NCCK's Pyungyang Visit Report

Reported by the NCCK Nov. 6, 2011

Participants:

The NCCK representatives visited Pyungyang for November 2(Wed)-5(Sat), 2011. These are Rev. Lee Young-Hoon (Moderator of the Assembly of God and the President of the NCCK; Rev. Kim Young Ju, General Secretary, the NCCK; Rev. Lee Kyu-Hak, The Korea Methodist Church; Rev. Kim Jong-Hoon, The Korea Methodist Church, Seoul Conference; Rev. Yoo Jung-Sung Moderator of the PROK; Bishop Kim Keun-Sang, Primate of the Anglican Church of Korea; Rev. Bae Tae-Jin, General Secretary of the PROK; Rev. Choi Gil-Hak General Secretary of the Assembly of God; Rev. Lee Keun-Bok, Director, Ecumenical Training Center of the NCCK; Mr. Lee Chang-Hwi, Reconciliation and Unification Department of the NCCK.

Bongsu church:

'The Joint Worship service praying for Peace and Reunification by Christians in North and South Korea' was taking place in Bong-Su Church in Pyungyang, November 3rd. After greetings by Rev. Kang Young-Sup, chairperson of the Korean Christian Federation and Rev. Kim Young-Ju, General Secretary of the NCCK, Rev. Son Hyo-Soon, senior pastor of Bong Su Church led the worship service. The program followed by prayer led by Bishop Lee Kyu-Hak, sermon titled "Work of Oneness (Ephesians 4:1-6)" by Rev. Lee Young-Hoon (President of the NCCK), reading of the Joint Payer by Rev. Bae Tae-Jin and one member of Bongsu church, offering, and song by the church choir, benediction by Rev. Yoo Jung-Sung.

Chilgol church:

Prayer meeting at the Chilgol Church: Welcomed by Rev. Hwang Si-Chon, senior pastor of the Chilgol Church, the group had a prayer service. Bishop Kim Keun Sang greeted and talked about the meaning of the visit, song by the choir, closing prayer led by Bishop Kim Jong Hoon.

The KCF has discussed with the Korea Methodist Church regarding the remodeling of the Chilgol Church which had been discussing long time ago.

The group visited the place of construction of 'David Cho's cardiopathy Hospital' in Pyungyang which was stopped due to the worsened relationship between the two Koreas and the impossibility to transfer the necessary items and equipments. The Korean Christian Federation has expressed its hope that the construction should be resumed, and Rev. Lee Young Hoon, Senior pastor of the Yeouido Full Gospel Church responded positively, expressing of his every effort to resume it. The group prayed enthusiastically for its accomplishment.

It had also chance to visit Mt. Myohang, 'Daedong river fruit farm' and Pyungyang city tour.

The significance of the NCCK visit to Pyungyang

This visit by the NCCK church leaders to Pyungyang was important in the sense of that it was the first for christians from the North and the South to get together since 'May 24 measurement by the South Korean government (prohibiting North and South relationship and cooperation after the Chonan warship incident).' The significance of the visit is in the opening of social and cultural relationship between the two Koreas which has been closed.

During the discussion between the NCCK and the KCF, the NCCK church leaders' visit to Pyungyang at every October aiming at holding prayer meetings for peace in the Korean peninsula was proposed and positively agreed. The NCCK has asked the KCF to come to Busan for WCC 10th Assembly and as well the KCF's cooperation for the realization of "Peace Train". Both have agreed to continuously exchange of joint prayer texts commemorating 'March 1st movement' and 'Easter Sunday', to observe the North and South joint prayer for peace and reunification of Korean peninsula, and to cooperate in humanitarian food support.

Regarding the construction of 'David Cho's Cardiopathy Hospital' in Pyungyang', the Full Gospel Church expressed its willingness to complete the outer frame before May 2012. About the Chilgol Church, the Korean Methodist Church expressed that they will make every effort for its remodeling within the church. These are very important in the sense of social service relationship with the North.

Through this opportunity to visit to Pyungyang, we hope that the North and the South will resume their relationship and cooperation actively like in the past, and the NCCK has an important task to accomplish these expectations. We pray that the day to be reconciled and reunited of our nation will be soon through these active exchanges and cooperation as well as joint prayer meetings by christians of the North and the South.