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Korea Herald
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Cardinal hopes for historic moment: Pope with leaders of two Koreas
Lee also expresses hope for pope to 'stop by North Korea' on his scheduled trip to Seoul in 2027 Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik on Monday expressed hopes for a historic moment where Pope Leo XIV and the leaders of the two Koreas meet together, in a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at his office in Seoul. Cardinal You, who also serves as the prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy at the Vatican, conveyed his wishes of the pope, Lee and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to take a photo together, in hopes of thawing inter-Korean relations. "At the final line (of my memo to the president), I wrote, how great it would be if Pope Leo XIV takes a photo together with our president and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un during his papal visit to Korea," You told Lee, referring to letters he sent to the liberal president. So far, no pope in the history of the Catholic Church has either met a North Korean leader or made a papal visit to Pyongyang. In the most recent move, a meeting between late Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV's predecessor, and North Korean leader was pursued by former liberal President Moon Jae-in, who sought to improve Seoul's relations with Pyongyang. During Moon's tenure, the presidential office at that time relayed Kim's willingness to invite the pope to Pyongyang. Pope Francis then said he was willing to go to North Korea if he receives the invitation, but Pyongyang did not extend the invitation. In a recent press conference held at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, Cardinal You said the Vatican's efforts to arrange late Pope Francis' papal visit did not bear fruit because North Korea was not responsive to such efforts. In 2000, both Koreas extended an official invitation to the Holy See for a visit by the late Pope John Paul II. However, the trip ultimately fell through after the Vatican insisted that Catholic priests be allowed to enter and operate in the isolated North. Recounting the moment of the conclave, when the first US-born pope was elected in May, Cardinal You told Lee that he "had a strong feeling" upon Pope Leo XIV's election win that he could make a contribution to peace on the Korean Peninsula." In response, President Lee asked for the Vatican's dedication to peace on the Korean Peninsula, highlighting Pope Leo XIV's role in doing so. Lee, who took office in June and has since called for de-escalation of tensions in the inter-Korean relations, said that he wished the pope "stop by North Korea" on the sidelines of a papal visit to Seoul for the World Youth Day scheduled to take place in South Korea's capital in 2027. "I was thinking, why not stop by North Korea for peace on the Korean Peninsula," Lee said of the pope's itinerary. As he welcomed the Catholic Church's attention to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, the president also said, "I hoped that the Vatican could make a special dedication to improving ties between the two Koreas and play a role in it." Lee also expressed his willingness to meet the pope before his Korea visit, as Cardinal You offered Lee an invitation to visit the Holy See, which the pope greenlighted. According to Lee's spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, plans for Lee to visit the Holy See have not yet been made.
Korea Herald
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Late Pope Francis' Pyongyang visit fell through due to N. Korea's silence: Cardinal Lazarus You
Pope Leo XIV could play 'important role' in improving Washington-Pyongyang relations, advancing peace on the Korean Peninsula, according to Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik The reason the late Pope Francis was ultimately unable to travel to Pyongyang and meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un -- a possibility many had hoped for at the time -- was because the isolated regime never responded to the Vatican's efforts to arrange a papal visit there, according to Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik on Thursday. "Pope Francis had a great interest in North Korea. When then-President Moon Jae-in visited him in 2018 and asked if he would meet with Kim, the pope responded that he was willing to do so to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and help heal the pain of families that have been separated for over 70 years since the Korean War that broke out in 1950," the prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy at the Vatican told reporters during a press conference held at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea. "Since the pope openly expressed his intention to visit the North, the cardinal secretary of state of the Vatican made efforts through various diplomatic channels to make the visit happen, but North Korea remained quiet," You explained. Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, continuously stressed the need to achieve peace through dialogue and South Korea's humanitarian assistance to North Korea, he added. When asked about Pope Leo XIV's interest regarding the North, the cardinal said he had "shared the late pope's views and thoughts on the matter with Pope Leo," declining to comment further. You added that the new pope "listened carefully," suggesting he may be open to continuing his immediate predecessor's efforts. "I hope that President Lee Jae Myung will be able to visit the Vatican this year to meet the pope (and discuss related matters). And on a personal note, since the pope is American, I believe he could play an important role in improving US-North Korea relations and in advancing peace on the Korean Peninsula. I think he has the potential to make a big impact on inter-Korean affairs," You said. He said that Lee's office has formally sent a letter expressing an intention to arrange a meeting with the pope soon. You also said he would make efforts to have North Korean participants invited to World Youth Day, scheduled to take place in Seoul in 2027, but he declined to elaborate. World Youth Day brings together young people from around the world to deepen their faith and experience the universality of the Catholic Church. Speaking on the deepening social division, You underscored the importance of "putting ourselves in each other's shoes." "In the Bible, John 17:19 reads, 'And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified through the truth.' If we open our hearts and try to understand others, it will be reciprocated," he explained, saying that the spirit of mutual understanding is what the country needs right now. The cardinal also expressed hope that the Lee administration will bring unity to the nation following a period of unprecedented political turmoil caused by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law late last year. "Politicians, including the president, should pay closer attention to the concerns and voices of the citizens and act with more compassion and kindness toward the people they serve." junheee@
Korea Herald
04-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Faith leaders urge unity as President Lee Jae-myung takes office
A coalition of leaders representing seven major religions in South Korea called on President Lee Jae-myung to work on healing the deeply divided nation as he took office Wednesday following a snap election. In a statement, the Korean Council of Religious Leaders — including the heads of Buddhist, Catholic and Protestant organizations — said Lee faced the daunting but pressing task of bringing the country together, replacing Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office in April after declaring martial law. 'We hope to see a president who understands the need for unity and who can listen to different voices to lead this country out of a crisis,' the statement said, referring to mounting concerns the new leader has to grapple with, starting with reviving a sputtering economy. The Ven. Jinwoo, the president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Korea's largest Buddhist sect, reminded Lee of prioritizing 'people's livelihood.' 'An approach with that in mind should be able to restore people's trust in the government,' Jinwoo said. Bishop Mathias Lee Yong-hoon, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, stressed the resolution of hostilities still running deep in the country. The Korean people have realized how crucial it is for the government to exercise its power within the limits of the law, Lee said, describing the ill-fated martial rule in December as a traumatic experience that saw the country shaken to its very core. 'The country needs a president who will see his way toward justice and peace,' Lee noted, adding the commander-in-chief should seek an inter-Korean thaw amid strained ties. The National Council of Churches in Korea, one of the four largest Protestant alliances in the country, also backed a bigger push for a more peaceful Korean Peninsula. The Rev. Kim Jong-seng, the NCCK general secretary, asked Lee for further outreach to the underprivileged, focusing on people with disabilities and migrants. 'We hope to see every voice heard by the president, no matter where they come from.' The Rev. Kim Jong-hyuk, president of the United Christian Churches of Korea, another Protestant alliance, asked Lee to do his best to communicate better with the public when implementing measures that impact their lives. 'We expect bigger efforts by the president to seek understanding from the people,' Kim said, in a clear reference to the previous government's seeming unwillingness to engage with the public at every turn. Na Sang-ho, head of Won Buddhism, urged Lee to help cultivate a climate of tolerance. 'A country built on hope and harmony is ushered in by a leader embracing differences,' Na said.
Korea Herald
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Culture Minister Yu In-chon to head delegation to pope inauguration Sunday
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon will lead the South Korean delegation to the formal inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City on Sunday. Yu will attend the ceremony alongside South Korea's ambassador to the Holy See, Oh Hyun-joo, joining representatives and religious leaders from some 200 countries. Notable attendees include US Vice President JD Vance, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Britain's Prince Edward. Separately, prominent Korean Catholic leaders will be in attendance. They are Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, former archbishop of Seoul; Bishop Mathias Lee Yong-hoon, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea; and Seoul Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick. They will be joined by Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, the Vatican's prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff from the United States, presided over his first Mass on Friday, pledging to lead a humble church open to 'ordinary people.' His emphasis on advocating for the poor, migrants and women deacons — principles embraced by the late Pope Francis — signaling the potential for continuing tension with conservative traditionalists during his papacy.
Korea Herald
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Religious leaders urge unity after court ousted Yoon Suk Yeol
Leaders representing major religions in South Korea called for unity behind a court ruling that removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office for his ill-fated martial law declaration on Dec. 3. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea said politicians should work together to restore people's trust, respecting the Constitutional Court of Korea's decision Friday. 'Politicians should remember serving their people and listen to each other to cultivate better politics,' the CBCK said in a statement. The National Council of Churches in Korea, the most progressive of the four largest Protestant alliances in the country, said government officials should contain the fallout from the leadership vacuum prompted by the ruling. An early election must now be held within 60 days to elect a new leader. The United Christian Churches of Korea, another Protestant alliance, said resorting to violence would be something God would disapprove of, referring to potential violent protests following the ruling. Streets and roads near the Constitutional Court were cordoned off Friday, and nearby schools and museums were closed, as were the royal palaces, in anticipation of clashes between protesters. The Anglican Church of Korea described the ruling as a watershed moment, calling on the country 'to grow stronger while tolerant of differences.' The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism said the court's decision is evidence of the fact that the Constitution and democracy are both working. The Constitutional Court, in its ruling, said using martial law while avoiding politically engaging the opposition was not democratic.
