SEOUL (UCAN): Korea’s Catholic bishops have urged the leaders of South and North Korea to put an end to the escalating tensions and numerous provocations between the two nations.
In a statement issued on November 5, the Korean bishops’ Special Committee on National Reconciliation expressed concern, stating, “The sky over the Korean Peninsula is now covered with dark clouds of hatred and resentment, more intensely than ever. Many people are anxious and fearful that these dark clouds will lead to a torrential downpour of armed conflict.” The statement was signed by the committee chairperson, Bishop Simon Kim Ju-young of Chuncheon, along with five other members.
The bishops urged people in the Korean Peninsula to “once again reflect on the meaning and teachings of the ‘peace’ proclaimed by Jesus.”
The message added, “The Catholic Church of Korea is closely monitoring the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula and is issuing this appeal in the earnest hope that armed conflict will not occur on this land.”
The statement highlighted that hostile leaflets and garbage balloons have been appearing in the sky, causing many people in villages along the border of the Demilitarised Zone to experience inconvenience and anxiety due to the sound of loudspeakers operating day and night.
The sky over the Korean Peninsula is now covered with dark clouds of hatred and resentment, more intensely than ever. Many people are anxious and fearful that these dark clouds will lead to a torrential downpour of armed conflict
Special Committee on National Reconciliation
The statement highlighted that hostile leaflets and garbage balloons have been appearing in the sky, causing many people in villages along the border of the Demilitarized Zone to experience inconvenience and anxiety due to the sound of loudspeakers operating day and night.
The bishops emphasised that for the South and North to coexist peacefully, it is essential to restore mutual trust instead of using physical force to overpower one another. They called for an end to the vicious cycle of hatred and confrontation, urging the resolution of the current tensions from a perspective of empathy.
They reminded both nations who “have experienced numerous crises” that “they have the experience of wisely overcoming them.”
They said, “Therefore, even with small changes, we can demonstrate the wisdom to lower the current tension and prevent armed conflict.”
The bishop appealed to leaders, politicians, and policymakers of both countries to avoid confrontation because “in a parched field, even a small spark can spread into a big fire.”
The bishops said, “The first duty of a nation is to ensure the safety of its people. Leaders must consider the suffering caused by the tragedy of war as their own. Both the South and the North must immediately stop their threats and do their best to lower military tensions.”
People say that it is difficult to hope for peace now. However, the Church, which believes in Christ who conquered death and rose again, never loses hope
Special Committee on National Reconciliation
They also called on the international community including the United States to make diplomatic efforts “to ease military tensions and restore dialogue between the South and the North.”
It said, “We also appeal to believers who have a mission for peace and to all who seek the common good.”
The statement emphasised global concerns regarding the recent news that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia, which has been involved in a war with Ukraine. It also noted the South Korean government’s military support for Ukraine.
The bishops highlighted that the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, as well as those in Israel and the Middle East, are causing significant suffering for the poor and vulnerable, inflicting harm and pain on innocent civilians.
“People say that it is difficult to hope for peace now. However, the Church, which believes in Christ who conquered death and rose again, never loses hope. This hope gives us courage to overcome fear and allows us to choose the path of love and reconciliation even in moments of conflict,” they added.
The Korean Peninsula has been embroiled in simmering tensions in recent months. The situation escalated in July after the South accused the North of sending garbage balloons to the South. Then, in October, the North accused South Korea of flying drones into its capital Pyongyang.
North Korea alleged that the drones scattered propaganda leaflets that it warned could lead to “armed conflict and even war,” the BBC reported on October 15.
Pyongyang said it had ordered border troops to be prepared to fire and South Korea said it was ready to respond and warned that if the safety of its citizens was threatened it would signal the “end of the North Korean regime.”
Shortly afterward, North Korea destroyed sections of two roads connecting it to South Korea and claimed that 1.4 million young North Koreans had applied to join or return to the army, according to the BBC. These actions marked the latest flare-ups in the heightened tensions between the two Koreas, which have escalated in recent years since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un labeled the South as “the number one enemy” of his regime in January.
