ASIA/SOUTH KOREA – The government calls for dialogue with the North: Catholics pray for “hatred to be overcome”

Seoul – “Let us overcome hatred, protect human dignity, engage in relationship with one another, pursue universal fraternity, and work toward a world without discrimination, where the justice and love of the Lord are realized,” reads a message from John Kim Sun-tae, Bishop of Jeonju, Chairman of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Bishops’ Conference of South Korea, as the country once again discusses “dialogue with North Korea” during Advent, a time of waiting and preparation for the birth of Christ the Redeemer. Bishop Kim notes: “Throughout the world, people still suffer from hatred and discrimination,” and as believers who know “the value of human dignity,” “we commit ourselves to creating a world of love and unity.” Reflecting on the wounds inflicted by the division of the peninsula, the bishop explains that “feelings of hatred are spreading among young and old and have reached a very worrying level in our society,” while, on the other hand, the desire for reconciliation and reunification of Korea has significantly weakened. This goal was considered “one of the priorities” in the political, social, and religious spheres. The Catholic Church today sees, especially among younger generations, a decline in this awareness of the pursuit of unity and is committed to “keeping the flame of hope alive.” For this reason, Bishop Kim, in an appeal to “all people of good will,” expresses his hope: “Above all, I hope that hearts will open so that we may recognize that all people are created in the image of God and possess inherent dignity, and so that we may have hearts full of respect and consideration for all people.” The path that young people and adults should take is “the universal empathy that Jesus demonstrated,” he emphasized, urging politicians to “pursue policies for the benefit of all and for coexistence—in other words, ‘good policies.’”
Meanwhile, the Korean government has stated its intention to resume dialogue with North Korea, at least to secure the release of the six South Korean citizens imprisoned across the border. The suspension of inter-Korean talks, according to a statement released today by the presidential office, is hindering progress in securing the release of the prisoners, who were arrested between 2013 and 2016 on espionage charges. “Since dialogue and exchanges between North and South Korea have been suspended for a considerable period, our citizens continue to suffer from the division of the country, and this issue urgently needs to be resolved,” the statement reads. “We will work toward resuming inter-Korean dialogue as soon as possible, based on public consensus,” the statement continued. The government intends to begin “consultations with North Korea,” confirmed the Ministry of Unification, which still exists within the South Korean government. North Korea continues to reject inter-Korean dialogue since Kim Jong Un declared in 2023 that he would sever all ties with South Korea.

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