Rev. Billy Kim heads to US as Korean special envoy for Jimmy Carter’s state funeral

Rev. Billy Kim and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on this Sept. 28, 1970, file photograph. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

Rev. Billy Kim, chairman of the main Christian radio community Far East Broadcasting (FEBC)-Korea, will attend the state funeral of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter as a consultant of the Korean authorities.

The funeral, set for Thursday in Washington, is unique to those that shared a detailed relationship with the deceased throughout his lifetime.

Carter, who died final month on the age of 100, had a longstanding reference to Rev. Kim relationship again to the Seventies.

In keeping with FEBC-Korea, Kim first met Carter at a Baptist occasion within the U.S. when Carter was governor of Georgia. Kim, who led the Baptist World Alliance from 2000 to 2005, continued to have interaction with Carter over the many years.

„When former President Carter got here to Korea in 1979 to fulfill the then President Park Chung-hee, these two met. We perceive that the chairman requested Carter to counsel to President Park that he ought to attend church, and Carter truly instructed Park to take action,“ an aide of the chairman and a high-ranking official of FEBC-Korea stated.

Korea’s Ministry of International Affairs confirmed that it really helpful Kim to go to the U.S. as the federal government’s particular envoy, believing it might profit diplomacy with america.

„The federal government plans to dispatch FEBC-Korea Chairman Billy Kim because the consultant of the condolence delegation to former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, which will probably be held on Thursday, Jan. 9, in Washington,“ Lee Jae-woong, a spokesperson of the international ministry stated throughout a briefing Tuesday.

„We perceive that Chairman Kim has maintained a relationship with former President Carter for over 40 years since they first met when Carter was the governor of Georgia. Additionally, we all know that the chairman is well-known in each American political and spiritual circles.“

Rev. Billy Kim, chairman of Far East Broadcasting (FEBC)-Korea, speaks after receiving the Ambassador for Christ and Baptist Statesman Award on this 2008 file photograph. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

It’s noteworthy whether or not Kim will meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who is ready to be formally inaugurated on Jan. 20, or officers from the brand new administration whereas attending this state funeral.

“Because it’s an occasion for invited company solely, there may be a possibility to spend time collectively, and in that case, they might naturally trade greetings,“ the FEBC-Korea official stated.

Kim additionally has connections with Trump’s circle as he has a detailed relationship with Rev. Franklin Graham, a longtime supporter of Trump.

„Chairman Kim was very near Rev. Billy Graham and maintains a pleasant relationship along with his son, Rev. Franklin Graham. We all know that Rev. Franklin Graham could be very near Trump, and this could possibly be some extent the place Trump and the chairman may meet,“ the official stated.

Nevertheless, the official added that even when the 2 meet, it might doubtless be on the stage of exchanging greetings, and the chairman is just not at present contemplating mentioning elements of U.S.-Korea relations or political occasions.