Korean Protestant groups mourn Nepal flood victims, cite 'heavy responsibility' over climate crisis

South Korea's Protestant community expressed deep condolences to Nepal over the devastating floods and called on religious communities to take responsibility for climate-related disasters.

The Korean Church Association sent a pastoral letter Friday in the name of its representative chairman, Kim Jeong-seok, saying it "deeply mourns those who lost their lives and extends sincere comfort to all who have lost their families and homes."

The letter also said the association "spoke by phone with local missionaries immediately after the disaster to assess the damage and discuss relief measures," and pledged to "work actively on recovery efforts in cooperation with missionaries and the Korean community association."

The Rev. Park Seung-ryeol, secretary-general of the National Council of Churches in Korea, also sent a letter of condolence, saying he "conveys deep mourning over the enormous loss of life" and praying "that rescue and recovery operations proceed as quickly as possible, and that all missing persons — including Koreans — return safely to their loved ones."

Park said the disaster "appears to have been caused by the climate crisis brought on by humanity itself, which makes the victims' sacrifice all the more heartbreaking and leaves us with a heavy sense of responsibility," and added that the church would "reflect on its shared responsibility in addressing climate disasters."

Other religious communities had already expressed solidarity with Nepal before the Protestant groups. The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism issued a statement of condolence in the name of its head administrator, praying for the peaceful repose of Nepali citizens killed in the sudden floods, and announced plans to deliver emergency relief funds to share in the suffering of its global neighbors.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul also released an official message praying that "the Lord's comfort be with those who have lost their homes to the natural disaster," and pledged multifaceted support through Catholic relief organizations. Won Buddhism similarly signaled its intention to join fundraising efforts for disaster recovery in a statement issued in the name of its head of administration, underscoring the importance of humanitarian relief that transcends religious boundaries.