Mission Update: Korea
Beginning in the spring of 2000, signs of openness to change in the relationship between the two Koreas began to appear. Those signs seemed to culminate in the June summit meeting in Pyongyang between Kim Jong II and Kim Dae Jung, the leaders of North and South Korea, respectively. The North Korean leader, who had been characterized as secretive, dissolute, and unpredictable by Western media, disarmed the world with his apparent relaxed humor and openness. He and his South Korean counterpart then set about changing the whole complexion of life not only on the Korean peninsula but throughout Asia. The two agreed to move toward reconciliation, with the more ambitious term "unification" kept safely in reserve, but with plans for establishing a more secure peace between the nations, for commencement of visits between separated family members, for mutual respect for each other's political system, and for increased links between the two countries. Significant questions remain as to how deep the changes may go. Major obstacles lie in the path of reunification, including an enormous economic and cultural chasm that has built up over the past half century as the two countries have moved in almost diametrically opposite directions. The question remains open whether this represents a true change of heart and of direction for North Korea or simply a canny tactical decision. But immediately following the summit, first North and then South Korea began shutting off the loudspeakers and radio transmissions of propaganda that had covered the Demilaterized Zone (DMZ) with vitriol for almost half a century, giving hope at least that the first steps toward reconciliation would not be the last.
A Shelter Called "Another Home for You"
Earlier last spring on a visit to Panmunjom, the peace village on the DMZ between North and South, Mission Specialists, the Rev. Robert von Oeyen and Sherry von Oeyen noted the immense differences between the two countries. "The most striking sight," they write, "was to see all the trees in the DMZ and just beyond it, in the mined, fortified area, the 'truly militarized zone,' and the fact that beyond that to the north there are no trees! Looking south one sees all kinds of trees, farms, and villages. The lack of trees in the North led to floods and the destruction of what dams the North had. The drought that followed led to mass starvation. In addition to food and seeds and so on, the North needs the traditional coal briquets or other appropriate technology for generating heat and energy for cooking and light, anything that will keep folks from trying to survive by chopping down every tree in sight, therefore exacerbating the tragedy."
Mission Volunteers (and longtime Mission Co-workers) the Rev. Art Kinsler and Sue Kinsler write of the work of the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) to create a more just society within South Korea. "Korea is reported to have a rate of domestic violence among the highest in the world," they write. "Beginning this fall the Women Ministers Association of the PCK is starting a hotline and shelter for spouse victims of domestic violence, including the wives of ministers. They are overjoyed to have a Korean American woman pastor to help with these programs. The Rev. Sook-Hee Bae also serves as a pastor/counselor at a shelter for runaway teenage girls in Seoul. According to Ms. Bae, the girls leave home for many reasons, including peer pressure when they can't keep up in school or social relations. The shelter, called 'Another Home for You,' was started because of concern for these girls who were turning to prostitution."
(SOUTH) KOREA: Total Area: 38,000 sq. mi. (slightly larger than Indiana). Population: 46,884,800. Languages: Korean, English. Per GDP Capita: $12,600. Literacy: 98% (Male 99.3%, Female 96.7%). Religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, folk religion, Chondogyo, other. Life Expectancy: 74.3 years. Human Development Index Rank 30.
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