AP INFORM SOLIDARITY MISSION TO SOUTH KOREA

Members of AP INFORM pose for a photo after the event.

From July 21-25, 2023, the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) and the AP INFORM (Asia Pacific Interfaith Mission for the Rights of Migrants) organized the Solidarity Mission to South Korea.

The activity primarily planned for the strengthening and expanding of AP INFORM’s relation with other faith-based communities, migrant organizations, and migrant serving institutions.

AP INFORM’s main intent is to encourage these communities and organizations to further support the concern and uphold the rights of migrants, refugees and other displaced people in both the Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions. Likewise, the mission is a concrete expression of our solidarity with the struggle of migrants in South Korea particularly the undocumented migrants. We also expressed support to their demand for greater rights and protection, as well as, the campaign for concerning the WPS (working permit system).

The members of the AP INFORM Steering Group who participated in the said mission includes the following:

1. Rev. David Das, General Secretary, National Council of Churches in Bangladesh

2. Rev. Catherine Chang, Presbyterian Church of the USA (PCUSA), Asia and the Pacific, Migration and Human Trafficking

3. Rev. Marie Sol Villalon, Program Manager, Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Ministry of the Manila Episcopal Area, United Methodist Church in the Philippines

4. Mr. Mervin Toquero, Program Secretary, Faith Witness and Service, National Council of Churches in the Philippines and Head, International Secretariat, Church Witnessing with Migrants

5. Rev. Joram Calimutan, Program Coordinator, Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants

6. Mr. Aaron H. Ceradoy, General Manager Asia Pacific Mission for Migrant

The said activity was generously hosted by the Diaspora Church led by Rev. Jeong Jin-woo, Senior Pastor, the Osan Cultural Workers Center led its President the Rev. Jang Changweon and by the migrant Filipino group KASAMMAKO (Katipunan ng Samahan ng mga Migranteng Manggagawa sa Korea) led by by Pastor Jones Galang Jr.

Both the planning and mission was fully supported by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Anglican Church of Canada (ACC), Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Uniting Church of Christ in USA, Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA), and Zentrum für Mission und Öukumene (ZMO).

The Solidarity Mission begun in July 22, 2023, when the members of AP INFORM Steering Group met face-to-face for the first time after the Covid 19 pandemic. They reviewed and reflected the work of the network for the past two years, and deliberate on the implementation of their remaining plans for the year (2023).

Facilitated by Rev. Joram H. Calimutan of APMM & AP INFORM the meeting started with an interfaith worship service. Then an opening remarks by Aaron H. Ceradoy of the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) and greetings from Rev. Jang Changweon, Osan Cultural Workers Center, Rev. Jeong Jin-woo, Diaspora Church and Pastor Jones Galang, KASAMMA-KO. Ms. Sheila T. Bonifacio, Spokesperson of the International Migrant Alliance (IMA)-Asia Pacific Region provided the Asia and the Pacific Regional Situation to provide the participants a clear picture of the current trends and analysis in the region they are working with and its impact and ramification to the Migrant workers, refugees, and other displaced people’s.

Rev. Catherine Chang on the other hand, provided an Interfaith Reflection emphasizing the importance of the strong link between “memory” and organizing, and in using the multi-sensory approach in our networking and organizing work for Migrant rights, refugee and displaced peoples in the AsPac region.

Later in the afternoon, the Rev. Marie Sol Villalon shared the experience and perspective of the United Methodist Church in the Philippines in terms of providing Service and Protection for Migrants. Mr. Mervin Toquero on the other hand, facilitated the discussion on Building Partnership based on the experience and perspective of the CWMM or the Church Witnessing with Migrants .

The following day-July 22, 2023, the Steering Group members of AP INFORM attended a worship service at the Diaspora Church headed where they were warmly welcomed by members of the congregation. After the service, the group were hosted for a luncheon-dialogue with the migrants members of the said church. By early afternoon, they proceeded to participate in the medical mission and hair cutting service sponsored by the Korean Methodist Church. They capped the day’s exposure activities at the Osan Cultural Workers Center. The Center organized a dinner-reception and brief dialogue with Migrant workers who are members and beneficiaries of the center.

The whole day encounter and dialogue with the Migrants in the three activities highlighted the issue of the undocumented migrants in Korea, and the restrictions being imposed by the Korean government regarding the employment and movement of migrant workers from once place to another within Korea. It was a very interesting to witness and experience as well the concrete programs and projects being implemented at the Diaspora Church and by the Korean Methodist Church for and in involving the migrants. The issues raised by the migrants highlighted their concern about the brutal crackdown against undocumented migrants in Korea, and the several restrictions in terms of employment arrangement and mobility of migrant workers in Korea.

By July 24, 2023, the Steering Group continued with their planning session in the morning. Rev. David Das, General Secretary of NCC Bagladesh led the Opening prayer. The group started the discussion in enhancing the nature and orientation of AP INFORM. They agreed to prioritize the expansion and strengthening of relation of the Network with other faith communities, migrant organizations, and migrant serving institutions. Mr. Mervin Toquero of NCCP and CWMM facilitated the deliberations which also included discussion on Resource Mobilization. The Rev. Catherine Chang led the closing prayer prior to adjourning the meeting.

After adjourning the planning session, the group proceeded for a luncheon meeting hosted by Rev. Shin Shueng-min, Director, of the Christian Study Institute for Justice and Peace (CSIJP). In the meeting they were able to discuss matters related to currents of ecumenical movement in the country and of the role of the church in amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable sectors in the society like the migrants. Afterwards, the group went to visit the Korea Democracy Foundation where they were hosted by Kim Chan-ho, International Program Manager of the foundation. Mr. Kim and the group were able to discuss the history of Korean democratic movement against the martial rule in 1970’s and the importance of interactive learning of history and storytelling especially among the youth and students.

Later that day, some Members of AP INFORM had bilateral meetings with the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), and the Rev. Anh Jae-wong former General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA). Others went to meet the members of the International Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP-Korea). These bilateral meetings does not only dealt with their institutional concerns but also to introduce and promote the works of AP INFORM.

The Solidarity Mission concluded on July 25, 2023, against the backdrop of the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement. Tensions between North Korea and the United States and South Korea were escalating, posing a threat to stability in the region. AP INFORM expressed hope for de-escalation to prevent further devastation, bloodshed, and displacement for the Korean people and migrants living and working in Korea. The mission successfully achieved its objectives of strengthening relationships, raising awareness about migrants’ rights, and expressing solidarity with migrants in South Korea. AP INFORM remains committed to its mission and will continue working to support migrants, refugees, and displaced individuals in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions.