General Synod resolution asks church to advocate for unifying Korean peninsula

[Disir]

It's been more than 60 years since the conclusion of the Korean War and 70 years since Korean independence from Japanese occupation, but the Asian peninsula — and the people who call that land their home — is still divided. A proposed General Synod resolution calls the wider United Church of Christ to work for the reunification of North Korea and South Korea and express support for peace and the people of Korea.

The resolution "A Call for Peace, Justice and Reunification in the Korean Peninsula" seeks to renew a call for the church to reconcile the split during the Cold War and re-unify the divided peninsula and its people. It also calls on political leaders to "commit to sign a final peace treaty ending the Korean War, and to turn from policies of militarization and confrontation between North and South Korea." Delegates will consider the proposal when General Synod 30 convenes from June 26 to 30 in Cleveland.

"It would have the UCC join our partners in Korea and around the world, and many policy analysts, in saying that the time is overdue for a shift in U.S. policy on Korea, away from absolute isolation of the North and rampant militarization of the South, to one that seeks greater engagement and exchange between North and South Korea, the U.S. and regional partners," said Derek Duncan, associate for global advocacy and education.

In addition to advocacy efforts, the resolution also calls upon UCC members and congregations to "accompany our partners in Korea by praying for peace with the peoples and churches of Korea, recognizing the Sunday before August 15, Korean Independence Day, as the 'Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula.'"
General Synod resolution asks church to advocate for unifying Korean peninsula - United Church of Christ

What? No more bad guy? It won't happen.

 

[FA_Q2]

Being that north Korea is one of the most oppressive and horrific regimes on the face of the planet I am not sure what they mean by a 'unified' Korea.

Do you really think that North Korea is going to change? What 'shift' in US policy do you see that does not end up with a unified Korea under the norther regime?

 

[Disir]

A peace treaty.

We won't see reunification of the peninsula in our lifetimes. It won't happen. Although, there have been calls for it periodically. I don't see it existing unless it is under North Korea.

There needs to be a peace treaty that allows the people to be able to meet without having to jump through hoops.

This comes up usually around every arranged meeting time.
Divided families from North South Korea meet after six decades - CNN.com


South Korean relatives tearful as family return to North Korea after reunion Daily Mail Online

 

[Picaro]

Being that north Korea is one of the most oppressive and horrific regimes on the face of the planet..

Most communist regimes are. Christianity is very hard to stamp out where ever it takes root. Even Stalin couldn't get rid of it entirely, and the Chinese CP is currently having serious problems trying to contain it there. It's now has the largest bible publisher in the world, despite the numerous crackdowns. Christianity is taking off all over Asia, even as it declines in the West. It's too superior a philosophy compared to the alternatives; that's why it's lasted so long, it has mass appeal.

Do you really think that North Korea is going to change? What 'shift' in US policy do you see that does not end up with a unified Korea under the norther regime?

They're on life support now; sooner or later Red China will tire of propping up the current regime, and S. Korea is no longer much of an existential threat the CP in China. When it changes is anybody's guess, it depends on China's geo-political needs. It will be the Christian churches in S. Korea that will be in the vanguard of major cultural and social change when the North finally collapses.

 

[Avatar4321]

No one expected east and west Germany to reunite in their lifetime a year before the Berlin wall fell. With God all things are possible.

My question is what does the church calling for this intend to do to make it happen?

 

[Blackrook]

North Korea cannot sustain itself much longer. It will collapse very quickly, just as other Communist regimes have in Eastern Europe and even in Russia.

 

[FA_Q2]

No one expected east and west Germany to reunite in their lifetime a year before the Berlin wall fell. With God all things are possible.

My question is what does the church calling for this intend to do to make it happen?

The possibility is there but the OP was calling for a shift in the US policy as a step in achieving this. That is not really a possibility unless the region is surrendered to the northern government.
Again, I ask what shift in policy do they want to happen? North Korea is not really open to reasonable peace considering they are the most militarized nation on earth.

 

[FA_Q2]

North Korea cannot sustain itself much longer. It will collapse very quickly, just as other Communist regimes have in Eastern Europe and even in Russia.

I doubt that.
The amount of control they exercise over their populous is insane. They cannot be successful but neither are they on the brink. The situation there is really disgusting.

 

[there4eyeM]

Rigidity means fragility; the slightest crack, and it's over.
This régime could fall suddenly and completely, or it could take time. Praying for it is probably better than attacking it head-on, and I mean that sincerely, even if one does not believe in the power of prayer..

 

[Correll]

It's been more than 60 years since the conclusion of the Korean War and 70 years since Korean independence from Japanese occupation, but the Asian peninsula — and the people who call that land their home — is still divided. A proposed General Synod resolution calls the wider United Church of Christ to work for the reunification of North Korea and South Korea and express support for peace and the people of Korea.

The resolution "A Call for Peace, Justice and Reunification in the Korean Peninsula" seeks to renew a call for the church to reconcile the split during the Cold War and re-unify the divided peninsula and its people. It also calls on political leaders to "commit to sign a final peace treaty ending the Korean War, and to turn from policies of militarization and confrontation between North and South Korea." Delegates will consider the proposal when General Synod 30 convenes from June 26 to 30 in Cleveland.

"It would have the UCC join our partners in Korea and around the world, and many policy analysts, in saying that the time is overdue for a shift in U.S. policy on Korea, away from absolute isolation of the North and rampant militarization of the South, to one that seeks greater engagement and exchange between North and South Korea, the U.S. and regional partners," said Derek Duncan, associate for global advocacy and education.

In addition to advocacy efforts, the resolution also calls upon UCC members and congregations to "accompany our partners in Korea by praying for peace with the peoples and churches of Korea, recognizing the Sunday before August 15, Korean Independence Day, as the 'Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula.'"
General Synod resolution asks church to advocate for unifying Korean peninsula - United Church of Christ

What? No more bad guy? It won't happen.

Right. Because AMERICAN policy is the problem....

 

[Disir]

No one expected east and west Germany to reunite in their lifetime a year before the Berlin wall fell. With God all things are possible.

My question is what does the church calling for this intend to do to make it happen?

The possibility is there but the OP was calling for a shift in the US policy as a step in achieving this. That is not really a possibility unless the region is surrendered to the northern government.
Again, I ask what shift in policy do they want to happen? North Korea is not really open to reasonable peace considering they are the most militarized nation on earth.

2. Furthermore, we commit ourselves to take actions to:

• a) Work with our governments to mandate the United Nations Security Council to initiate new efforts for peace-building across the Korean Peninsula and to lift the existing economic and financial sanctions imposed on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea;

• b) Embark upon a universal campaign for a Peace Treaty to replace the Armistice Agreement of 1953, bringing an end to the state of war;

• c) Call upon all foreign powers in the region to participate in a creative process for building peace on the Korean peninsula by halting all military exercises on the Korean peninsula, by ceasing their interventions and reducing military expenditures;

• d) Ensure the complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination of all nuclear weapons and power plants in -North East Asia, by taking steps to establish a Nuclear-Free World and simultaneously joining the emerging international consensus for a humanitarian ban on nuclear weapons in all regions of the world, so that life is no longer threatened by nuclear dangers anywhere on earth;

• e) Urge the governments in both North and South Korea to restore human community with justice and human dignity by overcoming injustice and confrontation, and to heal human community by urgently addressing the humanitarian issue of separated families, by establishing a sustainable process allowing confirmation of the whereabouts of family members and free exchanges of letters and visits, and by offering the support of international agencies where necessary; and
• f) Work with the governments of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea in providing international cooperation to maintain a truly Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and transform it into a zone of peace.
• Statement on Korean Reunification by the World Council of Churches

 

[Avatar4321]

Saying things won't necessarily change anything.

Perhaps we should be appealing to a higher power.

 

[Picaro]

Saying things won't necessarily change anything.

Perhaps we should be appealing to a higher power.

Elvis?

 

[Correll]

No one expected east and west Germany to reunite in their lifetime a year before the Berlin wall fell. With God all things are possible.

My question is what does the church calling for this intend to do to make it happen?

The possibility is there but the OP was calling for a shift in the US policy as a step in achieving this. That is not really a possibility unless the region is surrendered to the northern government.
Again, I ask what shift in policy do they want to happen? North Korea is not really open to reasonable peace considering they are the most militarized nation on earth.

2. Furthermore, we commit ourselves to take actions to:

• a) Work with our governments to mandate the United Nations Security Council to initiate new efforts for peace-building across the Korean Peninsula and to lift the existing economic and financial sanctions imposed on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea;

• b) Embark upon a universal campaign for a Peace Treaty to replace the Armistice Agreement of 1953, bringing an end to the state of war;

• c) Call upon all foreign powers in the region to participate in a creative process for building peace on the Korean peninsula by halting all military exercises on the Korean peninsula, by ceasing their interventions and reducing military expenditures;

• d) Ensure the complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination of all nuclear weapons and power plants in -North East Asia, by taking steps to establish a Nuclear-Free World and simultaneously joining the emerging international consensus for a humanitarian ban on nuclear weapons in all regions of the world, so that life is no longer threatened by nuclear dangers anywhere on earth;

• e) Urge the governments in both North and South Korea to restore human community with justice and human dignity by overcoming injustice and confrontation, and to heal human community by urgently addressing the humanitarian issue of separated families, by establishing a sustainable process allowing confirmation of the whereabouts of family members and free exchanges of letters and visits, and by offering the support of international agencies where necessary; and
• f) Work with the governments of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea in providing international cooperation to maintain a truly Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and transform it into a zone of peace.
• Statement on Korean Reunification by the World Council of Churches

Are they TRYING to make themselves look ridiculous and irrelevant?

 

[FA_Q2]

No one expected east and west Germany to reunite in their lifetime a year before the Berlin wall fell. With God all things are possible.

My question is what does the church calling for this intend to do to make it happen?

The possibility is there but the OP was calling for a shift in the US policy as a step in achieving this. That is not really a possibility unless the region is surrendered to the northern government.
Again, I ask what shift in policy do they want to happen? North Korea is not really open to reasonable peace considering they are the most militarized nation on earth.

2. Furthermore, we commit ourselves to take actions to:

• a) Work with our governments to mandate the United Nations Security Council to initiate new efforts for peace-building across the Korean Peninsula and to lift the existing economic and financial sanctions imposed on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea;

• b) Embark upon a universal campaign for a Peace Treaty to replace the Armistice Agreement of 1953, bringing an end to the state of war;

• c) Call upon all foreign powers in the region to participate in a creative process for building peace on the Korean peninsula by halting all military exercises on the Korean peninsula, by ceasing their interventions and reducing military expenditures;

• d) Ensure the complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination of all nuclear weapons and power plants in -North East Asia, by taking steps to establish a Nuclear-Free World and simultaneously joining the emerging international consensus for a humanitarian ban on nuclear weapons in all regions of the world, so that life is no longer threatened by nuclear dangers anywhere on earth;

• e) Urge the governments in both North and South Korea to restore human community with justice and human dignity by overcoming injustice and confrontation, and to heal human community by urgently addressing the humanitarian issue of separated families, by establishing a sustainable process allowing confirmation of the whereabouts of family members and free exchanges of letters and visits, and by offering the support of international agencies where necessary; and
• f) Work with the governments of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea in providing international cooperation to maintain a truly Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and transform it into a zone of peace.
• Statement on Korean Reunification by the World Council of Churches

Lots of platitude no real points. Lift the economic sanctions? IN an attempt to accomplish what? Do you really think that the north will be more open to the world when there is less pressure to do so?

Nuclear de-arming of North East Asia? WTF does that have to do with normalizing relations with Korea? How does that help with the nuclear situation there where the button is controlled by a dictator?

This list contains no real solutions other than removing the sanctions and to be frank, I don't see how that is a step forward when the north is not willing to change anything.

 

[amrchaos]

I think it is better to wait for the North Korean Govt to collapse. Of course China is against this because that will mean millions of Koreans jumping their border to escape the disaster.

Negotiate with North Korea? There is a lot of optimism in those words.

 

[amrchaos]

I guess the real point that is missing is "Who will rule United Korea?"

Until that question is answered, you can forget any talk about Unification.

 

[Disir]

No one expected east and west Germany to reunite in their lifetime a year before the Berlin wall fell. With God all things are possible.

My question is what does the church calling for this intend to do to make it happen?

The possibility is there but the OP was calling for a shift in the US policy as a step in achieving this. That is not really a possibility unless the region is surrendered to the northern government.
Again, I ask what shift in policy do they want to happen? North Korea is not really open to reasonable peace considering they are the most militarized nation on earth.

2. Furthermore, we commit ourselves to take actions to:

• a) Work with our governments to mandate the United Nations Security Council to initiate new efforts for peace-building across the Korean Peninsula and to lift the existing economic and financial sanctions imposed on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea;

• b) Embark upon a universal campaign for a Peace Treaty to replace the Armistice Agreement of 1953, bringing an end to the state of war;

• c) Call upon all foreign powers in the region to participate in a creative process for building peace on the Korean peninsula by halting all military exercises on the Korean peninsula, by ceasing their interventions and reducing military expenditures;

• d) Ensure the complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination of all nuclear weapons and power plants in -North East Asia, by taking steps to establish a Nuclear-Free World and simultaneously joining the emerging international consensus for a humanitarian ban on nuclear weapons in all regions of the world, so that life is no longer threatened by nuclear dangers anywhere on earth;

• e) Urge the governments in both North and South Korea to restore human community with justice and human dignity by overcoming injustice and confrontation, and to heal human community by urgently addressing the humanitarian issue of separated families, by establishing a sustainable process allowing confirmation of the whereabouts of family members and free exchanges of letters and visits, and by offering the support of international agencies where necessary; and
• f) Work with the governments of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea in providing international cooperation to maintain a truly Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and transform it into a zone of peace.
• Statement on Korean Reunification by the World Council of Churches

Lots of platitude no real points. Lift the economic sanctions? IN an attempt to accomplish what? Do you really think that the north will be more open to the world when there is less pressure to do so?

Nuclear de-arming of North East Asia? WTF does that have to do with normalizing relations with Korea? How does that help with the nuclear situation there where the button is controlled by a dictator?

This list contains no real solutions other than removing the sanctions and to be frank, I don't see how that is a step forward when the north is not willing to change anything.

First of all, I'm not sure why you would expect more from this group. The vast majority of their writings contain bible verses as justification.

By the same token, I'm not sure what you think economic sanctions have accomplished or why you think you have the right to force a country to be more "open to the world". If ever there was a platitude that would be it.

The people didn't ask for this. The US have any real need of South Korea. It's a buffer state.

 

[Correll]

No one expected east and west Germany to reunite in their lifetime a year before the Berlin wall fell. With God all things are possible.

My question is what does the church calling for this intend to do to make it happen?

The possibility is there but the OP was calling for a shift in the US policy as a step in achieving this. That is not really a possibility unless the region is surrendered to the northern government.
Again, I ask what shift in policy do they want to happen? North Korea is not really open to reasonable peace considering they are the most militarized nation on earth.

2. Furthermore, we commit ourselves to take actions to:

• a) Work with our governments to mandate the United Nations Security Council to initiate new efforts for peace-building across the Korean Peninsula and to lift the existing economic and financial sanctions imposed on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea;

• b) Embark upon a universal campaign for a Peace Treaty to replace the Armistice Agreement of 1953, bringing an end to the state of war;

• c) Call upon all foreign powers in the region to participate in a creative process for building peace on the Korean peninsula by halting all military exercises on the Korean peninsula, by ceasing their interventions and reducing military expenditures;

• d) Ensure the complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination of all nuclear weapons and power plants in -North East Asia, by taking steps to establish a Nuclear-Free World and simultaneously joining the emerging international consensus for a humanitarian ban on nuclear weapons in all regions of the world, so that life is no longer threatened by nuclear dangers anywhere on earth;

• e) Urge the governments in both North and South Korea to restore human community with justice and human dignity by overcoming injustice and confrontation, and to heal human community by urgently addressing the humanitarian issue of separated families, by establishing a sustainable process allowing confirmation of the whereabouts of family members and free exchanges of letters and visits, and by offering the support of international agencies where necessary; and
• f) Work with the governments of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea in providing international cooperation to maintain a truly Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and transform it into a zone of peace.
• Statement on Korean Reunification by the World Council of Churches

Lots of platitude no real points. Lift the economic sanctions? IN an attempt to accomplish what? Do you really think that the north will be more open to the world when there is less pressure to do so?

Nuclear de-arming of North East Asia? WTF does that have to do with normalizing relations with Korea? How does that help with the nuclear situation there where the button is controlled by a dictator?

This list contains no real solutions other than removing the sanctions and to be frank, I don't see how that is a step forward when the north is not willing to change anything.

First of all, I'm not sure why you would expect more from this group. The vast majority of their writings contain bible verses as justification.

By the same token, I'm not sure what you think economic sanctions have accomplished or why you think you have the right to force a country to be more "open to the world". If ever there was a platitude that would be it.

The people didn't ask for this. The US have any real need of South Korea. It's a buffer state.

The fact that "the vast majority of their writings contain bible verses as justification" is not reason to expect their stated goals to be the crap we saw here.

THat is nothing but your negative opinion of religious people.

THe US has no need of South Korea at this point. Our alliance with them is a relic of the Cold War.

 

[Disir]

No one expected east and west Germany to reunite in their lifetime a year before the Berlin wall fell. With God all things are possible.

My question is what does the church calling for this intend to do to make it happen?

The possibility is there but the OP was calling for a shift in the US policy as a step in achieving this. That is not really a possibility unless the region is surrendered to the northern government.
Again, I ask what shift in policy do they want to happen? North Korea is not really open to reasonable peace considering they are the most militarized nation on earth.

2. Furthermore, we commit ourselves to take actions to:

• a) Work with our governments to mandate the United Nations Security Council to initiate new efforts for peace-building across the Korean Peninsula and to lift the existing economic and financial sanctions imposed on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea;

• b) Embark upon a universal campaign for a Peace Treaty to replace the Armistice Agreement of 1953, bringing an end to the state of war;

• c) Call upon all foreign powers in the region to participate in a creative process for building peace on the Korean peninsula by halting all military exercises on the Korean peninsula, by ceasing their interventions and reducing military expenditures;

• d) Ensure the complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination of all nuclear weapons and power plants in -North East Asia, by taking steps to establish a Nuclear-Free World and simultaneously joining the emerging international consensus for a humanitarian ban on nuclear weapons in all regions of the world, so that life is no longer threatened by nuclear dangers anywhere on earth;

• e) Urge the governments in both North and South Korea to restore human community with justice and human dignity by overcoming injustice and confrontation, and to heal human community by urgently addressing the humanitarian issue of separated families, by establishing a sustainable process allowing confirmation of the whereabouts of family members and free exchanges of letters and visits, and by offering the support of international agencies where necessary; and
• f) Work with the governments of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea in providing international cooperation to maintain a truly Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and transform it into a zone of peace.
• Statement on Korean Reunification by the World Council of Churches

Lots of platitude no real points. Lift the economic sanctions? IN an attempt to accomplish what? Do you really think that the north will be more open to the world when there is less pressure to do so?

Nuclear de-arming of North East Asia? WTF does that have to do with normalizing relations with Korea? How does that help with the nuclear situation there where the button is controlled by a dictator?

This list contains no real solutions other than removing the sanctions and to be frank, I don't see how that is a step forward when the north is not willing to change anything.

First of all, I'm not sure why you would expect more from this group. The vast majority of their writings contain bible verses as justification.

By the same token, I'm not sure what you think economic sanctions have accomplished or why you think you have the right to force a country to be more "open to the world". If ever there was a platitude that would be it.

The people didn't ask for this. The US have any real need of South Korea. It's a buffer state.

The fact that "the vast majority of their writings contain bible verses as justification" is not reason to expect their stated goals to be the crap we saw here.

THat is nothing but your negative opinion of religious people.

THe US has no need of South Korea at this point. Our alliance with them is a relic of the Cold War.

Correll, I appreciate that you want to go 'round. But, you need to really get an argument together. I'm not the one demonstrating a negative opinion of religious people here. That's you.