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BISHOP'S OFFICE

Reflecting on the 80th Anniversary of Liberation and Jubilee for the Korean Peninsula and Praying for Peace in Korea

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japanese colonial rule and the declaration of independence. Liberation and the recognition of a nation’s dignity are not only historical milestones, but, I believe, expressions of God’s will – a living history of light akin to the Jubilee proclaimed in the Gospel.

Yet, less than three years after that liberation, the Korean Peninsula was divided into opposing blocs – South and North, democracy and communism. The division’s wounds remain, and the prayer for unity continues to go unanswered. The dream of a fully liberated, self-reliant, and reconciled nation remains unfinished. The shadow of colonialism has not yet been fully dispelled.

Recent news reported renewed discussions between Japanese politicians and the Korean government about recovering the remains of approximately 140 Koreans who perished in an undersea coal mine in Japan. Even after eight decades these victims still lie trapped in unknown places. Tens of thousands of other victims – comfort women, forced laborers, and conscripted student soldiers – likely remain scattered in unmarked graves, their return home denied by history.

On this 80th anniversary, the deepest aspiration of the Korean people is for true peace and reconciliation. Economic advancement and social prosperity cannot erase the sorrow, longing, and anxiety that linger under the threat of renewed war. For eight decades, the Peninsula has been locked in a militarized stalemate, shaped by both regional tensions and the wider geopolitical rivalries of powers like the United States and China.

The Korean War never truly ended – it was merely paused by an armistice, prolonging the Cold War order and sustaining 75 years of military confrontation. We believe the time has come to replace the armistice with a peace treaty, to create a framework where South and North Korea can coexist and contribute to peace in the world. Such a treaty should be pursued not through military coercion but through democratic, peaceful agreements that affirm the rights of the Korean people to live in freedom and security.

Mutual respect and cooperation between the two Koreas must become the foundation of a new era. Though we have lived under different systems for 80 years, we remain one people. Our differences in policy, philosophy, and lifestyle must not prevent us from respecting each other, supporting each other, and collaborating in political, economic, environmental, human rights, and cultural spheres.

The tragedy of separated families remains one of the deepest wounds of division. The first generation – those who once believed that reunions were just a matter of time – are now passing away without ever seeing their loved ones again. Eight decades of waiting have turned hope into grief.

The path to healing must begin with a solid peace agreement, allowing families to reunite freely, share memories, and restore the bonds of kinship. This is not only the yearning of the Korean people but also a hope cherished by the global community.

While the decades of division have created differences in identity and ideology, thousands of years of shared history, language, and heritage cannot be erased by 80 years of political separation. Our calling is to become one nation that serves the peace and well-being of the world – a united people working together for a common good that transcends borders.

For decades, the church has prayed for peace on the Korean Peninsula and has served as a bridge for communication and dialogue. The gospel is a gospel of reconciliation – calling us to repent, to forgive, and to even love our enemies.

The Church must now take concrete steps to deepen mutual understanding between South and North and foster emotional connection and trust. Living out the biblical command to love one’s enemies is not a mere ideal but a practical necessity for our shared future.

True reconciliation requires transcending ideological conflicts and respecting human dignity. We must bear each other’s burdens, laying aside self-interest and embracing the vision of a community bound by brotherly love. Forgiving the wounds, violence, and hatred of the past 80 years is the peace God desires for us.

Now is the time to act – to build solidarity, to unite in hope, and to create a new history of peace and justice on the Korean Peninsula. Though we have been divided, we pray for the Holy Spirit, the Prince of Peace, to bring unity – not as a romantic dream, but as a sacred commitment to the well-being of humanity.

The Spirit breaks down walls, affirms our shared humanity, and empowers us to be agents of liberation. May our prayers, actions, and vision prepare the way for the day when the Korean Peninsula will be a beacon of peace, reconciliation, and freedom.

A Prayer for Peace in Korea

Almighty God,

We thank You for the gift of liberation 80 years ago, when the Korean Peninsula was freed from colonial rule. Yet we confess with sorrow that division soon followed, and for eight decades South and North have lived apart, our prayer for unity still unfulfilled.

We remember the victims of war, the comfort women, the student soldiers, and all who perished far from home – still longing for dignity and return. Heal the deep wounds of history, O Lord, and grant us courage to seek reconciliation.

Break the chains of hostility and the shadow of war. Guide the nations to replace the armistice with true peace, so that South and North may live in mutual respect and cooperation.

Comfort separated families whose longing has endured for generations. Open the way for reunion, that they may embrace, share their stories, and rejoice together.

Strengthen Your Church to be a peacemaker – loving enemies, healing wounds, and building trust. Give us grace to forgive the violence, pain, and hatred of the past, and unite us as one people, serving the peace and prosperity of the world.

Come, Holy Spirit, Prince of Peace – break down every wall and make the Korean Peninsula a witness to Your love and reconciliation.

Amen.