World Churches say N Korea test highlights need to abolish all nuclear weapons

At a time when the international community is re-kindling the vision of a world free of nuclear weapons, the North Korean nuclear test is a source of profound concern, stated the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia.

"The World Council of Churches is deeply troubled by North Korea's nuclear test and profoundly concerned for the people of North Korea and surrounding countries", Kobia said in a public comment yesterday.

"There is no place for nuclear arsenals in international affairs - whether by a country like North Korea or by the eight other self-appointed nuclear powers that would have others believe their security requires weapons of mass destruction", he added.

Praising the "remarkably positive meeting" on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty held at the United Nations ten days ago, Kobia stressed: "It is unfortunate that North Korea was not there; neither were Pakistan, India or Israel."

The governing bodies of the WCC have repeatedly called on all states to join in negotiations and efforts towards the elimination of nuclear weapons. WCC member
churches in every region of the world have consistently condemned nuclear weapons as a sin against God and humankind.

Source: WCC