ecumenical Relations, EKD)

Rev. Uliche Schmidt-Hesse(Mission and Partnership of EMS)

Mr. Lutz Drescher (East Asia, EMS)

Rev. Detlev Knoche (Development and Partnership, Hessen & Nassau Church)

Ms. Stefanie Elbern (South East and East Asia, and Pacific Area, EED)

England: Mr. Michael King(British Methodist Church)

Switzerland: Ms. Doris Ghros(Partnership in Asia, Mission 21 in Basel)

USA: Rev. Victor Hsu (World Vision International, DPRK)

Rev. Derek Duncan(Global Misnistry, UCC-USA and CC(DC)

Rev. Kim Jong Sung(Ecangelization and Church Growth, United Methodist Church)

Mr. James Reilly (China and DPRK, Amerian Friends Service Committee)

Korean Christian Federation in North Korea

Rev. Kang, Young-Sup (Chairperson of Central Committee, KCF)

Rev. Ri, Jong-Ro(International Affairs, KCF)

Mr. Kim, Tae-Jun(Mission Department, KCF)

Churches in South Korea

Rev. Kwon, Oh-Sung(General Secretary of NCCK),

Rev. Lee, Chong-Bok(Chair of Unification Committee, NCCK),

Rev. Kim, Gab-Sik(Chair of Unification Committee, PCK),

Rev. Kim, Jong-Seng(General Secretary of Society and Service, PCK),

Rev. Jeon, Yong-Ho(General Secretary of Seobu Conference, KMC),

Rev. Lee, Sang-Youn(General Secretary of Korean Christian Service, KMC)

Rev. Yoon, Kil-Soo (General Secretary, PROK)

Rev. Rah, Heak-Jip (Representative of Peace Community Movement, PROK)

Major Hwang, Sun-Yup(Coordinator, North Korea Mission, Salvation Army in Korea)

Pastor Kim, Gwang-Joon(General Secretary, Anglican Church of Korea),

Rev. Chi, Kwan-Hae(Stated Clerk, Evangelical Church of Korea),

Rev. Lee, Sam Yong(General Secretary, Korean Assemblies of God)

Rev. Hwang, Phil-Kyu(Director of Justice and Peace, NCCK)

Rev. Chae, Heawon (Coordinator, Ecumenical Forum for Korea)

Observer: Switzerland: Mr. Daniel Gerster (Agricultural Adviser, Agape International)

Germany: Mr. Yoon Sung-Min (Student of Heidelberg University)

On February 7-8, 2008 in Arnoldshain(Germany) "Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Development Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula" (referred to hereafter as the Ecumenical Forum) was held as its 2nd meeting, attended by 35 participants representing churches and ecumenical bodies around the world including KNCC, KCF, CCA, WCC, and from Germany, Canada, United States, England and Switzerland.

The most significant feature in this meeting was to form a world-wide network for peace, reunification and development cooperation on the Korean peninsula especially through the participation of representatives from KCF and WCC which were not participating at the first meeting in Hong Kong. For the future direction of the Forum, the participation of the KCF as one of core members of the Forum for development cooperation is very significant. As well 14 Korean representatives from 7 member churches of NCCK have participated and expressed their commitment to the Forum.

At this meeting we have changed its name into "the Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Development Cooperation on the Korean peninsula." It is for to make it clear that the Forum encompasses the importance of a world-wide network for development cooperation in the North as one column, as well as world churches" effort for peace and unification on the Korean peninsula in the solidarity with WCC, CCA, and other ecumenical bodies in continuation with the spirit of the Tozanso process as the other column. The term of "forum" instead of "consortium" is understood as more inclusive to make ecumenical bodies" participation into the forum reasonable.

At its first meeting in Hong Kong, we have shared the common understanding of that the problem of poverty in North Korea could not be resolved only by emergency humanitarian support began with severe flood and various disasters in the North since 1995, and of that the last over 10 years supports to North Korea which have been characterized by lack of information sharing, mutual cooperation and process of common evaluation, resulting in loss of trust, wasteful duplication and money-centered support. Therefore this Forum has taken its first step with common tasks which call us to share information and experiences in relation to North Korea and to plan effective projects in long term base and in mutual trust building through world-wide ecumenical network.

Regarding common project, the steering group, which will be newly consisted in May, is expected to take responsibility to deal. The steering group is consisted of 8 representatives from NCCK, KCF, CCA, WCC as well as from NCCJ on behalf of North East Asia, United Church of Canada on behalf of North America, Methodist Church in Britain, EKD/EED on behalf of Europe.

In the final Statement the Ecumenical Forum appealed " to Christians around the world to be in wholehearted solidarity with the efforts of the Korean nation towards achieving reunification, based on the principles of ensuring "co-existence, co-prosperity and common interests" and to be fully involved in development cooperation.

As you have been already informed, at the same place and just before the Forum there was a Korean-German Seminar on Peace, Unification and Social Development on the Korean peninsula(Feb. 5-7th), which was organized by German churches. It was an over 100 participants attending wonderful gathering for us to seek churches" role today for the Korean peninsula as well as to share experiences in relation to DPRK supports.

For your better understanding, I am enclosing some documents with this report:

1. the newly revised "Terms of Reference" of "The Ecumenical Forum for Korea"

2. Statement adopted by participants of the Forum.

3. Time table of "the Forum"

4. (only for participants) Draft of Minutes which was made by Mrs. Bern Jagunos with her hard work. It is needed to be checked by each of participants. Please give attention to it and feel free to make comments and send me your wording to add and revise.