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Your Honour, Justice Moon Hyung-bae,
I send you greetings from the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva, Switzerland. The WCC’s membership comprises some 352 member churches in over 120 countries (including the Republic of Korea), representing a total constituency of almost 600 million Christians globally.
Since its formation in the aftermath of the Second World War, the WCC has consistently advocated for the rule of law as a key constraint on abuses of political or economic power, a bulwark against the violation of human rights and dignity, and an essential guarantor of democracy against authoritarianism. Courts and legal tribunals at both national and international levels carry a solemn responsibility for adjudication of the law and for ensuring legal accountability for actions that threaten these values.
Moreover, the WCC has a long history of working with and supporting churches and civil society partners in the Republic of Korea in their efforts for human rights and democracy and against military dictatorship.
Therefore, the WCC is closely following the current proceedings in the Constitutional Court of Korea over which you preside, regarding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Indeed, in considering this matter, the Constitutional Court of Korea carries responsibility for a matter of profound and pivotal significance for the present and future of democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Korea. We pray for you and your fellow judges, that you may be given strength, courage and wisdom for this critical task.
At the same time, we are deeply concerned by the uncertainty, unrest and division that is mounting in South Korean society while the Court’s decision is awaited. It is inevitable that prolonged decisions on important matters would lead to chaos and the destabilisation of the country. I therefore appeal to you to be swift in concluding your deliberations, and through your ruling to restore confidence in the future of democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Korea.
We continue to remember the people of South Korea in our prayers for peace and wisdom.
Yours respectfully,
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
general secretary
World Council of Churches
