Korean church praises summit as prelude to peace
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un smile as they head to Peace House in the village of Panmunjeom on the Demilitarized Zone that has separated their two countries since the 1950-53 Korean War, during their historic inter-Korean summit on April 27, 2018.
Columban Missionaries and South Korean church leaders welcomed the summit held at the truce village of Panmunjeom on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
"The Panmunjeom Declaration is very important as it opened the way for peace and reunification through complete denuclearization," said Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung Archbishop of Seoul on April 30, 2018.
“I welcome the efforts of the two leaders to take the initiative in encouraging both sides to lay down their guns and hold hands in the name of peace. I expect to see sustainable peace finally restored to our lands," he added”
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un were seen smiling and holding hands as they crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and later enjoyed a banquet together.
It marked the first time a North Korean leader has crossed into South Korean territory and comes on the heels of Kim's recent trip to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi
"I believe the flame of the Holy Spirit has not blown out," said Cardinal Yeom, who is the apostolic administrator of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, despite not being able to travel to the communist country.
"Still there are faithful there who meet God in their prayers, who remember the graces of the sacraments and who long for God. I pray for the day when I can meet the faithful of Pyongyang Diocese and offer a Mass with them."
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UCA news - ucanews.com May 3, 2018
Related links
- Read more from The Far East, June 2018