Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Korean peninsula is divided into North Korea and South Korea, two very different nations, for many years hostile - the former a pro-Chinese communist state, the latter a capitalist country, pro-United States. These two nations are the result of World War II and the Korean War. When the Japanese Empire was defeated in 1945, the peninsula was divided into zones which today are still formally at war, one north of the del 38th line of latitude occupied by the Soviet Union, the other south of the 38th line of latitude occupied by the United States.
There was some rapprochement in 2000. In Pyongyang the south Korean president Roh Moo-hyun was welcomed by his north Korean counterpart Kim Jong Il. Roh Moo-hyun crossed the border line between the two Koreas on foot walking on a yellow carpet bearing the words “peace and prosperity”. He spoke about “removing a curtain of division which has inflicted vast suffering on the whole nation”. The event gave rise to new hopes for national reconciliation. Some newspapers said that at last peace had broken out between South Korea and North Korea. They are in fact one country. Both peoples think of themselves as Korean, the language they both speak is Korean, and both claim to represent the whole of Korea. Sadly those hopes were dashed for various reasons, particularly N. Korea's decision to equip itself with nuclear weapons. However its recent decision to renounce a nuclear programme, has restarted the process of peace and reconciliation, possible only if both Koreas put the good of their respective peoples before any particular interests, recognising and respecting basic human rights.
In this process Korea's Christians have an important role to play. They are called to announce the unity of the family of God and to work to promote reconciliation and unity among the two divided and conflicting peoples. Christians in South Korea, a large religious minority with full freedom, are called to evangelise the political-social structures, and to be as Church, an effective sign of communion. They must introduce at the roots of their society, those Gospel values of solidarity, non violence, forgiveness which are the identity card of the People of God. They must overcome division, with the power of Christ, “For He is the peace between us, and has made the two into one entity and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, by destroying in his own person the hostility” (Eph. 2, 14).
North Korean Christians are still subject to persecution which appears to be ever harsher. Those who can, escape to China. What is more, all the people in North Korean suffer from hunger, lack of healthcare, oppression by a totalitarian regime, with no respect for human rights. In view of national reconciliation, all this suffering is a treasure.
We as Christians, nourish the hope that God in Christ leads and saves the history of all humanity and of all peoples. As disciples of Christ Cristo we must show solidarity and share the joys and hopes, anguish and pain of all men and women, our brothers and sisters, wherever they are. Let us pray the Lord will change the hearts of the leaders of the two Koreas, so they will continue to search for paths to reconciliation and peace and may soon be once again, one free people. (Fr. Vito Del Prete, PIME) (Agenzia Fides 6/11/2007, righe 39, parole 571)
