아시아 10/08/06 Engage with society, religions told - By Paul Hwang, Seoul

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Engage with society, religions told

Published Date: August 6, 2010

By Paul Hwang, Seoul

Thousands of people from civil and religious groups taking part in a candle-lit rally in Korea (file photo)

Faith leaders have been challenged to engage more fully with Korean society and stop creating divisions between themselves and other social groups.

“Religions are an important part of a civilized society but they are not recognized as such because they … don’t engage in the major social issues,” said Francis Park Moon-su, vice director of the Catholic Academy for Korean Culture.

He was speaking ahead of a high level interfaith seminar on socio-religious communication, to be held in Seoul on August 17. It has been arranged by the Interreligious Network for Reformation and the Korean Institute for Religious Freedom. (kirf.or.kr)

His thoughts met with broad agreement from several other leaders who are expected to attend the seminar. “Protestantism in South Korea needs to be more open in its theology,” said Reverend Yi Chan-su, director of the Institute for Religion and Culture.

“This seminar is to help religions recognize that they are a part of civil society and contribute to it,” said Han Ki-nam, secretary general of the Buddhist Solidarity for Reform.

He also observed the prominence of religious practices in society, such as the tradition of returning home for the Lunar New Year and Full Moon Harvest Festival.

Yoon Nam-jin, president of the NGO Research Institute, pointed out some inspiring examples of moments when civil and religious groups came together.

In particular, he cited an incident in May 2008 when thousands of people ranging from church workers to college students held candle-lit demonstrations against the import of US beef.