SPOTLIGHT 25/10/13 Korean and Timorese churches seek to improve migrant ministry

[성기화 요셉]

South Korea is home to about 7,000 Timorese migrants

South Korean Church delegation meet Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão on Oct. 13. (Photo: Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea)

By UCA News reporter

Published: October 23, 2025 11:42 AM GMT

Updated: October 23, 2025 11:47 AM GMT

A South Korean Catholic delegation paid a visit to Timor-Leste as part of strengthening cooperation with the Timorese Church and government for better protection and welfare of migrant communities.

A 12-member delegation of the Committee for Pastoral Care for Migrants of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea (CBCK) paid a visit to the tiny Catholic-majority nation on Oct. 11-15, the conference said in a statement on Oct. 23.

The delegation was led by Father Hwang Seong-ho, the committee’s secretary general.

During this visit, the delegation visited Timor-Leste agencies and facilities entrusted with sending migrant workers abroad, including SEFOPE (National Secretariat for Vocational Training and Employment).

The delegates paid a visit to Cardinal Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, archbishop of Dili in the national capital. They have also made courtesy calls to President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão.

They shared with church and government officials about the plight of Timor-Leste migrants in Korea and the support services migrants receive from the Korean Church.

They have also promised to improve better pastoral care program for Timor-Leste migrants.

Following the meeting on Oct. 11, Cardinal da Silva said he hopes to better things for Timorese migrants in Korea.

"I hope that through this journey, you will better understand the people of East Timor and, upon returning to Korea, will be even more hospitable to East Timorese workers," the prelate said.

On Oct. 12, the Korean delegation participated in a Holy Mass in Dili, visited the archdiocesan cathedral, parishes, chapels and homes of people. They also paid a visit to EX-Korea Alumni, an organization of Korean migrants in Timor Leste.

Though European nations and Australia have a large number of Timor Leste migrants, South Korea is home to about 7,000 Timorese migrants, according to official data.

During the visit on Oct. 14, President Horta thanked Korea for employment and support for Timor-Leste workers in the country.

He noted that due to difficulty in obtaining visas for spouses working in Korea, Timor-Leste has been suffering from social problems related to family breakdowns.

He requested the Korean Church delegation to speak to the Korean government to ensure that workers' families stay together.