Churches, diplomats talk with North Korea

Christian Century, May 3, 2003

Executives of the National Council of Churches and of Church World Service and representatives of member churches began laying plans in mid-April for a common strategy on U.S.-North Korea policy even as North Korean officials agreed to hold negotiations with China and the U.S.

The ecumenical leaders said they hope to consult in Washington, D.C., with North and South Korean church leaders and later this year send a U.S. ecumenical delegation to visit both Koreas.

Following an April 11 delivery of fortified flour to North Korea, relief and church officials resolved to continue humanitarian assistance to the millions of North Koreans whose survival hangs on foreign food aid.

"Our partners in Korea have urged us to work with them to find ways to lower tensions and to stave off the potential of a greater humanitarian crisis," said John L. McCullough, executive director of CWS, who also emphasized the importance of a diplomatic resolution.

As church leaders outlined their plans, it was learned April 15 that the U.S. would conduct its first talks with the North Korea government since Kim Jong Il restarted its main nuclear weapons plant. According to the New York Times, China agreed to act as a full participant in talks later in April rather than just convening them. North Korea had insisted on negotiating only with the U.S., but the White House wanted a multinational effort to break the impasse.