Yesterday marked the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, which began on June 25, 1950. During the next three years at least three million people died, probably many more. More than half of the casualties were civilians, making it one of the most deadly wars in history. The fighting ended with a ceasefire in 1953, but no peace treaty was ever signed. Since then the two sides have continued in a hostile stalemate, divided from each other by the DMZ. Last week's destruction of the liaison office by North Korea indicates just how fragile any recent easing of the tensions has become. It is therefore an apt time to pray for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Last Saturday I travelled to the "White Horse Hill Korean War Memorial" at Cheorwon, which borders the DMZ, to take part in a peace convocation and march for peace organized by the PROK to mark the occasion. Here is a video of the event on the WCC's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyrdI4q-...
John in Korea; The United Church of Canada and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, in partnership with each other: for justice, peace, and reconciliation -- sharing in God's work of transformation -- in Korea, in Canada, and beyond . . .