President Lee Holds 80-Minute Luncheon With Leaders of Seven Major Religions, Including Catholicism, Buddhism, and Christianity
President Lee: "I Expect You to Play a Major Role in Making Our Society More Inclusive"
Venerable Jinwoo: "Religious Leaders Will Strive to Provide Stability to the Nation and the People"
President Lee Jaemyung met with religious leaders on July 9 and requested their role in promoting social integration, stating, "Our society is excessively divided and confrontational, which has greatly intensified conflicts. Your role is extremely important."
On this day, during a luncheon with religious leaders at the presidential office in Yongsan, President Lee said, "Although it seems that conflicts have been gradually subsiding over the past month, we cannot know what will happen if the political situation changes." He made these remarks while emphasizing the importance of their role.
President Lee also added, "Religion is fundamentally about pursuing love and respect," and continued, "With your special attention, I expect you to play a major role in making our society more respectful, harmonious, and inclusive."
The luncheon was attended by Jinwoo, the Joint Chairperson of the Korean Conference of Religions for Peace and President of the Jogye Order; Deoksu, President of the Cheontae Order; Sangjin, President of the Taego Order; Kim Jonghyuk, President of the United Christian Churches of 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 Dharma Master of Won Buddhism; Choi Jongsu, Head of Sungkyunkwan; Park Injun, Spiritual Leader of Cheondoism; 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 Seonghwan, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs Moon Jinyoung, and Spokesperson Kang Yujeong attended. From the government, Kim Dohyeong, Director of Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, was present.
Jinwoo stated, "Religious leaders should have cared for the anxious hearts of the people and brought them peace with love and compassion. In that respect, we are not free from responsibility." He continued, "As you all know, over the past seven months, we have faced one of the gravest national crises in modern and contemporary history. Nevertheless, our people have overcome it well with collective intelligence. I felt just how great our people are, and the President has guided the people well from the center."
Furthermore, Jinwoo said, "Going forward, I hope and expect you to demonstrate the ability to place the people and the nation on a solid foundation based on the experience and wisdom gained so far. We, as religious leaders, will also strive together with the President to provide stability to the country and the people. Let us join forces to make Korea the best in the world."
After the luncheon, Spokesperson Kang Yujeong briefed the press, stating, "The atmosphere throughout the event was warm and amicable, and opinions were freely exchanged on the role of the religious community in resolving social conflicts, as well as on a wide range of social issues such as education, human rights, and peace. Along with the long-cherished projects of each religious order, specific wishes for the new administration were also conveyed."
Spokesperson Kang also explained, "There were remarks about the role of religion in protecting the people during difficult times such as the Japanese occupation and the democratization movement, and there was also an evaluation that Korean society, where diverse religions coexist peacefully, is something the world can be proud of. After President Lee listened to the insights and wisdom of the religious leaders for about 80 minutes, Jinwoo joked that while aides may get nosebleeds, the President might get a nosebleed from his ears."
The meal was prepared as a Korean vegetarian menu to reflect the religious values of respect for life, compassion, and non-violence, featuring dishes such as cucumber and ginseng cold salad, black sesame tofu, and grilled yam. As dessert, figs symbolizing abundance, peace, rest, and religious enlightenment were served.
Meanwhile, this was President Lee's second meeting with religious figures, following his meeting with Cardinal You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy at the Vatican, on July 7.
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