The Christian Council of Korea sponsored the event, where speakers except for Jay Lefkowitz, the U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights, were all protestant ministers. Lefkowitz told demonstrators the reason that Moses led the exodus from Egypt was a thirst for the freedom of religion and belief, and said now was the time to speak up for the freedom of North Koreans.

A candlelight prayer meeting for freedom and human rights of North Koreans hosted by the Christian Council of Korea is held in Seoul Plaza in front of the City Hall on Saturday afternoon. /Yonhap

The council’s chairman Choi Sung-kyu said, “If we really wish to achieve peaceful unification, we have to turn our interest to the human rights and freedom of North Korean people.” Less a formal rally than a vigil, the event saw few slogans shouted, but a call to “improve the human rights conditions in the North” rang out as part of prayers and criticism of the South Korean government took on the form of sermons.

“Restrictions from the government were so tight that we chose the form of vigil, which does not require governmental permission, instead of a rally,” a council member said. “But the president's secretary for civil affairs still found it necessary to visit all the large churches in Seoul and ask members to refrain from participating in the vigil.”

(englishnews@chosun.com )