South Korean religious leaders expressed deep concern over North Korea's nuclear test but said economic and military sanctions would not be a good response.

Father Paul Han Jung-kwan, executive secretary of the Committee for the Reconciliation of Korean People of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, called the Oct. 9 nuclear test "an act that destroys world peace and order and is against the Gospel."

In an Oct. 10 interview with UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand, Father Han said sentiment against North Korea may spread within the church. He said he believes the church in South Korea will face difficulties in its humanitarian work with North Koreans.

He said he expects North Koreans to become more isolated from the international community and suffer from a lack of food and basic goods. For this reason, he added, the South Korean church needs to establish a long-term plan to help its northern neighbors.

North Korea announced that it had conducted the nuclear test safely and successfully. The South Korean government said a magnitude 3.58 earthquake was detected that morning in Hwaderi, in northeastern North Korea.

Father Simon Chun Jong-hun, president of South Korea's Catholic Priests' Association for Justice, called the test a "big mistake." He told UCA News Oct. 10 that he is deeply concerned that North Korea has broken a 1991 agreement on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

Father Chun said the United States should not take military action against North Korea, but instead should try to dialogue with the communist country, with the help of neighbors such as China and Japan.

The National Council of Churches in Korea said in a statement that the test created a crisis for the Korean peninsula and the world, but added that it would object if the United Nations imposed economic and military sanctions on North Korea.

The council said the international community has double standards, allowing Pakistan to have and test nuclear weapons.

It also asked the South Korean government to continue its humanitarian aid to North Korea as well as material and personnel exchanges with North Koreans.

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism said in a statement Oct. 9: "North Korea first has to take all responsibility for such a reckless act and humbly accept the international community's criticisms. Also we ask North Korea to stop all nuclear activities now, according to the agreement on denuclearization."

The order, the nation's largest Buddhist denomination, also asked the South Korean government not to withdraw civil exchange activities between the two Koreas. It said such exchanges had contributed greatly to reconciliation.

---CNS