ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Building hope for dialogue: religious leaders of North and South meet

Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - Ten years of relations, ten years of hope for a future of dialogue and peace: in this spirit a delegation of S. Korean religious leaders visited the N. Korean capital Pyongyang, to meet religious leaders living on the other side of the bamboo curtain. The meeting was organised to mark ten years of relations between the South Korean Conference for Religious and Peace, and the Council of Korean Believers in the North whose members belong to various different religious communities.
The delegation of seven represented Catholic Christianity, Protestant Christianity, Buddhism, Won Buddhism Won, Confucianism, Chondogyo, and Animists. The visit took place in a climate of dialogue, cordiality and friendship. The leaders were accompanied to view the main places of worship of the different religions including Jangchung Catholic Church, the only Catholic church in north Korea.
During a ceremony to mark ten years of relations Samuel Jang Jae-eon, chairman of the Council of Korean Believers said: “For ten years we have collaborated on the basis of sincere reciprocal trust. Let us hope this occasion will give ulterior impulse to programmes for exchange and cooperation”.
“If we continue on the path of dialogue and cooperation- said Peter Pai Young-ho, secretary of the South Korean Conference for Religious and Peace - we will take one step nearer to unity. An authentic meeting as God wishes it is achieved when we pray care for one another ”.
The first meeting of Korean religious leaders North and South was held in Beijing, in 1997 when the delegates met to promote dialogue and initiatives for humanitarian assistance. In 2003 over 100 N. Korean religious leaders visited Seoul. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 22/5/2007 righe 26 parole 268)