Mark Lippert said a few words at a farewell reception hosted by Ho Young Ahn, the Republic of Korea Ambassador to the United States, before Ambassador Lippert left for the Korea in October of 2014.
The Korean church made statements in regards to the attack made on Mark William Lippert, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, on March 5 local time.
"Regardless of the reason, we do not condone this inhumane terror attack, and we express our deepest apologies to the ambassador," said a statement from the Christian Council of Korea (CCK).
"The United States, which stood by us and dedicated countless young peoples' lives and service during one of our most painful times in the Korean War, is one of our most faithful allies," the CCK continued. The CCK further criticized the incident, saying, "This recent attack on the ambassador is a blatant act of terror and an action that hurt the mutual relationship of trust and partnership between the U.S. and South Korea."
"We call on the government of South Korea"”one that believes in free democracy and justice"”to swiftly and accurately investigate this incident," the CCK said. "We will be praying with one heart for the ambassador who had to endure this traumatic and hurtful incident, as well as his family and loved ones who are concerned for his well-being."
The Communion of Churches in Korea (CCIK) also expressed deep concern regarding the incident, and noted, "An attack on the ambassador, who represents his home country, is not just a diplomatic issue, but it affects the friendship of the two countries. This is a terrible incident that should not have happened, and would have sufficiently shocked the people of both countries."
"Using violence as a way to resolve any problem should never be condoned, and we strongly condemn this act of terror. Perpetrators of such barbaric violence that goes against democracy must receive due punishment," the CCIK continued. "We hope that this incident will not hurt the trust between the U.S. and South Korea that has been built up over so many years, and we call on the government to deliver a swift and precise investigation and that the judicial authorities will issue an impartial and fair punishment."
"After hearing about the incident regarding Mark Lippert through the media, we could not contain our overwhelming concern," stated the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK). "Whatever the reason may be, resorting to violence can never be justified."
"We hope that there will not be misunderstandings between the U.S. and South Korea due to the incident," the NCCK continued. "We wish Lippert a speedy recovery, and our deepest consolation to Lippert's family and loved ones."
The National Council of Churches for Christ USA (NCCCUSA), the Korean United Methodist Church of USA, the Korean PCUSA, the Korean United Church of Christ, and the Korean Episcopal Church shared the same thoughts together with the NCCK towards Ambassador Lippert.
Similarly, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PCROK) expressed consolation, but also added, "Even if this attack was supposedly an action to express opposition against the drills, using violence and threatening a life should not be tolerated. True peace cannot be fulfilled by aggression or violence."
"However, we hope that this incident would not pervert or distort future efforts toward reunification and peace in the Korean peninsula," the PCROK continued. "The North and South, as well as the United States, are still in a continuous state of tension, and we encourage a halt in military preparation for war and to move forward in conversation and cooperation to improve North and South relations and to construct a way for peace in the Korean peninsula."
In response, the Korean Association of Church Communication (KACC) stated, "This is a manifestation of the way that an ideological bias can lead a person to a very wrong path. We cannot withhold criticism for those who perpetuate Kim Jong Eun's propaganda and call the drills"”which is a defensive training to maintain peace and protect democracy"”as "military preparation for war,' when they cannot even point out the fact that North Korea is ruled by an absolute dictatorship and inherited monarchy that is strictly and violently restricting the human rights of the people, and the fact that the North Korean government invests money in nuclear weapons yet starves its people."
"Furthermore, this recent act of terror must be condemned in the name of the South Korean people as an anti-national act of brutality," the KACC continued. "We call on the government to not only issue a strong punishment, but to confirm the safety of the nation once again. We also call on the government to clearly show the fact that there is nothing that can shake our stance that our relationship with the United States is one that secures the safety of South Korea. We also pray that God's comfort and healing will be with Ambassador Mark Lippert."
