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Korea Herald
5 days ago
- 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.
