May: The Salvation Army in Korea
The Korea story begs to be told. Especially at this centennial point in The Salvation Army's remarkable history. The Salvation Army opened fire in Korea in the year 1908. Its saga of courageous Salvationism, tenacious faith and compassionate service unfolds in a century of uncommon turbulence and tragedy for Korea, during which Korea has arisen from the devastations of war to become a major player in the global economy, a growing political force, a vibrant democratic society and a powerful agent for evangelism and global mission.
The Salvation Army in Korea
Author: Commissioner Peter H. Chang
The Salvation Army in Korea is published in both English and Korean by The Salvation Army Korea Territory as a centennial celebration project. It is available by special order through Trade Departments in the USA or by direct order to Korea at The Salvation Army C.P.O. 1192, Seoul 100, Korea.
Commissioner Peter H. Chang has given us a fascinating account of the Army's life and mission during its first century of warfare in Korea. In many ways it is uniquely his story, for he and his family have lived a good deal of that history.
Peter's grandfather was a farmer from rural Korea who came to faith in Christ through the ministry of Commissioner Herbert Lord, then a young missionary officer. Rejected six times for training as a Salvation Army officer, farmer Chang, with characteristic Korean tenacity, finally prevailed, became an officer and served to retirement. Two of his sons, Chang Oon-yong and Chang Oon-bok became officers, one serving as a divisional commander and the other as Chief Secretary for many years.
Commissioner Peter Chang, son of Colonel Chang Oon-yong, gave leadership as territorial commander in Korea. A nephew is currently Adult Rehabilitation Centres Commander in the USA Western Territory. Other members of this remarkable family have served faithfully as local officers. We are left to imagine what might have happened if the elder Chang had not persisted in following his calling to Salvation Army officership or the young Captain Herbert Lord had not found him working in the paddy field.
In this narrative history Commissioner Chang tells the Army's story in his own engaging and readable style. He relates a host of remarkable instances of God's intervention as the story unfolds.
On 25 June 1950 Communist North Korean forces swept down across the 38th parallel into the South driving the ill-prepared defenders before them all the way to the southern tip of the peninsula. Salvation Army officers and soldiers were among the refugees forced to flee for their lives. Peter Chang and his family found refuge with relatives in a tiny village called Pyungchun, about two hours by foot from Tai Heung Corps.
Peter's father was already a leading officer. Had the whereabouts of the family been discovered by the invaders it is likely they would not have survived. Young officers commissioned only days before by Commissioner Lord had just arrived in Tai Heung. An informant suspected that they knew where the Changs were hiding. Second-Lieutent Park, Jong-sup was cruelly beaten but did not reveal where the Changs were staying.
His wife, however, was fearful that the North Korean soldiers would find them at Pyungchun. She walked two hours in the dead of night, at great risk to her own life, to warn the Chang family. Commissioner Chang acknowledges that his family owed their lives to this heroic young officer. Her husband died three years later, probably as a result of the torture he endured, but she continued to be an outstanding social officer as Major Chung Yeon-soon.
Not all survived. Lieutenant Kim Jin-ha and his family were stationed at Putori, a village corps in the North. The Army had 77 corps north of the 38th parallel before 1950. When the war broke out and it was clear that Christian believers could no longer survive under the Communist regime, these young corps officers decided they must try to evacuate their entire corps to the south. Some of their people, however, were unable to leave. As a good shepherd, the Lieutenant could not bring himself to abandon his sheep and returned to share their fate. He was never heard of again. His wife, Lieutenant Yoo Yea-pil, continued her service as a faithful single officer, retiring in 1986.
Senior-Captain Kim Sam-suk was Commanding Officer of Seoul Sudaemun Corps when the South was invaded. Though many fled the city, he remained at his post. Before long he was abducted by the Communist authorities and never seen again. His second son followed his father into officership and in his final appointment before retirement Colonel Kim Sung-hwal served as Territorial Commander for Korea.
No sooner had the Army become established than the Japanese, already claiming Korea as a protectorate, unilaterally annexed the nation and attempted to incorporate it culturally as well as politically into the Japanese Empire. A junior Japanese officer was installed as commander of The Salvation Army in Korea and the name of the Army was changed. When Korea was liberated with the defeat of the Japanese in 1945 a group of officers agitated to make the Army independent of the international movement. But the unity of the Army was preserved. Loyalty prevailed and the Army marched on.
The Church in Korea has a history of denominational fragmentation. At one point there were more than a dozen Presbyterian denominations in Korea, for example. It is all the more significant that the Army in Korea, Ku Sei Kun, has maintained its unity across the century, marching shoulder-to-shoulder under one flag.
There were other crisis moments that the author unveils. There is no other published account in English of the 1926 crisis surrounding the visit of General Bramwell Booth to Korea, nor any record in Army histories that General Bramwell ever set foot in Korea. It was a dramatic, if unhappy encounter, but one that led to the development of national leadership and the strengthening of the Army for the trials that would later come. Today the Army in Korea is completely indigenous in leadership without any expatriate officers currently serving on the peninsula.
Commissioner Chang makes clear that Salvationists have not isolated themselves from the larger Church. Salvation Army leaders have played key roles in the National Christian Council, over which the current territorial commander, Commissioner Chun Kwang-pyo now presides as chairman - and he is not the first Salvationist to do so.
The role of valiant women officers and soldiers is a vital part of the story. The author records their significant contribution to the Army's advance. They have been in the vanguard of evangelism and growth initiatives, sharing their faith, giving sacrificially and working tirelessly to fulfil the Army's mission.
Commissioner Chang opens this stirring account with an overview of the introduction of the gospel into Korea, linking the Army's life with the missional purposes of God in Korea, Asia and the world beyond. Indeed, Commissioners Peter and Grace Chang were the first officers to be appointed as missionary officers from Korea, serving in both Singapore/Malaysia and Hong Kong before taking up appointments in the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
The Church in Korea was touched with the flame of revival in 1907, the year before the Army arrived. This Army of Blood and Fire caught the spirit of that revival and to this day is marked by a revivalistic fervency and evangelistic passion.
The commissioner tells the story of a renewed commitment to growth and evangelism during the 1970s which gained momentum under the leadership of the first national territorial commanders. The strength of the Army was doubled during the years that followed. As the territory advances into its second century, bold goals for future growth have been established.
This telling of the Army's story in Korea is a personal one. The author weaves his own story into the broader narrative, giving the reader a feel of immersion in the events recorded. He includes remarkable experiences of God's intervention and provision during the years Peter and Grace Chang served as territorial leaders in Korea.
Commissioner Chang concludes his account with brief vignettes focusing on the life and service of outstanding officers and soldiers of the territory. It makes for fascinating reading even for those who may know little or nothing of those he profiles. It will prove even more interesting to those who do. The author describes them out of his own experience with characteristic candour. Of necessity, he is selective. Some will miss the stories of great hearts they would like to have had included, but those who are there deserve our notice.
Salvationists will come away from reading this fast-paced chronicle of courage and commitment with a renewed sense of privilege in wearing the same uniform as their comrades in Korea. Salvationists or not, readers will rejoice in the faithfulness of God and the heroic devotion of his people as they look to the future - a future as assured as the promises of God.
Review by General Paul A. Rader (Retired)