Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – The Church in Korea has once again launched the campaign for the abolition of the death penalty in the country, through an awareness campaign entitled: “The way of life, our way,” organized by the Sub-Committee for the Abolition of the Death Penalty, part of the Bishops' Commission for Justice and Peace.
On the occasion of the “World Day Against the Death Penalty,” celebrated this past October 10, the Commission joined the abolitionist rally being held in countries throughout the world, along with other NGOs and international associations. In particular, the various religious groups formed a “Pan-religion Union for the abolition of the Death Penalty,” formed by representatives from 7 religious communities (Christian and non alike).
After the celebration of this World Day, the Justice and Peace Commission launched their awareness campaign in schools and in other sectors of Korean society.
The Executive Secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission, Fr. Thaddaeus Lee Ki-rak, said, “The only way to reduce crime is a constant effort from the government to protect citizens, changing the culture of death and violence into a culture of life. The abolition of the death penalty will be the first step towards a society that fully respects human rights.”
The assembly of religious groups has officially asked the government to abolish the death penalty from the Korean penal code and substitute it with the sentence of life in prison. “The owner of human life is God. Life, a gift from God, cannot depend on a human decision. We ask that this bill for the abolition of the death penalty may be passed as soon as possible in Parliament.”
Having ceased to ordain or carry out capital punishment in the past 10 years, the Republic of South Korea became a “de facto abolitionist” nation in 2007, although formally speaking, the death penalty remains present in the country's judicial guidelines. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 26/10/2009)
