Global Ministries issues a joint statement of solidarity with the people and partners of South Korea

The United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have issued a joint statement on the recent declaration of martial law by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as Global Ministries. Global Ministries is a joint witness in mission between the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The letter is endorsed by UCC General Minister and President, the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, as well as Acting Associate General Minister/Co-Executive of Global Ministries, Rev. Shari Prestemon; and cosigned by the Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Disciples of Christ along with the Rev. Dr. LaMarco Cable, President and CEO, Disciples Overseas Ministries/Co-Executive, Global Ministries, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Here is the statement in full:

On behalf of Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada and the United Church of Christ in the U.S., we offer our prayers and support to the churches and people of South Korea at this uncertain time. We were deeply concerned when South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol surprisingly declared Martial Law on Dec. 3. However short-lived, President Yoon’s initiative to seize government control to use against political opponents was widely regarded as a self-serving act that threatened the entire nation with fear and instability.

We recall South Korea’s profound and too-recent history of Martial Law and the Gwangju Massacre in 1980, when hundreds of protesting civilians were killed by government forces under General Chun Doo-hwan. President Yoon’s rash and futile act this week surely evoked anxious memories of those violent days for many South Koreans.

Just as they did during earlier periods of dictatorships, South Korean Churches and their faithful members have shown bold witness in defense of the rights and dignities of the Korean people. Our partners, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea and the National Council of Churches in Korea, have been persistent voices for peace and justice in the face of political threats. We support church partners who pressed lawmakers in the National Assembly to vote to rescind President Yoon’s Declaration of Martial Law and who are now calling for his removal from office.

We join the ecumenical community worldwide in our commitment to stand with church partners and the people of South Korea as they move beyond this turbulent moment and continue to call political leaders to moral and wise leadership. We remain steadfast in our prayers for all in South Korea. May God grant hope and healing to all who seek the peace with justice promised in Christ.

Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson
General Minister and President/CEO
United Church of Christ

Rev. Teresa Hord Owens
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Shari Prestemon
Acting Associate General Minister
Co-Executive, Global Ministries
United Church of Christ

Rev. Dr. LaMarco Cable
President and CEO of Disciples Overseas Ministries
Co-Executive of Global Ministries
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

---

Content on ucc.org is copyrighted by the National Setting of the United Church of Christ and may be only shared according to the guidelines outlined here.