President Lee Holds Luncheon with Religious Leaders
President Lee: "I Expect You to Play a Major Role in Making Our Society More Inclusive"
Venerable Jinwoo: "Religious Leaders Will Strive to Bring Stability to the Nation and Its People"
On July 9, President Lee Jaemyung met with leaders of various religious communities and requested their help in promoting social integration, saying, "Our society is excessively divided and confrontational, which has greatly intensified conflicts. Your role is extremely important."
During a luncheon with religious leaders at the presidential office in Yongsan on this day, President Lee said, "Although it appears that conflicts have been gradually healing over the past month, no one can predict what will happen if the political situation changes." He made these remarks in this context.
President Lee added, "Religion fundamentally pursues love and respect," and continued, "I hope you will play a major role in helping our society become more respectful, harmonious, and inclusive through your special attention."
The luncheon was attended by 17 people, including Venerable Jinwoo, co-chair of the Korean Conference of Religious Leaders and President of the Jogye Order; Venerable Deoksu, President of the Cheontae Order; Venerable Sangjin, President of the Taego Order; Kim Jonghyuk, President of the National Council of Churches in Korea; Kim Jongsaeng, Secretary General of the National Council of Churches in Korea; Lee Yonghun Matia, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea; Jeong Suntaek Pedro, Archbishop of the Seoul Archdiocese; Na Sangho, Head of the Won-Buddhism Administration; Choi Jongsu, Head of the Sungkyunkwan; Park Injun, Leader of Cheondogyo; and Kim Ryeongha, President of the Korean Association of National Religions.
From the presidential office, Chief of Staff Kang Hunsik, Policy Chief Kim Yongbeom, Senior Secretary for Communication and Integration Jeon Sunghwan, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs Moon Jinyoung, and Spokesperson Kang Yujeong were present. From the government, Kim Dohyeong, Director of Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, also attended.
Venerable Jinwoo said, "Religious leaders should have cared for the anxious hearts of the people and provided peace through love and compassion. In that respect, we are not free from responsibility." He continued, "As you all know, the past seven months have been one of the most serious national crises in modern and contemporary history. Nevertheless, our people have handled it well with collective intelligence. I felt once again how great our people are, and the President led the people well from the center."
Venerable Jinwoo also said, "Going forward, I hope and expect that you will use your experience and wisdom to place the people and the nation on a solid foundation. We, as religious leaders, will also work together with the President to provide stability to the country and the people. I ask that we join forces to make Korea the best in the world."
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