A Joint Statement by World YMCA and Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs in solidarity with Korea YMCA to protect democracy and human rights

Last Updated (Wednesday, 18 December 2024 17:24)

The World YMCA and the Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs stand in strong solidarity with the National Council of YMCAs in Korea and all our brothers and sisters in the YMCA Movement in South Korea, in these very turbulent times.

We are inspired by the swift and resolute response of South Korea's people and democratic institutions to safeguard their constitutional and democratic order and protect their human rights. Their courage and vigilance exemplify the strength of a nation committed to preserving its core values, which in turn are those of the YMCA: freedom, equality and social justice which will lead to a lasting peace in the Korean peninsula and beyond. We condemn any attempts to jeopardize these shared values of nationhood and community, and we applaud any attempts to uphold them.

Our thoughts are with our YMCA colleagues and wider civil society, and all the young people and communities of Korea which they serve.

Carlos Sanvee, Secretary General, World YMCA

Nam Boo Won, Secretary General, Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs