Military service is mandatory in South Korea, due to tensions with the northern part of the peninsula, and lasts 21 months. Fr. Andrea Choi Byung- kyu, a military chaplain at the Military Academy, accompanies the soldiers in their education by giving them an example of faith and friendship and the many benefits it brings.

Daejeon (AsiaNews) - A priest's missionary effort can flourish even in the army. This is the case of Fr. Andrea Choi Byung- kyu , a military chaplain at the Military Academy, who with his example and witness has brought many young people to the Church. The priest comes from the Diocese of Daejeon, led by Msgr. Lazzaro You Heung- sik, who next August will host the Asian Youth Day.

Because of the great tension with North Korea, military service is mandatory in the South. It lasts 21 months, during which the young soldiers may request the spiritual assistance of Catholic, Protestant and Buddhist religious. It is a good opportunity for the Church in Korea to approach and carry out its mission among the many people it still has not touched.

The military vicariate was erected in Korea November 22, 1983: on July 21, 1986 it was elevated to a military ordinariate with Pope John Paul II's bull Spirituali militum curae. It is currently led by the Franciscan bishop Msgr. Francis Xavier Yu Soo-il, and has 80 diocesan priests. These include Fr. Andrew Choi, who leads the parish of Chuel - Byuk. The Military Academy near the parish is where soldiers undergo basic training: it is five weeks of training, which end with a mountain trek of 330 miles on foot. Every time the tour starts, Fr. Andrea prays; "Lord, stay close to me so that I can reveal You to the soldiers along the way, like you did on the road to Emmaus".

While trekking, usually no one speaks: every soldier has to carry a backpack of 20 pounds and a 4 pounds gun, and therefore does not have the strength to talk with others. During the trek all that can be heard is the heavy breathing and the commands of the officer. And in the midst of all of this the quiet voice of Fr. Andrew, who asks the soldiers how they are and as how their service proceeds. During breaks, the priest carries them water and something to eat (see photo): often a candy, to raise the sugar levels and give them more strength. In some cases, the young priest also takes the backpack for a particularly tried soldier.

With this testimony of friendship and faith, Fr. Andrea wins over the respect of the soldiers. Who sometimes, by the end of their service, ask: "Father, I do not know the Catholic Church. But could I come to your parish this Sunday?". Or: "Father, I left the Church, but I would like to return to your parish to attend Mass and confession".

And the many soldiers who can not go personally to his parish because of the location to which they were assigned - the many military posts close to North Korea where they have no leave for 6 or 8 months - send many letters addressed to Fr. Andrea Choi .

(translated from Korean by Fr. Jaedeok Peter Kim )

 

• korea
• military
• service
• chaplian
• soldiers
• mission