NCCK General Secretary, Rev Lee Hong Jung (in the background), with
President Moon and Chairman Kim and their delegations.
General Secretary, Rev Lee Hong Jung, of the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) was invited by the Republic of Korea presidential administration to participate in the 2nd Inter-Korean Summit in Pyongyang on behalf of Protestant Christians in South Korea. He travelled with President Moon to Pyongyang, also visiting Mt. Baekdu, as part of the 53 member delegation of South Koreans from all sectors of society including religious, business, and leadership of each major political party. Dr. Chang Sang also participated in the World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation.
The NCCK released a statement welcoming the results of President Moon’s summit with Chairman Kim. Especially, NCCK affirms the “Agreement on the Implementation of the Historic Panmunjom Declaration in the Military Domain” and the creation of an Inter-Korea Joint Military Committee to effectively end all military hostilities between the two countries. The NCCK also affirms the agreements toward economic and humanitarian cooperation, particularly regarding the prioritization of meetings between separated family members. The NCCK also celebrates the promises to dismantle the Dongchang-ri missile engine test site and launch platform, as it hopes that this will lead the way to better relations between North Korea and the USA.
This is an edited version of the story from the NCCK English Newsletter, July Issue. Any inquiries to Rev Kurt Esslinger, ecumenical partner staff at NCCK.
