NCCK Holds Candlelight Vigil, Spreads 'Light of Peace'

Candlelight vigil for peace at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Republic of Korea. NCCK

The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) on Dec. 3 held a candlelight vigil at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, in response to the calling of the World Council of Churches (WCC) to participate in "A Light of Peace" amid continuing tension and conflict on the Korean Peninsula that threatens peace and the security of the Korean people.

The NCCK vigil for "renouncing war and building peace" was observed at the same location as the Candlelight Revolution in which over 17 million people gathered to demand the resignation of President Park Geun-hye and full democracy in 2016-17.

Dr Lee Un-sunn led the WCC Common Prayer saying, "God, the giver of all life, our savior and comforter, give the people of Korea peace, and give peace to all peoples all over the world".

"God, grant us that our light shine where we are, so that we share the life and the hope you have given us," people responded.

Rev. Rah Haek-jib shared the biblical story of the Levite's concubine in his sermon.

"As apostles of peace, the Korean church, together with 10 million followers, strongly opposes a second war in the peninsula and therefore will not tolerate any forms of military actions aggravating the situation," people responded.

The campaign during the advent has attracted many young people in faith.

"I came here to Gwanghwamun again to sincerely pray for a peaceful future on the Korean peninsula in which we, the young generation, live without any fear of war and nuclear catastrophe," said Han Jeong Hyeon, a youth participant.