Christians have a moral obligation to respond to the growing famine in North Korea, according to a United Methodist bishop who led a 10-member U.S. delegation there Jan. 21-28.
Bishop Melvin Talbert of San Francisco Area, also president of the National Council of Churches (NCC), said although the NCC delegation's visit was under some government control, the group received enough independent evidence "where we can say the famine is real."
The food shortage was created by food production problems compounded by severe flooding in 1994 and 1995, devastating crops. "My assessment is that people already are dying of starvation," Talbert said.
One example offered by reliable sources, he said, was a story of bodies of starvation victims being piled up near a railroad station because the frigid weather prevented burial.
Food rationing there is down to 200 to 400 grams a day, even though 450 is the minimum needed to maintain nutrition.
Church World Service (CWS), the NCCC's relief agency, collected more than $400,000 for rice, beef, antibiotics, blankets, hospital supplies and rehydration tablets for North Korea. Talbert's delegation witnessed the unloading of a CWS rice shipment at the port of Nampo during its visit.
CWS launched a new $500,000 appeal for North Korean aid in January and has become the implementing partner for the ecumenical effort of ACT, an international coalition of "churches acting together."
Talbert said he believes they were able successfully to negotiate for establishment of a CWS liaison office in North Korea and expects its approval from the government soon.
On its last night in North Korea, the group was hosted by a top government official, Kim Jong Sun, who "wanted us to be sure to tell the story to the world that they are in need."
Talbert acknowledged that North Korea remains a closed country with its own brand of socialism. But, he declared, "as people of faith, we need to remember that when brothers and sisters are in need we dare not limit our response to those who think like us religiously or politically."
Besides assessing the famine, another of the delegation's goals was to meet with Christians in North Korea, specifically, the Korean Christians Federation.
"They aren't strong, but they are growing, they are beginning to exert their influence," Talbert said.
Although he couldn't assess "how free they are really to be the church in a way we are the church here," the bishop characterized the federation members as desiring to be faithful followers of Christ.
He said he was impressed with the leadership of the Rev. Young Sup Kang, chairman of the federation's central committee, and with the faithfulness of churchgoers who attended Sunday worship at the Bongsu Church in Pyongyang. Because of a severe energy shortage, the church and many other buildings in North Korea are unheated, despite the bitter cold.
Jan. 31, 1997
Please give to UMCOR Advance #226435, North Korea Emergency. Give through your local United Methodist church or send financial contributions to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Call 1-800-554-8583 to make a credit card donation. One hundred percent of your gift goes to relief efforts in North Korea. United Methodists' generous giving to the One Great Hour of Sharing, part of their ongoing contribution to mission around the world, supplements the cost of Advance gifts.
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of the United Methodist Church.
United Methodist Committee on Relief
Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
Voice Phone: 212-870-3816; FAX: 212-749-2641
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