National Prayer Breakfast Returns to In-Person Event After 3 Years... President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Also Attend

The 54th National Breakfast Prayer Meeting Held In-Person After 3 Years
Over 1,000 Attendees Including President Yoon Seok-yeol and First Lady
President Yoon Requests Prayers for a Nation Upholding Law and Principles

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] The 54th Korea National Breakfast Prayer Meeting was held as a normal on-site prayer meeting for the first time in three years due to the impact of COVID-19. The event, held at 6:40 a.m. on the 5th at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas Hotel, was attended by about 1,000 people, including President Yoon Seok-yeol and his wife, domestic and international leaders, figures from the Christian community, and various sectors.

The opening address was delivered by Lee Chae-ik, a member of the People Power Party and chairman of the Korea National Assembly Breakfast Prayer Meeting. He said, "The recent Itaewon tragedy caused great pain and sorrow to the entire nation," adding, "Now, more than ever, we need God's true comfort and a history of restoration."

Kim Hoe-jae, a member of the Democratic Party and vice chairman of the Korea National Assembly Breakfast Prayer Meeting, comforted the victims of the Itaewon tragedy in the opening prayer, praying, "May we gather strength and wisdom to create a Korea where the lives and safety of the people are guaranteed."

Pastor Ko Myung-jin of Suwon Central Baptist Church, who delivered the sermon, emphasized leaders with the ability to read the times. He said, "Leaders in politics, economy, culture, arts, education, and national defense who will be remembered for generations are those who are not afraid of criticism or insults and faithfully carry out their given mission," adding, "Sharing, giving, serving, helping, building up, praising, and encouraging are good deeds."

Afterward, President Yoon Seok-yeol took the stage and said, "I believe that the Korean church, which has practiced Jesus' love and stood together in humble places, will always pray for the nation's prosperity," adding, "We will do our best for a country where the spirit of freedom and solidarity lives and breathes and where laws and principles are properly established. I believe that is the way to embrace the true vulnerable in our society and solve complex crises."

The prayers were conducted under four themes. Elder Kim Seung-gyeom, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, prayed for "national leaders and national security," Foreign Minister Park Jin prayed for "leap to a global pivotal nation and national stability," Elder Lee Sim, co-chairman of the National Elders Council, prayed for "social integration and response to low birthrate and aging," and Reverend Lee Cheol, president of the Korean Methodist Church, prayed for "comfort for the Itaewon tragedy and the Korean church."

The National Breakfast Prayer Meeting, a purely prayer gathering, began in 1966 as the 1st Presidential Prayer Breakfast and marked its 54th session this year. Except for 1975, it has been held annually with domestic and international dignitaries, including national leaders, gathering to pray for the nation and the people. This year's event was attended by twenty-six politicians from both ruling and opposition parties and nine foreign ambassadors to Korea.