Kim Jeongseok, Superintendent of the Methodist Church, Elected as New NCCK President

One-Year Term Begins
Five Key Resolutions Adopted, Including Rejection of Church Secularization
"Firm Rejection of the Spread of Shamanistic Practices"

The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) has elected Kim Jeongseok, the superintendent of the Korean Methodist Church (age 64), as its 9th president. Kim officially took office during the 9th regular general assembly held at the Korean Church Centennial Memorial Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on December 4. His term will last for one year.

Kim Jeongseok, newly appointed president of the National Council of Churches in Korea and superintendent of the Korean Methodist Church. Provided by the National Council of Churches in Korea

President Kim graduated from Geochang High School, earned a Bachelor of Theology from Seoul Theological University, and obtained a Master of Theology (Th.M) from Methodist Theological University. He later received a Master of Divinity (M.Div) and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) from Asbury Theological Seminary in the United States. After being ordained as a pastor in the Central Conference, he began his ministry at Eden Church. From 2001 until October last year, he served for over 20 years as the senior pastor of Kwanglim Church in the Seoul Southern Conference. He then became the 30th superintendent of the Korean Methodist Church and currently holds various positions, including Distinguished Professor at Yonsei University United Graduate School of Theology, board member at Wesley Theological Seminary in the United States, and international director at Wesley House, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

In his inaugural address, President Kim stated, "Above all, today's Korean church must restore the power of the Word and prayer, which are the essence of the gospel." He added, "NCCK should strive to successfully carry out church unity initiatives and invigorate the spread of the gospel." He further emphasized, "Although my term is only one year, I will do my utmost to achieve unity within the Korean church by upholding God's Word in the spirit of the Reformation, and to open the path to healing conflicts and fostering reconciliation."

During the assembly, NCCK adopted five key resolutions focused on strengthening the unity of the Korean church and its social responsibility. The resolutions include: ▲ rejecting the secularization of the church ▲ promoting revival among the next generation and expanding the horizons of mission ▲ overcoming political and economic polarization, as well as social hatred and division ▲ resolving a hyper-conflict society by spreading a culture of dialogue and compromise ▲ fulfilling its role in achieving national unity.

Additionally, NCCK firmly rejected the spread of shamanistic practices, expressed its commitment to preserving the ecological environment based on the order of creation, and opposed the legalization of positions that are not in line with biblical teachings. Furthermore, regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the council announced its intention to continue prayers and exchange activities for ending war and achieving gospel-based peaceful reunification.

The resolutions also include efforts to address issues such as abortion and suicide, to overcome the low birthrate crisis, and to promote a culture of respect for life. NCCK also pledged to fulfill its public responsibility by preserving modern cultural heritage and thereby establishing the cultural identity of the Korean church. These resolutions were adopted in the name of all delegates at the 9th general assembly of NCCK.

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