Prime Minister Han Holds Luncheon with Cardinal Yu Heung-sik: "Pope Also Interested in Peace on the Korean Peninsula"

Discussion on Government-Religious Cooperation
"Collaboration for Social Integration"

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook met with Cardinal Yu Heung-sik, who returned to Korea for his summer vacation, to discuss issues such as peace on the Korean Peninsula, social integration, and support measures for young people.

According to the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Prime Minister Han held a luncheon meeting with Cardinal Yu, Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Clergy, at the official residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 1st. The two exchanged views on key issues, including peace on the Korean Peninsula and social integration. The meeting was arranged to welcome Cardinal Yu during his visit to Korea and to hear the perspectives of the religious community on realizing social integration and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook is posing for a commemorative photo with Cardinal Yu Heung-sik, the first Korean minister of the Clergy Department, before lunch at the Prime Minister's residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News

Prime Minister Han and Cardinal Yu agreed that the World Youth Day, a global Catholic youth festival to be held in Seoul next year, should serve as more than just a religious event but also as an opportunity to deliver comfort and hope to young people weary from real-life challenges. Prime Minister Han said, "The government will do its utmost to ensure the successful hosting of the World Youth Day, supporting safety management and the convenience of participants so that the event can become a platform that conveys a message of peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Cardinal Yu stated, "Pope Leo XIV is also deeply interested in peace on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "I will pray for peace on the Korean Peninsula, where the North and South can live together through dialogue and reconciliation. The Holy See will also do everything necessary at the institutional level."

As the luncheon concluded, Prime Minister Han said, "As the head of a Vatican dicastery, you are elevating the national profile of the Republic of Korea through your devoted pastoral work on the global stage. Please continue to support the realization of lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and the healing of conflicts in our society."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.