A Nervous Korea

This morning we prayed for peace between North and South Korea.

The Korean War, named thus because it is/was the war between North and South Korea, is technically still in continuance. In 1953 a cease fire treaty was agreed, but the war is still in act. And now even more so than ever, since North Korea renounced the cease fire treaty earlier this week. North Korea is playing a terrible game of poker – one which it cannot win. Earlier this week North Korea tested a nuclear weapon, and also tested some missiles. The clear signal it sent was that it has nuclear warheads, and it has the missiles to shoot those nuclear weapons at other countries; South Korea and Japan being prime targets.

In response South Korea officially joined the United States in its anti-proliferation program. The intention of the program is to stop and inspect ships suspected of transporting nuclear technology. To this North Korea declared the end of the cease fire, saying that any attempt to inspect North Korean ships will evoke serious retaliation.

I work at a Christian university, so short Biblical messages and prayers during our bi-weekly faculty meetings are not strange. But the email came through last night that Friday morning’s faculty meeting will not occur at the regular meeting place in the academic office. Instead we were to meet at the church on campus. This was the first time in the time I’ve worked here that the faculty of, I’m guessing, a 150 people met at the church. The sermon was from Psalm 17, if I remember correctly, about calling to God in times of desperation. Then we had to form small groups and pray. One thing was for peace in South Korea. Today was the funeral of the late President Roh, who committed suicide a week ago. President Roh has very strong support and the fear was that angry people would retaliate, believing that Roh’s suicide was spurred on by the opposition party’s accusations of fraud against the former president. President Roh known for his 'Sunshine Policy' with North Korea, was seemingly even liked by the North Korean dictator. Kim Jong Il sent a message of condolences to Roh's family. And of course, the other thing we had to pray for was peace between North and South Korea.

As a foreigner I’m often quite oblivious to the local tensions and anxieties. This morning’s call to have a prayer meeting, instead of the regular faculty meeting, demonstrates that the South Korean’s are nervous.