General News and Announcements

November 12, 2009

A call for the lifting of all sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) was recently issued by leaders and representatives of nearly 140 churches, including The United Church of Canada. The Tsuen Wan Communique was adopted at the close of the International Consultation on Peace, Reconciliation and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula, held October 21–23 in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, and jointly organized by the World Council of Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia.

This was the 25th anniversary of the Tozanso Process, the first ecumenical gathering to take steps toward peaceful reunification of the divided Korean peninsula. The United Church of Canada has actively participated in and promoted the ongoing Tozanso Process.

Participants in Hong Kong called for immediate talks between the United States and North Korea, and between North and South Korea, to implement fully the June 2000 North-South Joint Declaration and the October 4, 2007, Declaration, both of which spelled out a number of goals and steps toward reunification.

They also called for an end to the intensified sanctions against North Korea by the United Nations' Security Council Resolution 1874, after North Korea conducted nuclear tests in May 2009. The sanctions have caused great anxiety among the peoples in both South and North Korea, which the United Church delegation that visited in North Korea in April experienced.

There was support for an inter-Korean confederation option of peaceful co-existence and the furthering of economic co-operation between the two Koreas. There was also affirmation of positive developments in inter-Korean relations, including increased economic co-operation, people-to-people exchanges, family reunions, and visits among churches in North Korea, South Korea, and other parts of the world.

Setbacks, including the reversal of the Sunshine Policy by the new government of South Korea under President Lee Myung Bak, were also noted.

Participants expressed a strong hope for peace and reunification of the Korean people, and their firm commitment to take the next steps for churches' involvement in the reunification efforts.

Detailed news reports, a photo gallery, and keynote addresses from the Consultation can be found at the World Council of Churches website.