The 11th Catholic Network for the Reconciliation of the Korean People
* The 11th Catholic Network for the Reconciliation of the Korean People
The Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People of the CBCK (President: Most Rev. Lucas Kim Woon-hoe, Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul) held the 11th Catholic Network for the Reconciliation of the Korean People at the St. Mary Education Center in Suji, Gyeonggi-do from November 13 to 14, 2007.
Rev. John Kim Hun-il, representative of the Section for Aid to North Korea of the Committee, gave a presentation with the theme “Evangelization Strategy for North Korea.” He said, “The Church should make a longsighted and strategic approach to the evangelization of North Korea, letting the people know its necessity, mission and vision.” Then he proposed four steps to missionary approach to North Korea: division and confrontation; reconciliation and cooperation; union of South and North Korea; reunification of South and North Korea.
Dr. Peter Im Eul-chul, expert member of the Committee, recommended detail strategies for aid to North Korea: systematical improvement of procedures of aid to North Korea and preparation of its guideline; specialization of aid projects for emergency relief, agriculture and medical care; accumulation of know-how of aid to North Korea and formation of experts; diversification of windows toward North Korea for evangelization.
Dr. Helen Lim Soon-hee, expert member of the Committee and senior research fellow of the Institute for National Reconciliation, stressed that the continuous increase of Saeteomin (North Korean escapees settled in South Korea) implies the significance of their existence and their expanding roles in South Korean society. Then she pointed out the necessity of comprehensive medium and long term projects and strategies for pastoral care for Saeteomin.
This symposium was organized as a part of the program of publishing White Paper of the Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People of the CBCK & Plans for Evangelizing North Korea. This white paper will be published in 2009, the year of 10th anniversary of name change of the Committee for the Reconciliation of Korean People from the Committee for the Evangelization of North Korea.