In an article in the Catholic Peace Weekly on the worsening situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Special Committee for Reconciliation of the People of the Bishops' Conference urged that the current confrontation should be resolved by "putting yourself in the other person's shoes" rather than by physical force.
In the appeal, the bishops’ committee stated: “The Korean Church should keep a close eye on the tensions on the Korean Peninsula and earnestly hope that no armed conflicts occur on this land,” and “The world is concerned about the news of North Korean troops being dispatched to Russia, which is at war, and our government’s arms support to Ukraine.” They continued to express concern that “there are many people who complain of discomfort and anxiety due to the proliferation of hostile waste balloons and loudspeaker noises day and night.”
The committee emphasized to leaders, politicians, and policymakers in the South and the North that “the first duty of the state is to ensure the safety of the people” and that “they should consider the suffering caused by the tragedy of war as their own.” In particular, they appealed: “The role of the newly elected American leader is also important,” and “Diplomatic efforts by countries related to the Korean Peninsula, including the United States, are urgently needed so that military tensions can be eased and dialogue can be restored between the South and the North.”
The Committee also urged believers with a mission for peace and all those who pursue the common good to “avoid Military conflict under any circumstances” and “Let us all urge political leaders to choose peaceful methods.”
The committee stated, “Although it is difficult to hope for peace now, the church that believes in Christ who overcame death and was resurrected never loses hope,” and “This hope gives us the courage to overcome fear and allows us to choose the path of love and reconciliation even in moments of conflict.”
