"We Will Strengthen Cooperation with the Holy See to Realize Peace on the Korean Peninsula"
Shin Hyung-sik, the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to South Korea, stated on December 20 (local time) that "Pope Leo XIV's planned visit to South Korea in 2027 will be an important opportunity for peace on the Korean Peninsula."
In an interview with Yonhap News at the Embassy of South Korea to the Holy See in Rome, Italy, Shin said, "We will strengthen cooperation with the Holy See to realize peace on the Korean Peninsula and to promote universal values for humanity worldwide."
Newly appointed Bishop Shin Hyung-sik, Apostolic Nuncio, presents credentials to Pope Leo XIV. Yonhap News
He also mentioned the World Youth Day (WYD), which will be held in Seoul in August 2027. WYD was established in 1985 by Saint John Paul II as the "World Day of Youth" and began the following year. It is an event where the Pope travels to different countries to meet young people, and Pope Leo XIV will visit South Korea for this occasion.
Shin emphasized, "WYD is a great opportunity to promote Korean culture to young people from abroad. The Korean Church, government, and civil society must all participate in the preparations." He added, "If the Pope could visit both South Korea and North Korea, it would become a decisive moment for efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula." It has been reported that the Pope has expressed his desire to meet with North Korean youth during this WYD event.
He also highlighted the relationship between the Korean Catholic Church and the Holy See. Shin remarked, "The Holy See provided significant support during the establishment of the Republic of Korea and the process of gaining recognition as a legitimate government by the United Nations. During the democratization process, Catholic priests and believers played the role of 'light and salt,' facing oppression and imprisonment by authoritarian regimes."
Shin also mentioned Cardinal You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, and noted, "A considerable number of Korean clergy have advanced to key positions in the Holy See. The Holy See also regards the increasing presence of Korean clergy in its ranks as a positive development."
In addition, Shin expressed his intention to pay close attention to the Holy See's efforts to mediate conflicts around the world. The Vatican is currently playing a mediating role between Ukraine and Russia to support children affected by the war between the two countries.
Shin said, "The Holy See draws global attention to issues of conflict and human rights and emphasizes peace. As the Apostolic Nuncio, I will actively support any diplomatic efforts I can undertake."
Meanwhile, on December 19, Shin presented his credentials to the Holy See and began his official three-year term. In 1981, he was imprisoned for leading a demonstration in Seoul commemorating the first anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising. Subsequently, he was involved in various civil society movements, including the Publishers' Association for Democratization, the Memorial Foundation for Democratization Movements, the National Sovereignty Research Institute, and the National Emergency Conference. He also served as Secretary-General of the Asia Democracy Network and as an adjunct professor in the Department of International Area Studies at Pukyong National University.
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