70th Anniversary Of The Armistice Religious Leaders’ Peace Declaration

Background of the Peace Declaration of the Religious Leaders of Korea on the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice

1. The Korean War was the greatest tragedy for the Korean people

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice that halted the Korean War, the greatest tragedy in our national history. The Korean War, which lasted for three years, began as a civil war when North Korea invaded the South, but it became an international war as many countries around the world participated. It resulted in millions of casualties, 10 million separated families, and the devastation of the entire country. Internationally, it was the catalyst for the Cold War that would last for the next 40 years.

2. Peace was the result of diverse efforts Over the past 70 years, the Korean peninsula has succeeded in keeping the war at bay and maintaining peace despite the tense situation under the armistice. Beginning with the July 4th South-North Joint Statement in 1974, various efforts to improve relations between North and South Korea in the post-Cold War era since the 1990s have created opportunities for coexistence between the two Koreas. There have been four summits between the leaders of the two Koreas, prime ministerial and ministerial-level meetings, meetings of military officials, and civilian exchanges at various levels. Humanitarian aid to North Korea has alleviated the suffering of the North Korean people, and reunions of separated families have touched hearts throughout the world. The nuclear issue, the NLL issue, and various clashes in the West Sea and the Demilitarized Zone have brought the Korean peninsula to the brink of war, but these crises were soon resolved through dialogue. During the last administration, two rounds of denuclearization negotiations were held between the leaders of the U.S. and North Korea, and various efforts were made to establish peace between the two Koreas.

3. A New Cold War crisis is looming Today, on the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, the crisis on the Korean peninsula has been amplified and exacerbated by the geopolitical crisis in Northeast Asia and the global New Cold War. Various talks, including the bilateral, quadrilateral, and six-party talks, that have taken place over the last three decades have all broken down with no signs of resumption. All agreements made between the two sides over the past four decades have been either not implemented or broken, and no efforts are being made to honor and restore them. In Northeast Asia, the U.S.-China conflict over the South China Sea and Taiwan has escalated into a global hegemonic competition, and battle lines are being drawn between South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and the EU on one side and North Korea, China, and Russia on the other, much like the Cold War.

4. The risk of war on the Korean peninsula is escalating As North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities continue to advance, so do the extended deterrence policies of the United States, South Korea, and Japan. North Korea continues to pose a military threat with its ballistic missiles and artillery. In response, the United States and South Korea have been conducting large-scale joint land, sea, and air military exercises to pressure Pyongyang. The South Korean and North Korean governments have designated each other as the primary enemy and are increasing the intensity of their rhetoric and confrontations. The United States and North Korea have also suspended talks with each other. Moreover, the war in Ukraine triggered by Russia’s invasion is escalating tensions between the United States and China and between Europe and Russia. In particular, the war in Ukraine has reminded us that war can break out anytime and anywhere even in a civilized society in the 21st century. If South Korea’s support for Ukraine and Russia’s military support for North Korea were to occur in tandem, it would not be surprising if war broke out on the Korean peninsula tomorrow. Now, on the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, the Korean peninsula is once again on the brink of war.

5. We make an urgent proposal for peace on the Korean peninsula Peace on the Korean peninsula will be an important stepping stone to peace in Northeast Asia and the world. And it may be the starting point for ensuring the interests and happiness of not only North and South Korea, but also Northeast Asia and the world. Therefore, out of patriotism and religious conscience, we, the religious leaders of Korea, rise above our differences in religious affiliations and beliefs to make the following urgent proposals to take the first step on a long path toward creating a new peace regime on the Korean peninsula together with the people of Korea.

Peace Declaration by the Religious Leaders of Korea on the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice

The risk of armed conflict on the Korean peninsula is escalating. South Korea overcame the deep wounds of the Korean War to realize the miracle of the Han River and the democratization of the nation. If war were to break out, these incredible achievements, which have received worldwide recognition, will all turn into ashes overnight, as well as push Northeast Asia into the crucible of war.

In order to prevent the catastrophe of war on the Korean peninsula and achieve peace in Northeast Asia and the world, we would like to appeal to the Korean people and the world and share the following emergency declaration.

1. North Korea’s attempts to upgrade its nuclear weapons capability pose a serious threat to the security of the Korean peninsula. Responding to this threat with NATO-style nuclear umbrella, policies to curb nuclear expansion, and military alliance among South Korea, the United States, and Japan are not enough to secure peace. This may create a “peace by fear” through a nuclear balance between North and South Korea, but it is not a fundamental solution for peace on the Korean peninsula. On the contrary, it may give North Korea an excuse to further reinforce its nuclear arsenal, creating a vicious cycle of nuclear fear and increasing the likelihood of an all-out nuclear war due to an accidental collision.
2. The escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula not only pose a security risk but also cause great suffering in the lives of the people of North and South Korea. Even now, on the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, we are unable to hold reunions of separated families or provide assistance to the North Korean people whose survival is threatened. Family reunions and humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the people of North and South Korea must resume immediately, regardless of the political situation.
3. Various attempts to establish peace on the Korean peninsula through exchanges and cooperation between the two Koreas are currently at an impasse. In addition, attempts to change the North Korean regime through confrontation and pressure have been ineffective. However, in South Korea’s history, no administration has ever closed the door to dialogue and negotiation with North Korea. Efforts to hold dialogues have continued through every crisis and confrontation. Therefore, we believe that a bolder approach is needed to resolve tensions on the Korean peninsula.
4. We believe that the best solution to prevent war and achieve peace on the Korean peninsula is to quickly freeze the proliferation of North Korea’s nuclear weapons that has become the biggest threat to peace on the Korean peninsula and normalize relations between North Korea and the United States. It is true that North Korea’s development of a nuclear arsenal represents a hardline military strategy to ensure its own survival among neighboring powers. However, it is also undeniable that the failure to normalize relations between North Korea and the United States since the Korean War armistice has been another cause for the current tensions. At this point, the most urgent task is to prevent North Korea from reinforcing its nuclear weapons and arsenal by freezing its nuclear program. To do so, the U.S., which has been the “de facto leader” of the situation on the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia since the Korean War, needs to make significant changes to its North Korea policy to normalize North Korea-U.S. relations, as well as North Korea-Japan relations, and turn the Korean peninsula into a “global peace zone”. This is in the common interest of South and North Korea, Northeast Asia, and ultimately the United States and the rest of the world. Also, it is the only way to move forward to a denuclearized and peaceful Korean peninsula.
5. We, the religious leaders of Korea, appeal to the governments of the United States, the Republic of Korea, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to overcome the escalating war crisis on the Korean peninsula and to establish a permanent peace regime, starting with a “rapid nuclear freeze of North Korea and a corresponding normalization of U.S.-DPRK relations.” We also appeal to the peace-loving people, supporters of justice and humanitarianism, and conscientious intellectuals and citizens around the world to respond to our proposals. In particular, we appeal to South Korean politicians, who are responsible for the lives and security of the people, to cease the confrontational rhetoric and make a bipartisan effort to establish peace on the Korean peninsula.

● Together with people as follows (Ordered by the Korean Characters)

1. Christianity

1) Rev. Dr. Kim, Kyung Hyuk (Former Chair of Korea Evangelical Association)

2) Rev. Dr. Sohn, In Woong (Senior Pastor)

3) Rev. Dr. Shin, Kyung Ha (Former Presiding Bishop, Korea Methodist Church)

4) Rev. Dr. Chun, Byung Keum (Former Moderator of PROK)

5) Rev. Dr. Park. Jong Wha (Former Chair of Kukmin Culture Foundation)

6) Rev. Suh. Jae-il (Former Moderator of PROK)

7) Rev. Choi, Bu Ock (Former Moderator of PROK)

8) Rev. Dr. Cho. Sung Ki (Former General Secretary of PCK)

9) Rev. Kwon, Oh Sung (Former General Secretary of KNCC)

2. Buddhism

1) Ven. Dobop Sunim (Former chairman of the Hwajaeng (Arbitration) Committee of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism)

2) Ven. Sukyung Sunim (Standing representative of Buddhist Environmental Solidarity)

3) Ven. Jihong Sunim (Former chairman of the Dharma Propagation Bureau of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism)

4) Ven. Pomnyun Sunim (Guiding Dharma teacher of Jungto Society, Jungto Society ; Chairman, The Peace Foundation)

3. Anglican

1) The Most Rev. Francis kyung Jo Park (The Former Primate Bishop of Anglican Church of KREA)

2) The Rt. Rev. Solomon Jong - mo Yoon (The Former Primate of Anglican Church of Korea)

3) Rev. Jae-yeul Kim (The Former Provincial Secretary of Anglican Church of Korea)

4) Rev. Eun-sik Choi (Senior Priest)

5) Rev.Jun-ki Choi (Provincial Secretary of Anglican Church of Korea)

4. Wonbulkyo

1) Lee,Seong Taeck (Senior Reverend,Wonbulkyo)

2) Namgoong, Sung (Senior Reverend, Wonbulkyo)

3) Nha,Taoworld (Senior Reverend, Wonbulkyo)

4) Choi, Sung-deok (Senior Reverend, Wonbulkyo)

5) Kim, Dae seon (Reverend, Wonbulkyo)

5. Cheondogyo

1) Park, Namsoo (Former Representative of Cheondogyo)

2) Lee, Bumchang (Chief executive of Cheondogyo's Headquarters)

3) Kim, Inwhan (Former Chief executive of Cheondogyo's Headquarters)

4) Kim, Sanggil (Former Chairman of the Cheondogyo maintenance foundation)

5) Yum, Sangchul (Former Speaker of Cheondogyo's Council)

6) Joo, Sunwon (Former Comptroller General of Cheondogyo)

6. Catholic

1) Archbishop Andreas CHOI Chang-mou (Former President of the Bishop’s Conference of the Catholic Church of Korea)

2) Archbishop Hyginus KIM Hee-Joong (Former President of the Bishop’s Conference of the Catholic Church of Korea)

3) Bishop Peter KANG U-il (Former President of the Bishop’s Conference of the Catholic Church of Korea, President of the Korea-Vietnam Peace Foundation)

4) Fr.John KIM Hong-Jin (Senior Catholic Priest)