Bitsomang Medical Outreach for Korean Reunification

Part 1: Daeseong-dong

Hello.

Rain has been falling since early this morning.

According to the weather forecast, temperatures are expected to become noticeably cooler after today’s rain. Knowing that autumn will soon arrive makes the rain feel different and somehow refreshing.

As previously announced, this year’s summer outreach by the Bitsomang Medical Mission Team was conducted in two parts under the theme of Korean reunification.

This report introduces the first mission, which took place in Daeseong-dong.

August 10

The Bitsomang Medical Mission Team traveled to Daeseong-dong, a village located so close to Kaesong that the city almost seemed within reach.

The Kaesong Industrial Complex development area could be seen to the left, while Mount Songak and downtown Kaesong were visible to the right.

The village was so close to North Korea that we were told complaints had occasionally been raised from the North when people in the South gathered and prayed aloud together.

We arrived at the Unification Bridge, where the road toward reunification comes to a halt, and began completing the procedures required to enter the Civilian Control Zone.

The pastor of Panmunjom Church personally came to meet us.

We were told that outside visitors could enter Daeseong-dong only when a resident of the village came to escort them. We were therefore especially grateful that the pastor had made the trip to welcome us himself.

After completing the entry procedures and crossing the Unification Bridge, we could see Dorasan Station to our left, with the Imjin River railway bridge running alongside it.

After crossing the Imjin River and traveling farther, we reached Camp Bonifas. The pastor explained that turning right from there would lead to Panmunjom.

After passing the camp and continuing a little farther, we saw Tongilchon, or Unification Village. From there, we traveled north until Daeseong-dong finally came into view.

Throughout the journey from the Unification Bridge to Daeseong-dong, and during the entire outreach, several armed members of a Joint Security Area platoon guided and protected us.

Without their presence, it would have been difficult to believe that we were inside the Civilian Control Zone or so close to North Korea, because the surrounding landscape appeared remarkably peaceful.

Our first impression of Daeseong-dong was that of a well-maintained rural community in North America.

According to the pastor, residents received benefits such as various tax exemptions and exemption from military service. At the same time, they lived under many restrictions, including strict travel procedures and limitations on the sale of property and the construction or expansion of buildings.

Because of the village’s proximity to North Korea, only people originally from Daeseong-dong could officially be recognized as residents.

Medical Outreach

During the mission, we prepared the medical service area and provided care to approximately 50 residents.

Most residents appeared to be financially stable, and many had already received—or were currently receiving—care at university hospitals in Seoul.

Because the entire village functioned almost like one extended family, however, this close-knit community structure sometimes created difficulties in practicing one’s faith, particularly in attending church.

Although some children attended churches outside the village, many adult residents did not attend Panmunjom Church. As a result, the church primarily served as a military church for members of the Joint Security Area platoon.

Nevertheless, we believed that sharing the Gospel with the residents remained an important prayer request and a mission to be fulfilled through continued prayer.

Daeseong-dong stands at the very front line facing North Korea.

For that reason, we believe it can also serve as a spiritual outpost for sharing the Gospel with the people of the North.