"2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the armistice of the Korean War (1950-1953).
The war that claimed millions of lives is still not officially over. This unfinished conflict is still the main cause of the current threat to peace.
Therefore, on the Day of Prayer for Reconciliation and National Unity, we cannot avoid thinking in particular about our call for peace", says the joint message from the "Committee for National Reconciliation" and the "Justice and Peace" Commission of the Korean Bishops, in view of the "Day of Prayer for Reconciliation and National Unity" which the Church in South Korea celebrates on June 25, 2023 and for which Catholic faithful throughout the country will prepare with a novena of prayer from June 17 to 25.
In the statement, the two commissions express concern: "The conflict between the two Korean states is not new because the war has not ended properly, but these days we are again facing a serious crisis. This is because the argument that only violence can keep the peace is gaining ground. North Korea continues to conduct missile tests, and the military exercises by South Korea and the United States in response are also very impressive. The dialogue for a peaceful solution has long ceased, while the vicious circle of armed protests - a dead end - continues. Due to the disrupted communication between the two Korean states, there is also serious concern that an armed conflict could break out. Experts even speak of a risk of war and fear an increase in military tensions on the Korean peninsula".
According to the two Commissions, the "Decree on Nuclear Armed Forces Policy", adopted by the North Korean authorities in September last year is an indicator of the extent of the military crisis. The new law states that "a preventive nuclear strike may be carried outwhen an enemy attack is deemed imminent and when it is deemed unavoidable for operational reasons".
"In response to this decree, the South Korean government has been pushing for greater 'enhanced deterrence' by the United States," the commission notes, "and the recent Washington statement released by U.S. and South Korean leaders is presented as a clear pledge by the United States to ensure South Korea's security".
Regarding the risk of an escalation, the message said: "The promise of the US President to respond with US nuclear weapons in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack fuels our concerns even more.
This is because, once nuclear weapons are used, there is no going back and North Korea declares it will develop even more powerful nuclear weapons and missiles, while protesting the Washington Declaration of the Korea-US summit. The power confrontation is intensifying day by day".
Indeed - the statement continues - it is necessary to resume a serious and conscious dialogue in order to avoid war and reduce military tensions". "Even though the road is long and arduous," the commissions stress, "we cannot give up our efforts to bring about peace on the Korean peninsula".
For God "has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:18). Therefore, following the example of Christ, we believers believe that seeking forgiveness and reconciliation is more important than anything else, and we are confident that true peace can be achieved through mutual trust and forgiveness. Encounter, dialogue and the search for mutual understanding are the way to peace, not high-tech weapons or military power".
On July 27, the 70th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement, a special service of prayer for peace will be held at Myeongdong Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of Seoul.
At this mass, organized by the National Reconciliation Committee and the Bishops' Conference Commission for Justice and Peace, the Korean Catholic community intends to pray intensively "for the beginning of a real dialogue for peace on the Korean Peninsula". "The Lord, who conquered death and rose from the dead, promised us true peace. Let's all pray together so that we can enjoy this peace," reads the commissions' invitation.