Important points:

• More than 250 young adults and Methodist leaders gathered during Korea Peace Night at the World Methodist Conference to speak out against war and racism.
• The date of this event, August 15, is significant. It marks the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japanese occupation, and the year 2024 is the 71st year of the armistice in the Korean War.
• In his closing prayer, Bishop Hee-Soo Jung remembered those suffering from war and division around the world and asked God for peace.

More than 250 young adults, Methodist leaders from around the world, and top representatives of the World Council of Churches came together to speak out against war and racism during Korea Peace Night, which was held on August 15 as part of the World Methodist Conference.

Participants at the event included Rev. Jong Chun Park, President of the World Council of Methodist Churches, Bishop Ivan Abraham, outgoing General Secretary of the World Council of Methodist Churches, Roland Fernandes, Executive Officer of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, Rev. Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Bishop Hee-Soo Jung of the Wisconsin Conference, President of the Board of Global Ministries, and Bishop Chul Lee, President of the Korean Methodist Bishops.

Many young adults from Denmark, Palestine, South Korea, the United States and other countries also shared their thoughts, messages and prayers for peace on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

Welcoming the participants, Fernandes said that representatives of the Korean Methodist Church, the United Methodist Church and the World Council of Methodist Churches reaffirmed their commitment to peace on the Korean Peninsula, which they made at the 21st World Conference of Methodist Churches in Houston in 2016.

“I am convinced that Korea Peace Night will contribute significantly to a deeper understanding of the calling of Methodists as peacemakers,” he said. “I wish you a meaningful and enriching time of reflection and discussion as you explore common spiritual foundations.”

He later added that peace is an important mission of the Board of Global Ministries.

Rev. Dong Hwa Tae, General Secretary of the General Board of Missions of the Korean Methodist Church, in his welcoming speech, expressed regret over the division between North and South Korea, which hinders peaceful and faithful fellowship between the churches. He expressed concern that the political and military situation on the Korean peninsula is more serious and critical than ever, and called for a time of commitment to peace.

“I hope that tonight’s Korea Peace Night will be an opportunity for Methodists from around the world to come together to pray and advocate for the news of war to stop and the sound of peace to be heard,” Tae said. “I pray that the light of peace will spread far and wide tonight.”

The Park of the World Methodist Council reminded participants that they do not have to be heroes for peace, but encouraged them to do the small things they can do now, such as praying for peace and building bridges between North and South Korea.

“The first and most important step toward a small peace on the Korean Peninsula at present is to stop slandering each other’s so-called ‘main enemies’ such as ‘Reds (Communists)’ and ‘US puppets,'” Park said.

Pillay delivered a message of solidarity for peace and reminded participants that the date of the event, August 15, is significant. It marks the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japanese occupation, and the year 2024 is the 71st year of the Korean War armistice. He pledged to stand in solidarity with the Korean people and the Korean Church for peace.

“Our journey may be long, our path uncertain, but our ongoing ecumenical pilgrimage always seeks justice, peace and reconciliation among all Koreans and all nations,” he said. “We commit to continuing this sacred journey with the Korean people and their churches for as long as necessary.”

Particularly noteworthy are the voices of young Methodists from various countries who led the Korean Peace Night. Young adults from South Korea, Palestine and Denmark led the peace prayers.

Maria Thaarup, youth pastor of a United Methodist Church in Denmark, spoke about her motivation for participating.

“I think we don’t realize how important prayer is to change this world where wars are raging. When we come together, prayer, community and friendship are perhaps the most important weapons against war,” she said.

Three other young people who took part in the peace pilgrimage reported from their respective countries.

Rev. Lee Hwan-hee from South Korea recounted his experience when he received a false SMS alert from the government saying that North Korea had fired a missile at South Korea. He said that although it was false news, he was aware that he could not escape the fear and anxiety of war without an agreement.

He spoke about the Latin greeting “Si vales bene, valeo,” which means “If you are well, I am well,” and pointed out that the well-being of each person is linked to the well-being of all. He explained that people must work together for peace.

Maggie Taylor spoke about the racism experienced by immigrants, indigenous and African-American communities in the United States.

“Peace in the United States can only succeed if members of ethnic minorities work together and support one another,” she said.

Areej Masoud from Palestine shared her story of founding a program called “Kayari” to help both Christian and Muslim women achieve financial security – inspired by the teachings of Christ, who helped the marginalized and empowered the oppressed.

“Peace is not the opposite of war; it is an act of creation,” Masoud said. “Peace is a mosaic of many efforts, large and small. It requires us to take responsibility, act with intention, and create spaces where justice and compassion can flourish.”

“As we gather here tonight, let us remember that each of us has a role to play in this mosaic of peacebuilding. May each other’s efforts inspire us to fight for justice in Korea, the United States, Palestine and around the world.”

Participants of the event stood in a circle and sang “Our Wish” – the popular national song of North and South Korea – and “We Shall Overcome”, one of the most famous songs of the US civil rights movement. They wrote and hung prayers for peace.

In his closing prayer, Bishop Jung remembered those who suffer from war and division around the world and asked God for peace.

“God who dries our tears, God who knows the cries in our hearts, please grant peace to the Korean peninsula,” Jung prayed.

He noted that many countries are currently suffering from war.

“The war situation has been terrible for so long that your people are crying. God forgive, in Russia and Ukraine, in Palestine and Israel where there is currently war, and in African countries where there is civil war, there are still many people crying for their safety and peace.”

Reverend Katie Paul, pastor of Eden Chapel and Perkins United Methodist Church in Perkins, Oklahoma, read from the scriptures that evening.

“The Night of Peace on the Korean Peninsula was a time of shared passion and hope for the future,” she read. “The young people testifying to the need for peace in their own communities was a highlight that reminded us how important our contextual peace work is. Peace is not complete until there is peace for all.”

Kim is director of Korean and Asian news at United Methodist Communications. You can reach him at 615-742-5470 or (email protected)To read more news from the United Methodist Church, Subscribe to the free daily or weekly digests.