What Topics Did Former Presidents Discuss When Meeting the Pope?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As it became known that President Moon Jae-in had an audience with Pope Francis for the first time in three years and engaged in dialogue related to peace on the Korean Peninsula, attention is also being drawn to the content of conversations between past presidents and the pope.

According to the Blue House on the 29th, past presidents have commonly mentioned the Korean Peninsula issue as a discussion agenda with the pope and have requested the Vatican's support for peace.

In 2003, former President Kim Dae-jung made a state visit to the Vatican and met with Pope John Paul II, proposing a visit to North Korea for peace on the Korean Peninsula. The pope responded by expressing support for President Kim's efforts toward peace on the peninsula.

Former President Roh Moo-hyun also officially visited the Vatican in 2007 and met with Pope Benedict XVI. At this meeting, President Roh confirmed support for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the policy of peaceful prosperity, requested a visit to the Vatican, and the pope urged the parties involved to make active efforts for the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and requested humanitarian aid, including support for vulnerable groups in North Korea.

Former President Lee Myung-bak met with Pope Benedict XVI in 2009 during the G8+ meeting, mentioning North Korea's nuclear and human rights issues and conveying an invitation to visit Korea. The pope emphasized resolving humanitarian issues such as alleviating food shortages in impoverished countries and prayed for the reunification of South and North Korea.

Former President Park Geun-hye also met with Pope Francis at the Vatican in October 2014 during the ASEM summit, asking for interest and prayers for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. The pope responded, "I will pray for peace and reconciliation in Northeast Asia."

President Moon held a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican in October 2018, expressing gratitude for the pope's message of peace on the Korean Peninsula and conveying North Korean Workers' Party General Secretary Kim Jong-un's invitation to the pope. The pope expressed support for the Korean government's efforts and indicated a willingness to visit North Korea.