Feature story
Pilgrimage to the Demilitarized Zone
On 9 August a Pilgrimage to the Demilitarized Zone began at Jangsan Observatory, led by Anglican priest Rev. Ho-hyun Kim. On clear days, one can usually see the mountains of North Korea from the observatory, but that morning they were shrouded in heavy fog. Rev. Kim reflected that the current inter-Korean situation seemed similar to the foggy landscape before us, yet he expressed hope that a clear day would soon come.
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At the Korean Peninsula Café they met and conversed with local residents.
NCCK
Hearts turned to prayer
After greetings at the observatory, participants walked silently for about an hour along the Demilitarized Zone pilgrimage trail near the North Korean border, with hearts turned toward prayer. The group then visited the village of Majung-ri and the Korean Peninsula Café (The Platz 907), where they met and conversed with local residents. Inside the café were numerous photographs of migratory birds—some endangered—taken in the Demilitarized Zone. The sight inspired hopes that, like these birds that freely cross between North and South, one day people might also move freely across the border.
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Photo:
NCCK
Bridge of Freedom
The next stop was Imjingak, where the group visited the Bridge of Freedom and the steam locomotive at Jangdan Station—poignant reminders of the enduring wounds of division. They also visited the Peace Statue on the Road to Reunification, dedicated to remembering the suffering caused by the Japanese military sexual slavery system and to expressing the hope for peaceful reunification.
At Manghyangdae, participants shared reflections, agreeing that “Christians around the world today bear the responsibility to help lead the Korean Peninsula toward peace and reunification.” The pilgrimage concluded with a time of silent prayer.
At the site, Pillay remarked, “It is deeply saddening that North and South Korea are physically so close, yet relations have grown distant and communication so difficult. The WCC and Christians worldwide will stand in solidarity with the National Council of Churches in Korea and border communities to fulfill our mission of reconciliation and peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
National Council of Churches in Korea general secretary Rev. Jong-sang Kim also shared, “Paju and other Demilitarized Zone border areas are places where one can most vividly feel the pain of division, where the land remains the same but the people have been separated, unable to freely cross. I hope that through today’s pilgrimage, Christians will be moved by this pain and willingly take part in opening the way toward reconciliation and reunification.”
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At the Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas in Seoul.
NCCK
Praying together at Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas
Pillay attended a service at the Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas in Seoul, where Archbishop Ambrosios Zografos leads a church that is both a member of the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches in Korea. Pillay joined the congregation, sharing in the fellowship of the saints. Following the service and the exchange of the peace, Archbishop Ambrosios expressed that the general secretary’s visit had brought great encouragement to both the Orthodox Church of Korea and the Korean church as a whole. In turn, Pillay remarked that participating in the Eucharistic service had been a profound blessing, and he affirmed his commitment to pray together for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
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Global Prayer for Peace and Reunification.
NCCK
In addition to the annual Global Prayer for Peace and Reunification, Pillay participated in meetings with church leaders, students, ecumenical partners, and communities, as all stood in solidarity for reunification, reconciliation, and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
