Despite consistent pleas from the government, some 2,000 South Korean Christians began their four-day evangelistic event Saturday in the volatile Gulf region, with hopes to promote peace in the Middle East.
The participants of the first mass peace event in Jerusalem of non-Westerners, attended a praise and prayer convention, calling on the Israelis and Palestinians to strengthen efforts for reconciliation.
The highlight of the festival dubbed "Jerusalem Peace March 2004" is a procession through a five-kilometer stretch between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Other programs include a friendly soccer match with Palestinians, a taekwondo show and free medical services for local residents.
Since the Seoul government cannot ban overseas travel by law, it had repeatedly urged the organizers to refrain from joining the procession, out of concern that it may provoke Muslim nations.
The government is reported to have started operating a hot line between the Korean embassy and local authorities.