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News
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3 July 2008 To : National General Secretaries Dear Colleagues On the night of 1 July I received a telephone call from Mr. Song Jin Ho, Senior Executve Director, National Council of YMCAs of Korea, I was in Manila after visiting Baguio with our President Dr. Park, for some discussions with a university 29-30 June; and meetings with the NCY Philippines on 1 July; after the Roundtable on YMCA Global Citizens in Mission 21. It was a disturbing call - NGS Lee Hack Young and other staff had been injured and hospitalised after the riot police turned violent against a peaceful candlelight vigil that YMCA KOREA was leading on 28 June. Mr. Song informed that they were meeting with the Korean President to demand an apology for the police violence and brutality, on 3 July. As a quadrennial thrust, 'peace with justice, has been a significant mission expression of the YMCAs in East Asia, particularly in Japan and Korea together with China. We recognise and commend the leadership of Dr Yoon Jang-Hyun, President NCYK; and Mr Lee Hack Young, NGS NCYK, and the NCYK staff and YMCA members, in seeking and actively demonstrating the YMCA's belief in building a justpeace and protecting citizens' rights. In consultation with our President Dr. Park we have issued a letter of solidarity with the NCY Korea to the President of the Republic of Korea on the incident. The World Alliance has sent a similar letter. ATTACHED PLEASE FIND our letter, the NCY Korea Press Statement of 30 June, and under separate cover, some pictures from NCYK. We encourage you to send similar solidarity support messages to the NCY Korea and to the NGS for his speedy recovery and that of the colleagues who were also hospitalised. With best wishes and kind regards. Yours sincerely
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