The President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea told AsiaNews that "tensions are designed to save face and get financial assistance. I appeal to all Koreans to pray especially for those people who cause pain and death by their actions."

Seoul (AsiaNews) - North Korea "wants to get foreign financial aid without giving up its pride or sense of self-esteem. Catholic bishops are very sad about such tensions and Pyongyang's threats, which make the world more anxious and unhappy," said Mgr Peter Kang U-il, bishop of Cheju and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea.

As tension mounts in the peninsula and signs of war mount, the bishops "are trying in every way to find a road to peace. Although South Koreans seem calm and quiet, the current situation has shaken people inside. We may be used to these threats, but no one can deny the possibility of a sudden military confrontation. "

North Korea," the prelate noted, "may be in this situation in which it threatens everybody because it is not able to revitalise its economy and save itself from going over the brink. It needs foreign investment but also self-respect. It wants to save face, something we feel strongly for. In the 60 years since the war, North Korean rulers have held a sense of superiority and self-sufficiency, but this recipe has destroyed their economy."

Hence, "I personally appeal to all Koreans to pray for peace in the peninsula," Bishop Kang said. With this in mind, "I wrote a prayer to ask God to show compassion for a group of fools who, by their own actions, are bringing hunger, suffering, violence and death to their own people." (JYL)

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