Dear Friends in the United States,

These have been exciting days on the Korean peninsula. The North-South talks between Kim Dae Jung of South Korea and Kim Jung Il of North Korea have reduced tensions and increased expectations that the Korean people can move forward in their desire to become one nation. The exuberant welcome in Pyongyang given to South Korea’s president and the signing of a four-point agreement for reconciliation were highlights of the summit talks. The North’s Kim Jong Il, Chair of North Korea’s National Defense Commission, joked that D. J. Kim had brought him out of seclusion, as he was seen on South Korean television welcoming the South Korean delegation of 130 members at the airport, at a state dinner, and engaging in frank one-on-one discussions with President Kim.

The four issues discussed were: (1) working toward reunification (2) easing tensions and establishing peace on the peninsula (3) reuniting dispersed family members, and (4) promoting exchanges and cooperation in economic, social, and cultural fields. These same issues were agreed upon in an inter-Korea accord concluded by the prime ministers of North Korea and South Korea in 1991 but were never implemented.

The difference this time is that the top leaders signed this agreement in full view of both countries’ citizens and the world media. However, as per their standing policy, North Korean coverage was edited to eliminate Kim Jong Il’s voice and scenes of his mingling with the guests.

At present, preparations for cross-border visits between family members are moving ahead, slated to begin on August 15. It is true that when the younger generation in South Korea discusses reunification, it is less enthusiastic and mentions the cost of joining the two economies. Some older hard-line people take a wait-and-see attitude, thinking of the North’s use of subversion and violence in the past. The talks didn’t reach any conclusions about withdrawal of U.S. forces or revising South Korea’s stringent security laws or stopping North Korea’s production of weapons of mass destruction.

For 55 years—ever since the country was divided—Korean Christians have been praying for reunification and as these talks approached again there were special prayer sessions. Korean churches have been the most active of NGOs in sending aid to the North. The beginnings of plans and programs to open work in North Korea can be found. Although there is talk that the splintered denominationalism of South Korea should not be taken into the North, time will tell whether Korea’s Protestant groups can work together ecumenically. Another question is whether their commitment to Christian unity will be enough to work in effective partnership with Christians of other countries.

On June 23 Sue flew to northeast China for her fourth trip this year. As she helps some ethnic Korean congregations provide for the handicapped and needy, she cannot help but be moved by the situation of those who have crossed the border from North Korea. China does not want to consider these border crossers as refugees and fears that any encouraging treatment might result in an overflowing flood of such persons.

At the talks, Kim Jung Il did not mention the refugees in China because North Korea insists that they be returned to the North and that China not recognize them as refugees protected by international human rights protocol. Their illegal status in China leaves them open to many kinds of abuse and extortion and when China returns them the lightest legal punishment is six months in prison.

Please pray that God will work to bring North and South Korea closer together and make food and the bread of life in Christ available to all over the whole peninsula.

Yours with God’s latest good news,

Art and Sue Kinsler

E-mail: artkinsler@hotmail.com

The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 168