Update From Korea

11/August/2008 06:02 Filed in: HG Schools

We had the opportunity last Tuesday to rally around the South Koreans and support them in prayer as Bush arrived in Seoul, on his way to Beijing for the Olympics. His visit was greeted by dueling demonstrations. While there was an outdoor Christian prayer service, which was attended by approximately 30,000 people to support him, there was also an estimated 20,000 anti-government protesters who had gathered in downtown Seoul.

Pastor Deborah, who is the pastor of Shalom Mission Church, gathered all the Holy Given students and members of the church to go downtown where the demonstrations were held, to pray for the nation and into the situation. When we got there, the demonstrations had already begun. We headed first towards where the Bush supp
orters were and prayer service was held. They spoke against the public outcry against U.S beef imports that had occurred earlier this year, the anti-government sentiments, and urged strongly for partnership between Korea and US.

We then moved on towards where the anti-Bush protesters had gathered. Majority of the protesters were youth, in their late teens to early 20s. They did not look like they knew exactly what the demonstrations were about, but were there because of the hype. The police were on guard in full force, they had their shield, helmets, batons and water sprays. Reinforced police buses surrounded governmental offices and the protest areas. The National Police Agency said they deployed some 20,000 officers to maintain order.

We split into 8 groups of 6, and went into different parts of the protest areas to pray. My group went near the US Embassy and Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House, which is the office and residence of the President) and spent some time in prayer. The newspaper reported the next day, that in spite of some arrests, there were minimal disturbances for the size of the demonstrations! Please keep praying for peace, unity and stability in the nation, and also for improved relations and reconciliation between North and South Korea.