WCC 강정 Issue Proposal
일 시: 2013년 10월 31일
수 신: World Council of Churches
H.G. Bishop, Moderator, Public Issues Committee
Members of the Public Issues Committee
My name is Rev. Tae-jin Bae from the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea. I would like to make a new public issue proposal for a statement for Peace against Asia-Pacific Maritime Militarization. 25 delegates of member churches of the WCC endorse this proposal.
We are currently witnessing a major increase in maritime militarization in the Asia-Pacific that runs counter to the pursuit of ecology, peace and justice that are the core values of the WCC and Christians everywhere. Across the already overly militarized region, more and more naval bases are being built and/or reopened in countries such as Japan, Australia, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.
Tension between the economic and military expansion of China and the corresponding U.S.
“Pivot to Asia” strategy has sparked a significant threat to peace in the Asia-Pacific. A key example of the impact of this military build-up can be seen in Gangjeong Village, Jeju Island, the Republic of Korea. Since 2007, the people have been struggling against a massive naval base being unjustly built without their consent. Jeju Island is an ecological wonder, and Gangjeong is among its most beautiful and unique eco-systems, home to endangered species and the world’s largest temperate soft coral forest. If built, the Gangjeong naval base will be a critical outpost of the ROK-Japan-U.S. maritime military alliance targeting China, turning Jeju, an island of peace, into a target of war.
In this regards, I would like to recommend:
- The churches and national ecumenical councils in the Asia-Pacific to take serious measures to stop the arms race and make the Pacific the Sea of Peace;
- The government of the Republic of Korea to stop the Jeju naval base construction and respect the rights and voices of the people in Gangjeong Village;
- The newly organized Presidium to visit Gangjeong Village and hold a prayer meeting;
- The governments of all nations in the Asia-Pacific to not trample their own people and environments in the name of security and to build a pan-Asian culture of peaceful cooperation and mutual aid.
As a delegate of member church of the WCC, on behalf of 25 other co-signed delegates, I ask the Public Issues Committee to seriously consider a statement for peace against Asia-Pacific Maritime Militarization.
Rev. Tae-jin Bae
General-Secretary
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea
Delegate of Church Member, WCC
* Please see the attached list of signatures of 25 delegates of member churches of the WCC.
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