Reverend Oyama Reiji (尾山令仁), who called for Japan's apology for its invasion of the Korean Peninsula, passed away on the 16th. On the 22nd, Pastor So Kang-seok of Sae Eden Church, former chairman of the Korea Christian Federation (HanGyoChong), a Protestant ecumenical organization, visited the bereaved family to offer condolences.
Pastor So Kang-seok (center) is offering condolences to Pastor Oyama Seiji (right), son of the late Pastor Oyama Reiji, at the Tokyo Bible Christian Church in Japan where the late Pastor Oyama Reiji served. Photo by So Kang-seok
According to HanGyoChong, Pastor So met with Reverend Oyama's eldest son, Reverend Oyama Seiji (淸仁), at the Bible Christian Church Tokyo Church in Tokyo, Japan, in the afternoon of the same day to express his condolences.
At the meeting, Pastor So comforted the family, saying, "Many Christians in Korea, as well as the people of the Republic of Korea, deeply cherish Reverend Oyama's spirit and values, his heart of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation."
Born in Tokyo in 1927, Reverend Oyama graduated from Waseda Graduate School and Tokyo Theological Seminary before beginning his pastoral work. He later led movements demanding apologies from Japan to the countries victimized by its imperialist aggression and served as president of the Japan-Korea Friendship Mission Cooperation Association, personally visiting Korea to apologize. Notably, he apologized on behalf of Japan for the Jeam-ri Church massacre and worked diligently to rebuild Jeam-ri Church.
The funeral will conclude with a vigil on the 25th and a farewell ceremony on the 26th.
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