Korean bishops hopeful for reconciliation and national unity
By Linda Bordoni
鈥淢ay the year 2020, which marks the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War become the beginning of a new era of peace and unity.鈥�
May it be the year in which 鈥渢he tragedy of national division is overcome with a declaration of the end of the Korean War and a peace treaty for the Korean peninsula鈥�.
This is the message at the heart of a statement released by the President of the Korean Bishops鈥� Conference after the meeting between the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un.
Milestone for peace
The statement, signed by Archbishop Hyginus Kim Hee-joong, noted that the June 30 meeting was held in Panmunjeom, a city 鈥渨hich is a symbol of the division of the Korean peninsula.鈥� The event, he continued, represents 鈥渁 historical milestone for peace in the Korean peninsula, in North-East Asia and in the world.鈥�
Bishop Hee-joong also recalled that on 25 June, on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the 鈥渇ratricidal Korean War鈥�, the Catholic Church celebrated a 鈥淒ay of Prayer for Reconciliation and Unity of the Korean People鈥� on the theme "Blessed are the peacemakers".
Marking the occasion, a 鈥淢ass for Peace鈥� was held in Imjingak, a village located in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the border with North Korea.
The war on the divided peninusula ended on July 27, 1953, with a truce, but not a peace treaty. Hence the two neighbours are technically still at war.
International support
The bishop noted that the Catholic Church in Korea appeals for the continuation of dialogue and meetings and for the support and encouragement of the international community.
Bishop Hee-joong concludes expressing his hope that the summits between South Korea, the United States and North Korea can bring good news.
鈥淒espite all the difficulties that the journey towards lasting peace in the Korean peninsula has encountered鈥�, he said, 鈥淭he day of reconciliation and unity for Koreans will come soon鈥�.
The Pope's appeal
On Sunday 30 June, Pope Francis expressed his hopes for the meeting between the American and North Korean leaders.
Speaking during the Angelus, he said 鈥淚n these last few hours, we have seen in Korea a good example of the culture of encounter,鈥� and he expressed his hope that such a significant gesture might constitute a further step along the path of peace, not only on that [Korean] peninsula, but for the whole world.鈥�
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