Top Stories 25/03/12 Shun hatred, division for Korean reconciliation: Church leaders

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A conversion of hearts is essential to address doubts, exclusion and to proceed to a new age, says Seoul archbishop

Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul delivers his homily during the Thanksgiving Mass to mark 30th anniversary of the Korea Reconciliation Committee of Archdiocese of Seoul at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul on March 12. (Photo: Seoul Archdiocese)

By UCA News reporter

Published: March 14, 2025 09:21 AM GMT

Updated: March 14, 2025 09:45 AM GMT

Despite ongoing tension between South and North Korea, reconciliation and peace are possible if both sides shun hatred, division and conflict to embrace each other with love, top Church leaders say.

“The current situation on the Korean Peninsula is governed by the mechanism of hatred, conflicts, and division, rather than of love, reconciliation, and unity,” Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul said on March 12, according to an archdiocese press release dated March 14.

Chung said all must “seek courage so we can keep on our journey towards national reconciliation and remember our mission for peace in this land, inter-Korean reconciliation, and evangelization of all the people.”

He called for “conversion by which we change our hearts to proceed to a new age to address doubts, exclusion, and hatred that have been deeply rooted on the Korean Peninsula for as long as 80 years.”

The prelate made the call during the homily at a Thanksgiving Mass to mark the 30th anniversary of the Korea Reconciliation Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul (KRCAS) at Myeongdong Cathedral in the national capital.

About 400 people attended the Mass, including the apostolic nuncio to Korea, Archbishop Giovanni Gaspari, Seoul’s retired archbishop Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, the committee’s first chairperson, Archbishop Andrew Choi Chang-moo, committee members, priests and religious, and North Korean refugee advocates.

Chung, the current committee chairperson, said the KRCAS was born in 1995, about 50 years after Korea was split into two and 45 years after the Korean War.

It was also the same year when Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, former archbishop of Seoul and also the apostolic administrator of Pyongyang, officially announced his desire to visit North Korea.

Chung hailed the committee for its efforts over the past 30 years in promoting peace and reconciliation in the Korean Peninsula despite the difficulties.

He said that it has “committed to its pastoral vision of prayers, education, research, and sharing through various projects.”

A “Mass for Korea Reconciliation and Unity” is offered at Myeongdong Cathedral every Tuesday. By now, 1,457 masses have been offered for the cause, he said.

Chung said he strongly urges the committee to take the initiative “in joining hands with other like-minded religions, civil society, and politicians as well as other organizations and members within the Church to share the path towards the conversion of both North and South Koreas.”

After the anniversary Mass, a book documenting the 30-year history of the committee was launched.

Apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Giovanni Gaspari, applauded the committee and said the Vatican follows and endorses its efforts for peace and reconciliation.

“In the midst of current tensions and conflicts surrounding the Korean Peninsula, your efforts to set aside the hatred of division and open a new chapter of reconciliation are more valuable than ever. The Holy See closely follows these endeavors and joins in prayer for the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula,” Gaspari said.

He expressed his “deepest gratitude to all who have dedicated themselves to peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula over the past 30 years.”

Awards with certificates of merit were presented to several individuals for their life-long dedication and commitment to Korea Reconciliation and Unity and Peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The Korea Reconciliation Committee was established on March 1, 1995, by Cardinal Kim to fill the roles and responsibilities of the Church on the divided Korean Peninsula.

Besides various pastoral activities, the committee established the Institute of Peace-Sharing with a mission of presenting the roles and vision of the Church in realizing peace on the peninsula based on research and education for peace and sharing and engaging in policy research and practical activities.

The committee and the institute organize the annual "Wind of Peace," a world youth pilgrimage to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates South and North Korea.

The committee also supervises a youth researcher group called the Thomas Society as a way of promoting youth peace apostles.