Church to Close Schools Over Private School Law Presbyterians Shave Heads to Protest Private School Law

Christian groups on Tuesday reiterated they will fight against the private school law. "We will close our member schools unless the special National Assembly session eliminates the provision to open school boards to outside directors until it ends,” some 40 leaders with the Christian Council of Korea, the Church of Christ Minister's Council and the Association of Catholic Schools told reporters. They visited the headquarters of the ruling Uri Party to protest after a press conference. The revised private school law makes it mandatory for 25 percent of school boards to consist of outside directors.

Even the National Council of Churches in Korea, which is considered progressive among Christian organizations, decided in a meeting on a compromise proposal whereby outside directors would be chosen from religious or educational organizations, not from school management committees. They are to visit Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday afternoon and deliver their position to President Roh Moo-hyun.

Christian groups are also to hold an emergency prayer for revision of the private school law at Yoido Full Gospel Church on Wednesday. The General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches in Korea in an emergency meeting on Monday threatened large-scale protests.

(englishnews@chosun.com )