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Dear President Donald Trump,

Greetings to you in the name of the risen Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. The National Council of Church in Korea and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. wish to share our deep concern about the escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula.

Tensions and the possibility of war breaking out on the Korean peninsula has risen to its highest level in over a decade. With every new military move, we see that tensions rise further and drag us closer to nuclear annihilation. We believe that you want to avoid nuclear annihilation, therefore we ask you to forego all acts that escalate the conflict. We see that the South Korea and US agreement to install the THAAD missile defense system contributed to a significant increase in tensions without significantly increasing the defense of South Korea.

We strongly urge you to cease all military responses to the Korean conflict and instead proceed to immediate discussions with North Korea that could lead to a peace treaty and eventual denuclearization of the peninsula. Through our relationships to Christians in North Korea we know that they will do everything in their power to create a deterrent to all military threats. We also know that negotiations that seek to hold power and pressure over North Korea will only increase distrust. Therefore, we know that discussions which build up a trust that the US will never attempt a preemptive strike is the only possible path for peaceful resolution of the conflict. This is your chance to make a huge breakthrough amid extraordinary danger.

We pray that God may guide you in wisdom and caution in these times as you consider our request.

In Christ’s name,

Mr. Jim Winkler
President and General Secretary
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA

Rev. Kim Young Ju
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in Korea

Rev. Sharon Watkins
Governing Board Chair
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA

H.E. Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea
President
National Council of Churches in Korea