Hankichong New Year's Message "No Criticism, But Mutual Respect... Hopes for a Year of Unity"

Only Inclusion Can Lay the Foundation for Integration and Resolve Ideological Conflicts
The Burden of War Falls on the People; Security and Diplomatic Capabilities Must Be Strengthened

Interim President of the Korea Christian Federation, Lawyer Kim Hyun-sung

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] The Korea Christian Federation issued a New Year's message under the name of interim representative chairman Attorney Kim Hyun-sung, urging "Let us respect each other without mocking or criticizing one another."

Chairman Kim mentioned the sense of crisis arising from domestic ideological conflicts, the Itaewon tragedy, North Korea's provocations, and the war in Ukraine, stating, "As we welcome a new year of hope, I pray that God's grace and peace will always overflow upon the Korean church, the Republic of Korea, North Korea, and the entire world."

He continued, "Just as a person with strong faith accepts those who are weak, even if someone does not agree with me or is even in an adversarial relationship, the heart that can embrace the other is called 'inclusion.' Through accepting and tolerating each other, we can lay the foundation for integration and even resolve social issues such as ideological conflicts," emphasizing this point.

Furthermore, he said, "As we open a new year, I hope we can start with a heart of inclusion, just as the scripture says, 'Accept one another, then' (Romans 15:7). I earnestly hope this year will be one in which we overcome conflicts and achieve national unity with this mindset."

Full text of the New Year's message below

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God" (Romans 15:7)

As we welcome the year 2023, the Year of the Black Rabbit (Gyemyo), a new year of hope, I pray that God's grace and peace will always overflow upon the Korean church, the Republic of Korea, North Korea, and the entire world.

According to the '2022 Survey on Korean Consciousness and Values' released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the group with the most severe conflict was 'progressives and conservatives' (89.5%). Last year, ideological conflicts were intensely expressed in our society. The ruling and opposition parties neglected pressing livelihood issues such as budget approval by exceeding legal deadlines and instead politicized all matters, escalating confrontations rather than resolving the people's conflicts.

I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and victims of the Itaewon tragedy. We cannot and should not tell them to forget their pain or that time will heal all wounds. All we can do is quietly comfort them and stay by their side so they do not feel alone. Investigating and examining the events at that time to reveal the full truth is the path to creating a safer Republic of Korea and preventing such tragedies from recurring. This is not a matter to be politicized but a path we must all find together to overcome pain and suffering.

North Korea's missile provocations have become a daily occurrence, to the point where missile launches no longer even make the news. We must remain vigilant and never neglect thorough preparations for war. North Korea is still preparing nuclear tests related to the miniaturization and lightening of nuclear weapons, and we face an uncertain diplomatic landscape influenced by the interests of global powers surrounding the Republic of Korea.

As seen in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the victims of war are always the people, and without decisions from a few leaders, wars do not end and the people's suffering continues. The Korea Christian Federation urgently calls on Russian leaders to immediately cease their invasion war, comforts the people of Ukraine, and prays for the arrival of peace.

At the start of 2023, the Year of the Black Rabbit (Gyemyo), a topic to consider is how to catch the two rabbits of 'progressives and conservatives.' This is the core of social conflict, and without resolving this issue, social integration cannot be achieved. The Bible says, 'Let the one who is strong in faith not look down on the one who is weak, and let the weak not criticize the strong.' This can be understood as a call to respect each other without mocking or criticizing.

However, upon further reflection, the strong have many choices, while the weak have only one. The strong have a broader spectrum. Just as a person with strong faith accepts the weak, even if someone does not agree with me or is even in an adversarial relationship, the heart that can embrace the other is called 'inclusion.' This year, our society needs an attitude of inclusion. Through accepting and tolerating each other, we can lay the foundation for integration and resolve even ideological conflicts, which are social problems.

As we open a new year, I hope we can start with a heart of inclusion, just as the scripture says, 'Accept one another, then.' I earnestly hope this year will be one in which we overcome conflicts and achieve national unity with this mindset.

On the New Year's morning of 2023, the Year of the Black Rabbit (Gyemyo), Korea Christian Federation

Interim Representative Chairman Attorney Kim Hyun-sung

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.