“한반도 에큐메니칼 포럼 방북 결과” 보도 요청

보 도 자 료

교회협 언론 2015 - 145호 (2015. 11. 5.)

수 신 : 각 언론사

발 신 : 한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK)

제 목 : “한반도 에큐메니칼 포럼 방북 결과” 보도 요청의 건

한반도 에큐메니칼 포럼 운영위원회,

23일부터 30일까지 평양 방문

지난 10월 23일부터 30일까지 평양에서 세계교회협의회(WCC) 한반도 에큐메니칼 포럼(이하 한반도포럼) 운영위원회의 북한 방문이 진행되었다. 한반도포럼은 지난 2006년 한반도의 평화 정착 방안을 모색하기 위해 국제적 에큐메니칼 연대의 강화를 목적으로 세계교회협의회(WCC), 아시아기독교교회협의회(CCA), 독일개신교협의회, 한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK)와 조선그리스도교연맹(KCF) 등이 주축이 되어 발족되었다. 이번 평양 회의에는 WCC 공동의장인 장상 박사를 비롯한 WCC 관계자들과 박경서 대한민국 전 인권대사, 교회협 김영주 총무, 독일복음선교연대 (EMS) 루츠 드레셔 아시아 국장, 스티브 피어스 영국 감리교회 아시아 총무, 평양주재 전 UN관계자 에릭 와인가드너 등 총 12명이 참가했다.

이번 운영위원회는 그간의 한반도 에큐메니칼 포럼 활동에 대한 평가, 향후 활동방향에 대한 논의와 세계교회 인사들의 북한에 대한 이해를 높이기 위한 토론과 방문으로 진행되었다. 이들은 이번 방문에서 한반도를 둘러싼 여러 가지 사안들에 대해서 토론하였으며 특히 일본안전보장관련법안이 한반도 평화에 큰 걸림돌이 된다는 데 공감하고 공동 대응하는 길을 모색하기로 하였다. 한반도포럼 운영위원회는 이러한 논의를 모아서 평양 호소문 (첨부된 국/영문 전문 참조)을 발표했다.

호소문은 6.15공동선언과 10.4 선언의 이행, 한미합동군사훈련의 중단, 대북 경제제재 조치의 해제 등을 촉구했으며, 또 평화조약의 필요성과 평화공존을 위한 남북교회간의 긴밀한 협력과 연대를 촉구했다.

이 호소문에서 관심을 끄는 대목은 “평화와 화해를 통하여 인권실현을 모색한다”라는 내용으로 인권문제가 언급된 점이다. 2009년 개정된 북한헌법은 “인민의 인권을 위해 국가가 봉사한다”라는 항목을 명시하였다. 이번 대표단의 일정에도 장애인, 노인, 고아 등 사회적 약자에 대한 시설들을 다수 방문함으로써 북한의 이러한 변화가 형식적인 것을 넘어 실질적인 정책으로 이어지고 있음을 볼 수 있었다.

이번 호소문에서 인권과 관련한 문구가 포함된 것은 이러한 맥락에서 시사하는 바가 크다. 교회협은 인권문제가 “인권이 정쟁을 위한 압박도구가 되거나 상호비방을 위한 수단이 되어서는 안 되며, 인권의 보편적 가치는 평화와 화해를 통해서 증진될 수 있다는 보편적인 진리를 남북은 물론 모든 해외 참가자들이 공감한 결과”로 이 호소문에 포함되었음을 밝혔다.

한반도포럼은 남북한교회가 참여하는 국제협의기구로서, 이번 평양회의는 세계교회의 대표들이 북한을 실질적으로 이해하는 중요한 기회가 되었다. 관계자는 “대화와 설득을 통해서 그동안 금기시 되던 주제를 실질적으로 다뤘다는 점에서 중요한 의미가 있다”고 밝히며, “이러한 분위기가 지속된다면 보다 발전된 남북교류의 초석이 마련될 것으로 전망한다”고 말했다.

다음은 호소문 전문이다.

Pyongyang Appeal

Meeting of Steering Group of the Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Development Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula

28 October 2015, Pyongyang, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. (2 Timothy 2:22)

Members and invitees of the Steering Group of the Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Development Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula (EFK) convened by the World Council of Churches (WCC) met on 28 October 2015 in Pyongyang, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in the context of a visit by the EFK delegation to the DPRK during 23-30 October 2015, graciously hosted by the Korean Christian Federation (KCF).

The EFK visit takes place during the 70th anniversary of Korean liberation from Japanese occupation, but also of the division of the Korean peninsula into north and south–a division which tragically persists and provokes severe threats to peace and human security in the region to this day.

The EFK Steering Group met on 28 October 2015 under the theme “Current Situation and Future Direction of Ecumenical Church Activities for Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula”. Participants included representatives of the WCC, KCF, National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), and of churches and related organizations from the UK, USA, Germany and Canada.

This visit and meeting follows the long history of international ecumenical accompaniment of the churches of North and South Korea, in particular through the WCC, and we reaffirm all ecumenical policy positions issued in this process, especially the WCC 10th Assembly Statementon Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula(adoptedon8November2013) and the communique issued by the WCC’s International Consultationon Justice, Peace and Reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula(heldinBossey, Switzerland, on 17-19 June 2014).

The Pyongyang meeting is the first occasion on which an ecumenical gathering has been convened on the peninsula itself involving North and South Koreans as well as international participants focusing on peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.

During its visit to the DPRK, the members of the EFK delegation witnessed a society that is visibly advancing, demonstrating great resilience and self-reliance despite the longstanding and recently strengthened international sanctions.

In visiting the DPRK during this important anniversary year, the EFK delegation sought to deepen their understanding of current realities on the Korean peninsula, to acknowledge the continuing unresolved tragedy of the division of the Korean people, and to strengthen international ecumenical solidarity with Korean Christian sisters and brothers – from north and south – as well as with all people who seek peace, reunification and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.

During August this year escalating tensions risked spiralling out of control, until high-level dialogue initiated by the DPRK government succeeded in reducing those tensions. We express our appreciation for the efforts of both governments in this regard, including the resumption of separated family reunion meetings which have been ongoing during the period of our visit. However, political confrontation and threats aimed at the DPRK undo the good done through dialogue, and risk closing the door to further dialogue at a time when it is needed most. As the WCC general secretary observed during the period of heightened tensions in August, “Provocation does not offer a path to peace.”

Among other threats to peace and stability in the region, we note with concern the recent reinterpretation of article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and the amendments to the security related bills, allowing for external military action by the armed forces of Japan under the “right of collective self defence”. The fact that intervention in the DPRK had been explicitly cited as a scenario in which this reinterpretation could be invoked exacerbates the latent tensions in the region.

We, as participants in the Pyongyang meeting of the EFK Steering group, issue this appeal to all churches, church-related organizations and people of good will around the world, calling for renewed and strengthened solidarity, advocacy and action for the following purposes:

Full implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration and the October 4 Declaration, adopted at the North-South summits held in June 2000 and October 2007 respectively.

An end to all joint military exercises in the vicinity of the Korean peninsula directed against the DPRK, provocative demonstrations of armed force, and political confrontation and threats, which risk increasing tensions and destabilizing the delicate situation on the Korean peninsula.

Lifting the economic sanctions against the DPRK which succeed only in harming the most vulnerable, and contribute to maintaining tensions on the Korean peninsula.

Resisting the confrontational misuse of human rights; ending the antagonistic leaflet campaign against the DPRK; avoiding the promotion of enemy images; eliminating all obstacles to the objective of peace and reconciliation; and seeking the realization of human rights through the promotion of peace and reconciliation.

The replacement of the current Armistice Agreement of 1953 with a peace treaty.

Respectful, patient and persistent dialogue between the two Koreas, with the objectives of mutual recognition, peaceful co-existence, reunification and reconciliation.

Promoting exchanges and encounters between North and South Koreans, and mutual visits by members of the international Christian community and Christians in the DPRK, emphasizing the involvement of young people in such exchanges and visits, in particular young people from both North and South Korea.

Strengthening the relationship between the KCF and the NCCK with the churches of South Korea, and with the Korean Christian diaspora around the world.

For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. (Ephesians 2:14)

문의 : NCCK 홍보실 강석훈 목사(02-742-8981, 010-2766-6246)

The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK)

Tel. 02-742-8981 Fax. 02-744-1689

Email. kncc@kncc.or.kr http://www.kncc.or.kr