World Communion of Reformed Churches News Release

23 November 2012

Korean church leader shares vision for next decade

The Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) is to focus over the coming decade on the

role of churches as reconcilers and healers in society, according to the church's

senior elected official.

"Our church recognizes that Korean society is torn by dissension at different levels

and so we want to build our church as a healer of society," says Son Dal Ig, who

serves as PCK's moderator.

Son says the church's goal for the next 10-year period is to work towards "true"

reconciliation on the Korean peninsula that will lead to peace and reunification.

The moderator made his remarks during discussions in Geneva, Switzerland, today with

the General Secretary and senior staff of the World Communion of Reformed Churches

(WCRC).The church's newly-appointed Ecumenical Officer, Byun Chang-bae, accompanied

the moderator. PCK is the largest of four active WCRC member churches in South

Korea.

The meeting in Geneva follows PCK's centenary celebrations earlier this year. At

that time the church endorsed an all-encompassing theme for PCK's mission in the

post-centenary era: Friends of the least of these. The text refers to the biblical

passage in Matthew 25 in which Jesus promises salvation to those who care for the

least valued people in a community.

WCRC's general secretary, Setri Nyomi, noted that PCK's focus on "the least of

these" in the world's societies is shared by WCRC.

"This is even more reason for PCK and WCRC to work closer together in this new era,"

says Nyomi.

Today's discussions included a review of plans for the World Council of Churches

(WCC) assembly scheduled for Busan, South Korea in October 2013. PCK is taking an

active leadership role in planning for the event, which is held once every seven

years.

Nyomi reported that WCRC's Officers will be meeting in Busan in parallel with the

assembly. WCRC is also supporting the participation of Reformed church theology

students in an intensive short-term study programme organized by WCC to coincide

with the assembly.

WCRC represents 80 million Christians in 108 countries. Its member churches are

active worldwide in initiatives supporting economic, climate and gender justice,

mission, and cooperation among Christians of different traditions.

Media Contacts:

Kristine Greenaway

Office of Communications

World Communion of Reformed Churches

Email: kgr@wcrc.ch

tel: +41 (0)22 791 62 43; fax: +41 (0)22 791 65 05

www.wcrc.ch