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Korea Herald
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Korean faith leaders look to Pope Leo XIV's message of peace as hope for still-divided peninsula
Reglious leaders congratulate new pope, emphasizing peace, reform and interfaith solidarity 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.'
Korea Herald
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Religious leaders laud Pope Francis' legacy in condolence letter
Religious leaders in South Korea praised the late Pope Francis, who died in Rome on Monday at the age of 88, for speaking out on behalf of the marginalized. The pope, who had battled a lung infection for over a month, was leader of the Catholic Church for 12 years. 'Francis gave a spiritual lesson to all of us, living a life fully dedicated to faith and love,' Seoul Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick said in a statement. 'Above all, he exemplified the commitment to the socially marginalized,' Archbishop Chung added, calling on Catholics to live up to the example of love and generosity set by Francis. The National Council of Churches in Korea, one of the four largest Protestant alliances in the country, described the pontiff as a friend of those who are suffering — the poor, migrants and refugees — always advocating for justice. 'The earthly language he used and the way he acted on his words were a demonstration of God's love, and his leadership moved churches everywhere,' said the Rev. Kim Jong-seng, the NCCK general secretary. The Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the largest Buddhist sect here, called Francis a teacher of mankind who helped bridge differences between religions. 'He taught us the value of peace and solidarity,' Jinwoo said. The Korean Council of Religious Leaders, a coalition of leaders representing seven major religions in South Korea, focused on a visit to Korea by Francis in 2014 that the council said 'had consoled the country as a whole.' On the first day of that five-day visit that began on Aug. 14, 2014, Francis met with and consoled families who lost loved ones in the Sewol ferry disaster that occurred in April that year. He was in Korea to beatify 124 Korean Catholic martyrs in Seoul, including Paul Yun Ji-chung, and to officiate Mass at Asian Youth Day. 'We will continue to work on advancing reconciliation between religions and love for mankind, living up to his spirit,' the council said. In a 2022 interview with local broadcaster KBS, Francis spoke of a visit to North Korea as part of aiding reconciliation on the divided peninsula. Former South Korean Moon Jae-in made the entreaty twice in his visits to the Vatican in 2018 and 2021 'When they invite me — that is to say, please invite me — I won't say no,' Francis said. The trip did not take place. Myeongdong Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of Seoul, said plans on holding a memorial there would be announced soon.
Korea Herald
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Religious leaders urge solidarity ahead of Easter Sunday
Religious leaders in South Korea called for solidarity ahead of Easter Sunday to confront the unprecedented challenge posed by Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 declaration of martial law that led to the former president's ouster. Seoul Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick said solidarity is slowly taking root in the face of deepening political confusion that has yet to be resolved. 'What we need most now is hope and conviction, one that transcends this darkness,' Chung said in a statement. The National Council of Churches in Korea, one of the four largest Protestant alliances in the country, said dialogue would be the remedy to the current turmoil. 'The church will lead by example, realizing God's love, justice and intentions as we mark Easter Sunday,' said the Rev. Kim Jong-seng, the NCCK general secretary. The Rev. Kim Jong-hyuk, president of the United Christian Churches of Korea, another Protestant alliance, said patience and restraint are what the country needs right now as it readies to elect a new leader on June 3 in a snap election. 'We're at a crossroads, grappling with serious division, a tarnished national image and a sputtering economy,' Kim said, adding channeling resentment and rage only complicates the crisis. On Saturday, the UCCK will hold Easter Parade at Gwanghwamun Square, an annual event the church alliance expects to draw some 20,000 participants. The parade will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., hosting performances. Rev. Jun Kwang-hoon — an ultraconservative populist Presbyterian pastor who has been the face of pro-Yoon rallies — is also expected to lead an open Easter service at the square, worrying police over clashes between congregants. The 69-year-old Jun has labeled Yoon's imposition of military rule on the country a 'holy mishap,' prompting an outcry from Protestant alliances, some of whom have also raised suspicions about the official ordination process Jun claims to have gone through.
Korea Herald
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Church alliance plays up global coalition ahead of Yoon impeachment ruling
World Council of Churches letter urges quick resolution, in sign of growing support for Yoon's removal A major Protestant church alliance in South Korea again ramped up calls for ousting President Yoon Suk Yeol, citing a global church coalition letter it said indicates growing support for holding Yoon accountable for his martial law decree in December. Pastors at the National Council of Churches in Korea, one of the four largest Protestant alliances in the country, disclosed the letter from the Geneva-based World Council of Churches that asked the Constitutional Court of Korea to quickly end Yoon's impeachment trial for the benefit of democracy and the rule of law. The letter, the second of its kind since the short-lived martial rule late in the night of Dec. 3, was a sign of growing support for the court to rule against Yoon in a ruling to come Friday, said the Rev. Kim Jong-seng, the NCCK general secretary, at a press conference Wednesday. The letter to the church alliance known for backing progressive causes singled out 'uncertainty, unrest and division' mounting in Korea, urging the court to 'restore confidence in the future of democracy and the rule of law,' in a petition addressed to Moon Hyung-bae, acting chief justice of the Constitutional Court. The letter was dated Monday. On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court announced that it would deliver its verdict on Yoon's impeachment on Friday. While the letter did not explicitly blame Yoon for the political confusion now gripping the country, senior leaders at both the NCCK and WCC share such an understanding, according to a NCCK official. And Yoon is hardly the only individual to be held accountable, said the Rev. Kim Sang-keun, a prominent church elder leading an ad hoc committee helping promote better politics at the NCCK. 'Those who have outright violated the Constitution include the prime minister and the finance minister,' Kim said, referring to the most senior Cabinet officials who both refused to appoint court justices as acting president. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok was the interim leader from Dec. 27 to March 24, a role Prime Minister Han Duck-soo took back when the Constitutional Court cleared his December impeachment prompted by his refusal to appoint court justices. Han still is sitting on naming a justice to fill the final seat of the nine-judge bench. The two officials in the process had delayed justice, the Rev. Kim said, adding they need to face 'some form of punishment.' Kim did not elaborate on what that would look like. Metropolitan Ambrosios Cho Sung-am, the NCCK president, said democracy is sacred and that people's actions are far more important than people themselves in the institution.
Korea Herald
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Pastor urges embracing differences as impeachment ruling nears
Campaign fueling disinformation, violence has to be put out, church elder Kim Sang-keun says The church always has to reflect the defining spirit of an era, and empowering people to embrace differences is the zeitgeist Protestant churches should seek now, according to the Rev. Kim Sang-keun. Kim, 86, is a prominent church elder who leads an ad hoc committee helping promote better politics at the National Council of Churches in Korea. It is one of the four largest church alliances in the country and is known for backing progressive causes. The NCCK launched the committee in October. On Dec. 3, 2024, Korea briefly revisited martial law after more than 40 years. Suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol now awaits a Constitutional Court decision to either lift his impeachment and return him to office or end his presidency and trigger an early election. 'Had we anticipated such a drastic political move by Yoon when we set up the committee? It sort of crossed our mind, given the circumstances,' Kim told The Korea Herald Tuesday, speaking on what he described as the conservative leader's unwillingness to engage with the progressive main opposition, prompting a National Assembly deadlock for months. Today's political landscape would be much different if readiness to accept or be more open to differences in thinking and action prevailed, Kim said, noting 'that virtue is what we need the most.' The church, Kim noted, could do better in enabling people to embrace differences, starting with respecting the court ruling expected this month on Yoon's impeachment. 'Whatever the outcome, we have to accept it, because it's coming from an institution built on our shared agreement,' Kim said, pointing out he will do his part rallying the public to do so. For Kim, the biggest challenge ahead is dealing with the likes of the Rev. Jun Kwang-hoon -- an ultraconservative populist pastor with a penchant for anticommunism slurs who has been the face of a pro-Yoon rally at Gwanghwamun Square. The 69-year-old Jun, who labels Yoon's December martial rule 'holy mishap,' stands accused of inciting his followers to storm the Seoul Western District Court on Jan. 18-19, smashing through office equipment in a criminal offense that led to 78 arrests -- the highest number in a single case since 2009. Jun's followers were protesting the court's decision to arrest Yoon for his separate criminal trial. Jun has said the Constitutional Court is not off-limits to his followers exercising 'the right to resist,' raising worries over a repeat of violence should the court rule against Yoon. 'We shouldn't call Jun a pastor because he isn't one,' Kim said, casting suspicion on the official ordination process Jun claims to have taken. Kim, who did not present specific evidence to support that claim, has been pushing for the NCCK committee to release statements definitively rebuking Jun — a step yet to be taken by any other elder or major church organization. A pastor since 1973, Kim opined that conservative megachurch pastors are not as invested as himself in calling out the likes of Jun because it could weaken their own conservative alliance. 'Conservative pastors are united in that they all push back against anything they see as remotely communist. These pastors all feed on anticommunism,' Kim said, explaining these pastors fear alienating their congregations traditionally allergic to being soft on communism. Pastors should not sit back from malicious campaigns when they clearly spread disinformation and incite violence, even if the effort may take a while to pay off, Kim added. siyoungchoi@
