Seoul archdiocese renews call for North-South Korea reconciliation

The Archdiocese of Seoul reaffirms its call for peace between the people of North and South Korea.

The archdiocese offered a Mass on June 22 to commemorate the Day of Prayer of National Reconciliation and Unity at the Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, South Korea.

This was the nearest Sunday to June 25, which marks the anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.

In the presence of more than a thousand people, Seoul Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick emphasized in his homily that peace between the two nations can only be achieved by “letting go of hostility and hatred.”

“The North and the South have lived in division for more than 80 years and have cultivated hatred and hatred amid constant tension and confrontation. In South Korea, there is a growing indifference…” he said. “In order to overcome conflict and division, we must reach out to them first, just as Jesus said, 'Give us food first.'"

Despite the ongoing conflict, the prelate recognized how small but meaningful changes are happening in inter-Korean relations.

"When our government stopped broadcasting loudspeakers to North Korea, North Korea also stopped broadcasting loudspeakers to South Korea,” he revealed.

“[This] was a small but surprising change that lowered tensions that had never been stopped for a moment and allowed us to seek new relations,” he also said.

Later that day, the archdiocese held a conference to mark the 30th anniversary of the National Reconciliation Committee.

Fr. Soo-Yong Jung, vice-chair of the Reconciliation Committee, highlighted their efforts to push for peace in the Korean peninsula.

He also said how Korea can serve as a prime example for peace-building efforts for other countries, especially those under political tension as well such as Ukraine, Russia, and the Middle East.

The National Reconciliation Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul was founded in 1995 by former Seoul archbishop and Servant of God Stephen Kim Sou-hwan.