Seoul, Israel Differ on Korean Pilgrims

Pushing aside warnings from the government about danger levels in the Middle East, thousands of South Korean Protestants from some 850 Christian affiliations nationwide are set to attend a peace rally in Israel early next month.

Some 3,000 college students here along with overseas Korean Christians mainly in the United States, Japan and China will be attending the "Jerusalem Jesus March 2004" August 7-10 between the biblical cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

For months since the announcement of their planned Israel trip, the South Korean government has asked the Christian Council of Korea to postpone or even cancel the trip, as the recent string of terror threats and danger levels aimed at foreigners including Koreans in the region has sharply increased, plaguing any visit attempted by a national.

But members of the council are adamant to see their trip pull through, citing that the event was planned in accordance with the invitation of Israeli and Palestinian governments which both have guaranteed utmost security.

"This rally has been thoroughly planned out not only by the affiliations here, but in cooperation with the Israeli government which invited us to come and promised us complete security," a representative of Inter-coop, a participating missionary affiliation told the Korea Herald.

"The Palestinian government has also sent a formal invitation and welcoming statement in December last year, confirming that our mission is being conducted through active support and is welcomed by both Israelis and Palestinians."

More than 100 South Koreans have already left for the Middle Eastern country for the religious rally despite the government's strong recommendation not to visit the dangerous region.

The delegation set out in five subgroups to Israel via Syria and Jordan to attend the "Jerusalem Jesus March 2004" ahead of the 3,000 who will be on their way from early next week.

"There is no actual law that allows us to forcefully stop them (from leaving) the country to participate in the rally," an official at Seoul's Foreign Ministry said.

"Although the Israeli government has confirmed that they will provide security for these Koreans, we have been preparing all countermeasures should any incident that threatens their safety occur."

Israel`s diplomatic mission to Seoul said they support the visit of Koreans in their country and reassured that no real danger will be imposed on them.

"We understand that the Korean government will only think in best terms for their citizens. But we assure that our country is safe for foreign travelers and no major concerns should arise," an official at the embassy said.

The Seoul government has been worried about possible terrorist assaults targeting Koreans or accidental clashes with local Muslims since the venues have seen many terrorist attacks involving Israelis and Palestinians.

Officials are particularly concerned since the Iraqi militants who kidnapped and beheaded Kim Sun-il last month recently claimed that they killed him because he and his company were engaged in Christian activities in Iraq.