Moderator's Solidarity With Korea

Wednesday December 11 2024

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has written to the churches in South Korea to express support and solidarity in the country’s current political turmoil.

Writing to the country’s two Presbyterian churches as well as the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), the Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson praised them for ‘bear(ing) witness to the transforming Grace of God in Christ’ and said that the Church of Scotland gives thanks for ‘your resilience and prophetic faith.

The NCCK last week condemned what it called ‘the undemocratic and unreasonable actions’ of President Yoon Suk Yeol. President Yoon declared martial law on December 3, but backed down within hours amidst nationwide protests and political condemnation, although subsequent  opposition attempts to impeach him were defeated.

NCCK General Secretary, the Rev Kim Jong Seng, said that the organisation ‘will not overlook a President who has undermined democracy and destabilised the nation’.

In his letter, Dr Shaw writes:

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As we in Scotland have watched with astonishment the events unfolding in South Korea in the past few days, we have prayed for you, our Christian brothers and sisters, and for the nation and people of South Korea.

This is a critical moment in your life of freedom and democracy. The Churches have stood together and, alongside the National Christian Council, have shown leadership and witness to a world in which freedom and justice can take precedence over power and personal ambition.

In these critical days, when we do not yet know what the outcome will be, your prayer vigil, followed by a rally involving civil and faith-based communities in front of the National Assembly, was a strong public witness to the enduring values of freedom, peace, justice and the rule of law, which we all need to hear in these troubled days all across our world.

As we are in Advent time, we know the power of waiting, not waiting aimlessly, but with the knowledge that something powerful and earth changing can and will break through. As people of faith, we know it is our calling to pray, and also to work against the powers of injustice and to seek to offer God’s hope and truth in times of distress.

Know that here in Scotland we are aware of what is happening; we stand in solidarity with you, and give thanks to God for your resilience and prophetic faith. May your commitment to offer God’s liberating word of life to those who are poor, hungry, naked and oppressed never cease; and in this season of Advent, we pray that the light will put out the darkness, and all the nations will know the light that comes to offer truth and justice for all.

May you continue to bear witness to the transforming Grace of God in Christ and through the Spirit, in the knowledge that justice will prevail.

In Christ’s love and solidarity, with abundant blessings in this Advent season,

Rt Rev Dr Shaw J Paterson
Moderator of the General Assembly
Church of Scotland

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