A coalition of Christian churches in Korea, including two Church Partners of UnitingWorld, the Presbyterian Church of Korea and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, have called for a re-investigation into the cause of the explosion that caused the sinking of the South Korean Navy’s ship, the Cheonan in March this year.
The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) has released a statement calling for a more for thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion that lead to the death of 46 South Korean Navy sailors.
In the statement, the Council pointed out that the failure to detect the explosive represents a “serious blind point in military security systems” and that “those related to it should bear their responsibility” for the explosion that caused the Cheonan to sink.
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) further criticised the investigation, claiming that it was not adequately transparent and leaves too many questions unanswered, which has since lead to significant tension.
“The extreme confrontation between the two Koreas has destroyed in a moment the frame of a peaceful co-existence in the Korean peninsula…This situation is dividing South Koreans causing confrontations and hostilities,” said PROK.
The Cheonan, a ship carrying over 100 personnel of the South Korean Navy, sunk due to an explosion on 26 March 2010 off the west coast of South Korea. The result of the investigation was released on 20 May 2010, indicating that a North Korean torpedo had sunk the ship.
Please pray for a peaceful resolution to the investigations, that future violence will not erupt, and for the well-being of friends and families of the soldiers who lost their lives as a result of the incident.
Click here to read the full statement from the National Council of Churches in Korea
Tags: South Korea
