Korean faith leaders look to Pope Leo XIV's message of peace as hope for still-divided peninsula
Following the election of Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, 69, as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Korean religious leaders across denominations have extended messages of congratulations and reflection on Friday. Their responses highlight shared hopes for social renewal, interfaith cooperation amid profound global challenges and a lasting peace — both in the world and on the Korean Peninsula.
Archbishop Chung Soon-taick, head of the Archdiocese of Seoul, called the new pope a 'new shepherd' sent to lead the Church with humility, love, truth and justice. 'We thank God for sending Pope Leo XIV to us,' Chung said, adding that his election reflects 'the living tradition of the Catholic Church and its spirit of renewal.'
Chung drew particular attention to the pope's choice of name. By adopting the title Leo XIV, the new pontiff evokes the legacy of Leo XIII, who issued the landmark 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, foundational to Catholic social teaching.
'The name reflects a renewed commitment to the common good — especially in addressing emerging questions around humanity in the era of artificial intelligence, women and labor rights,' he noted.
'At a time when the world longs for peace and when the sanctity of human life is ever more precious, we believe he will boldly proclaim God's mercy and justice,' he said, adding that 'We pray unceasingly for his apostolic duties and hope that he will extend his love and attention to the Church in Korea, Asia and the cause of peace on the Korean Peninsula.'
The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism also issued a message of congratulations signed by Ven. Jinwoo, President of the Jogye Order, stating, 'Together with all Buddhists in Korea, we sincerely congratulate the election of Pope Leo XIV as the 267th pontiff.'
Referencing the pope's first message, 'May peace be with you all,' the Ven. Jinwoo expressed hope that this spirit of solidarity and compassion would resonate globally, particularly among those suffering. 'We hope that the prayers of the Catholic Church and Pope Leo XIV will always accompany all of humanity, and in particular, offer great hope and comfort for the establishment of lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, the world's only divided nation,' the statement read.
The National Council of Churches in Korea, which represents major Protestant denominations, also welcomed the new pope in a formal statement issued Friday. General Secretary Rev. Kim Jong-saeng praised the pope's inaugural message emphasizing peace, unity and human dignity. 'We are grateful that Pope Leo XIV opened his first address by calling on all peoples to be united in peace,' the NCCK said.
'In a time marked by war and overlapping global crises, we hope the churches of the world will walk together on the path of life and peace,' the statement continued. The NCCK also acknowledged the pope's two decades of service in poor neighborhoods in Peru, describing him as a figure of solidarity with the marginalized.
'We pray that the global Catholic Church will continue to become a Church for all, embracing those on the peripheries and serving as a bridge between heaven and the world.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Westinghouse deal tensions loom over Korea-US summit
Controversial KHNP agreement faces backlash at home as leaders prepare to discuss nuclear energy cooperation Escalating tensions over a deal between South Korea's state-run energy firms and US company Westinghouse are complicating the agenda for the upcoming Korea-US summit, where nuclear energy cooperation is expected to take center stage. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet in Washington next Monday for their summit, with officials saying nuclear partnership will be high on the agenda. According to a local media report on Wednesday, state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and Westinghouse, the two companies at the heart of the controversy, are preparing to form a joint venture to enter the US nuclear reactor market on the occasion of the upcoming summit. The report explained that since KHNP cannot independently access the US market, it plans to enter through a partnership with the American firm while handling most of the construction work. Nuclear energy's inclusion on the summit agenda was widely expected, given that the sector was part of South Korea's $200 billion investment pledge in the US under the tariff deal announced last month. President Trump has vowed to expand US nuclear energy capacity from 97 gigawatts to 400 gigawatts by 2050. Achieving this target would require constructing approximately 300 new 1,000-megawatt reactors. Industry observers view the US as eyeing Korean companies' technological expertise and construction capabilities to meet this goal. The plan comes amid controversy over a separate agreement that KHNP and Korea Electric Power Corp. struck with Westinghouse in January, sparking worries about potential summit implications. The settlement resolved Westinghouse's claims that KHNP had violated its intellectual property rights by using licensed Westinghouse technology in the development of its APR 1000 and 1400 nuclear reactor designs. The deal cleared the way for a KHNP-led consortium to sign an estimated 26 trillion won ($18.58 billion) contract in June to build two nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic. But after details of the settlement came to light on Monday following another local media report, the state-run company came under fire for agreeing to lopsided conditions to reach a swift deal, while burdening itself with hefty financial commitments. According to the agreement, KHNP agreed to sign contracts for goods and services worth $650 million with Westinghouse for each export of a single nuclear reactor, and to pay an additional $175 million per reactor in technology licensing fees. The 50-year deal also contains a provision requiring Westinghouse to verify the technical independence of Korean companies before they can bid on overseas nuclear reactor projects, including small modular reactors. It also restricted KHNP to pursuing nuclear projects in only 12 designated countries -- including the Philippines, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Egypt, Brazil, Argentina, Jordan, Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia and South Africa -- while barring it from new deals in North America, Britain, Japan, Ukraine and the EU, except for the Czech Republic. Lawmakers blamed KHNP for bowing to US pressure to secure the Czech deal. 'It has been confirmed that the Yoon Suk Yeol government signed an unfair contract with Westinghouse to break the deadlock in the Czech project,' said Rep. Han Jeong-ae of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea at the National Assembly on Tuesday. Amid the controversy, KHNP CEO Whang Joo-ho on Tuesday said the deal terms remain within acceptable limits, but he declined to provide detailed answers, citing confidentiality obligations. 'While I cannot say (Westinghouse's demands) are justified, they are something tolerable enough for us to endure and still generate profit,' Whang said at the National Assembly. Meanwhile, opposition People Power Party lawmakers also stressed that just before the Korea-US summit, it may not serve the national interest for the parliament to directly confront the Westinghouse issue. 'Westinghouse may hold the original technology, but it lacks the construction capacity to independently build reactors, which means Korean companies are likely to handle the construction,' said an industry insider on condition of anonymity. 'Even if the deal is viewed as unfavorable, I believe it was inevitable if Korean companies are going to expand their overseas nuclear businesses.' Amid growing backlash, South Korea's presidential office has ordered the Industry Ministry to investigate the deal to verify that the negotiations and contract process were carried out based on laws and regulations and in accordance with principles and procedures.
Korea Herald
3 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Do Koreans support child benefits for foreign children?
Most S. Koreans back child benefits for long-term foreign residents — but not for all migrants Eight in 10 South Koreans support granting child benefits to foreign children if their parents hold permanent residency, a survey showed Wednesday. The findings, published in a July report by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, analyzed public attitudes toward immigrant rights and welfare policy, revealing a broad public consensus on the issue of child benefits for long-term residents. Support levels varied depending on immigrant status. Nearly 80 percent approved of granting the 100,000 won monthly child benefit to children of permanent residents, and 74.2 percent agreed to the same for children of marriage immigrants. Currently, the child benefit program, giving 100,000 won per month for children under 8 years old, is limited to Korean nationals, with exceptions for recognized refugees and certain special contributors. But less than half of respondents said they were supportive of granting the benefit to children of migrant workers and overseas Koreans, which stood at 45.3 percent and 45.4 percent, respectively. Some 32 percent agreed to offering the state support to children of international students. A similar pattern emerged when respondents were asked about extending access to the basic living allowance, a program that provides cash support for food, clothing, heating and other essential daily needs under the National Basic Living Security Act. While 72.5 percent supported granting these benefits to permanent residents and 60.9 percent supported it for marriage immigrants, agreement dropped to the 20-30 percent range for overseas Koreans, migrant workers and international students. Currently, foreign residents in Korea are not entitled to the basic living allowance, except in limited cases, such as being married to a Korean or raising a Korean child. Eligibility under the program is otherwise restricted to Korean citizens whose household income falls below the government's minimum subsistence standard, and who lack family members capable of providing support. Research fellow Kim Ki-tae noted this may be because 'the influx of immigrants performing low-wage labor can be perceived as a threat to vulnerable domestic groups,' in the report. When asked about the rights of foreign nationals living in Korea, respondents generally recognized them as "not so respected" and 'only somewhat respected.' Perceptions were most positive about foreign residents' right to health, followed by basic human rights, housing rights, labor rights and access to welfare benefits. As for when immigrants should receive the same social welfare rights as Korean citizens, 49.2 percent answered 'after working and paying taxes for at least a year.' Another 32.6 percent supported granting access 'immediately after acquiring citizenship,' while smaller shares supported access a year after arrival regardless of employment (9.7 percent) or immediately upon entry (3.6 percent). Income and education levels also influenced opinions. Higher-income, higher-educated respondents were more supportive, while lower-income groups tended to view welfare rights for foreign residents more cautiously. While Kim cautioned against indiscriminate welfare expansion, he stressed that policies should not be shaped by prejudice. 'For genuine social integration, it is necessary to increase contact between native and immigrant communities, strengthen protections for vulnerable Koreans, and improve perceptions about equitable welfare,' he said.
Korea Herald
3 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Kim Jong-un issues inter-Korean policy rejecting Seoul's olive branch
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday conveyed his inter-Korean policy plan through his sister Kim Yo-jong, who handed it down during a meeting with key Foreign Ministry officials while denouncing Seoul's olive-branch offer as 'deceptive,' state media reported Wednesday. Seoul swiftly rejected the charge. The presidential office said, "It is regrettable that a North Korean official distorts and misrepresents our sincere efforts." President Lee Jae Myung's office also pledged to "move beyond an era of hostility and confrontation, restore mutual trust, and open a new era of peaceful coexistence and joint growth on the Korean Peninsula." North Korea's latest statement was part of a series of high-level pronouncements that zeroed in on what it labeled a "contradiction" in the Lee administration's conciliatory inter-Korean policy — pointing to the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise between South Korea and the US. Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the Party Central Committee, 'conveyed and assigned the head of state's foreign policy plan at a consultative meeting with director generals of the Foreign Ministry,' state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday in a Korean-language dispatch. At the same time, Kim 'sharply criticized the essence of the Republic of Korea government's deceptive 'appeasement offensive' and its two-faced nature,' KCNA added, referring to South Korea by its official name. 'Clarifying once again on this occasion, the ROK cannot become our state's diplomatic counterpart,' Kim was quoted as saying in the KCNA report. 'The DPRK Foreign Ministry must properly seek accurate countermeasures regarding relations with the most hostile state and with the states that listen to its agitation, based on the conclusion of our head of state, who pointed out the true nature of the ROK," Kim said. DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. KCNA reported that Kim Yo-jong "analyzed Seoul's behavior of pretending as if the ROK's policy toward the DPRK is making a 'rapid U-turn'" during the meeting. Kim specifically dismissed President Lee's Aug. 15 National Liberation Day speech, in which Lee pledged to respect the North Korean system, not to pursue unification by absorption and clarified South Korea's intent not to conduct any hostile acts. Then, Kim denounced the Lee administration for 'parroting' its predecessors' rhetoric by describing the annual combined military exercises between South Korea and the United States as defensive in nature. 'This is a passage that vividly reflects the double-faced character of the Seoul authorities, whose inside and outside are different," Kim was quoted as saying in the KCNA report. "Whoever in the ROK it may be, one must not forget the fact that they are America's top-class running dog.' Mounting pressure before Lee-Trump summit Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies in Seoul, assessed that 'Kim Yo-jong's core message is essentially a propaganda line.' 'The point is that as long as the South Korean government remains subordinate to the US, it cannot create a new history of sustainable and peaceful inter-Korean relations," Lim said. 'North Korea is seeking to push the Lee Jae Myung administration into making a more drastic shift from its hostile policy toward the North — including the suspension of ROK-US military exercises — by exerting maximum pressure on the administration.' The latest remarks followed Kim Jong-un's order — issued Monday, the first day of the Ulchi Freedom Shield regular exercises between South Korea and the US — calling for a rapid nuclear buildup and denouncing the combined drills. On Aug. 14, Kim Yo-jong had similarly criticized the exercises, claiming that the Lee administration's policy toward North Korea 'has not changed in the least and cannot change.' The string of denunciatory statements comes ahead of the first summit between President Lee and US President Donald Trump on Aug. 25 in Washington. Lim further explained that the outcomes of the Lee-Trump summit 'are expected to have a significant impact on inter-Korean relations.' 'The key question is whether the results will show weakened dependence on the US and greater diplomatic autonomy vis-a-vis the US,' Lim said. 'However, North Korea is likely well aware of the structural constraints and dilemmas the Lee administration faces.'
