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We shall gather the nation’s power and work for national reunification.
Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).
Today we commemorate the 96th anniversary of the March 1st Independent Movement. On this day in 1919 our nation stood up all together against Japan’s colonial rule and cried out, “Independence of Chosun!”
Our nation clearly showed the world the autonomy of Korean people through this Independent Movement which led to the people’s strong struggle against Japan’s imperialism and eventually to the nation’s revival and independence.
Our nation however had to experience national division immediately after Independence because of the foreign powers’ interest. We have been suffering from national division for seventy years. We are in danger of approaching a permanent division.
The dearest wish of our ancestors who cried out for national independence on March 1st and resisted putting their lives in danger has not been achieved.
We must live into the spirit of the March 1st Independent Movement and the legacy of our ancestors who courageously stood up against Japan’s colonial rule. We must accomplish a national reunification that should be the second independence as early as possible.
The national reunification in the Korean peninsula that can realize true national autonomy cannot be granted by outside powers but must be accomplished by the people in the two Koreas.
Christians in the two Koreas here testify to the promise of peace given by our Lord, Jesus Christ with one voice for the future of a reunified Korea.
This year we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of Independence from Japan’s colonial rule as the result of the March 1st Independent Movement. Christians of the two Koreas hereby announce our strong will to overcome national division and work together for national reunification based on reconciliation and unity.
1.We strongly resist Japan’s attempt to revive its imperialism by nullifying the Peace Constitution, distorting history and insisting on its territorial right over Dokdo. We will work together in solidarity to obstruct Japan’s attempt.
2.We oppose military exercises in cooperation with foreign forces that are against our nation. We will pray for peace in the Korean peninsula with one voice and make every effort to ease tension.
3.We will make efforts to stop the US from exercising hostile policies against North Korea and obstructing a peace agreement and relational improvement between the two Koreas.
4.We will jointly work for making necessary conditions to discontinue all systemic obstacles and hostile actions that aggravate confrontation and tension between the two Koreas such as South Korea’s May 24th Measures and South Koreans’ airdrop campaigns of anti-North Korean leaflets. We will make efforts to bring great changes and reforms to the relationship of the two Koreas, and resume the reunion of divided families.
This year we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of Independence and at the same time, another 70th anniversary of national division. Jesus Christ, Lord of peace asks us to unify seventy million people in the Korean peninsula and accomplish national reunification on this day that commemorates the March 1st Independent Movement. We, Christians in the two Koreas become one in the name of Jesus Christ and respond to Jesus Christ’s call for national reunification with faith and enthusiasm.
March 1st, 2015
Korean Christian Federation Central Committee National Council of Churches in Korea
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