Statement of The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK)

The PROK welcomes the DPRK’s declaration of its nuclear program

and destruction of the cooling tower

The following statement was issued by the PROK, through the Peace and Reunification Committee, welcoming the DPRK accounting of its nuclear program and destruction of the cooling tower at its main nuclear reactor. 

The PROK welcomes the DPRK’s declaration of its nuclear program and destruction of the cooling tower

Statement of The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK)
June 27, 2008

The PROK, having consistently prayed and worked for reconciliation and peace of the Korean peninsula, wholeheartedly welcomes yesterday’s declaration by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) of its nuclear program and its intention to destroy the cooling tower at its main nuclear reactor, a symbol of the DPRK’s nuclear weapon program.

The action DPRK will show the world today in destroying the cooling tower is a significant first step toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. The nuclearization of the DPRK and the US branding of the DPRK as a state sponsor of terrorism and as part of an “axis of evil” have been the core causes of tension on the Korean peninsula. We believe that the DPRK’s accounting of its nuclear work and destruction of the cooling tower can revitalize efforts for normalization of DPRK-US relations and for peace on the Korean peninsula.

The DPRK accounting of its nuclear program and destruction of the cooling tower does not mean the perfect accomplishment of the denuclearization and peace of the Korean peninsula, but, recognizing that these steps are definitely a monumental turning point, we expect our government also to actively cooperate for peace on the Korean peninsula. We further urge all nuclearized nations to abandon their nuclear weapons programs. We will closely watch the course of developments and continue to pray for the realization of God’s peace on the Korean peninsula and around the world.

Rev. Yoon Kil-Soo
General Secretary

Rev. Kwon Young-Jong
Chair, Peace and Reunification Committee