South Korea

The second preparatory meeting, attended by delegates from 100 countries, has recently taken place in the South Korean capital. The registration system and the structure of the programme in the dioceses were outlined. Archbishop Chung said: “Do not simply gather participants; invite a young person to encounter the Lord”.

Launched in 1976 by Father Oh Woong-jin, the "Village of Flowers" is now South Korea's largest Catholic social welfare complex. From the first "House of Love" for the homeless, a religious congregation has emerged with missions in several countries, including the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Pope Francis visited the community in 2014.

According to a study by the Bank of Korea and the OECD, competition for places at the best private schools is driving fertility rates to historic lows (with only a slight recovery in the last two years). Without this factor, the average number of children would rise by 28 per cent. Women are more affected than men.

Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja was sentenced today for making donations to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Yun Young-ho, former head of the Unification Church’s global headquarters, was also given six months. Critics slam the political nature of the sentence and call for religious freedom.

The scaling back of joint military exercises with South Korea was intended to reopen direct dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang. But the North denies any contact and is raising the ‘price’ for a return to negotiations. These developments are placing President Lee Jae-myung in an increasingly difficult position.

The Sea Legend Shipping Company will inaugurate the first regular container service via the Northern Sea Route. South Korea is following with a trial voyage. The thawing Arctic and the difficulties affecting traditional routes are making the arctic more attractive. But ice, costs, sanctions, and security are limiting commercial ambitions (for now).

Two soldiers captured last year in Kursk could be repatriated to North Korea, while South Korea said that it is ready to welcome them if they wish. Six activists fighting for their transfer are now under investigation for entering Ukraine without authorisation.

A major event in the history of Christian-Confucian relations took place in South Korea. AsiaNews’ editorial director, who was present at the meeting, reports on it. The religious dimension of Confucianism, the theme of friendship, and the discussion on democracy were among the most significant aspects of the meeting.

At the annual commemoration in Japan, the registry of South Korean victims of the 1945 bombings was updated. Eighty years later, survivors and their descendants continue to demand recognition for their suffering. An international people’s tribunal will open in Seoul in November to shed light on US responsibility.

"Confidite, Ego Vici Mundum" is the title of the song selected from 434 submissions, a work by a young South Korean composer, Francis Jiyoon Kim. The global tree-planting campaign "Breath of Life" has also been launched. The organising committee is reporting that the preparatory phase has now moved to implementation. Young people are invited to experience a "spiritual pilgrimage".

Promoted by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the Confucian Academy of Korea, the meeting will focus on the relationship between the "New Heaven and the New Earth" of the Apocalypse and the ideal of “Datong”, the "Great Harmony" described in the Book of Rites. Guidelines to Christian-Confucian dialogue developed by a group of experts will also be presented during the conference.

The inquiry into allegations that thousands of Church members joined political parties has now extended to the ruling Democratic Party. The religious movement's founder, 95-year-old Lee Man-hee, has been in pre-trial detention for about a month. This case continues to fuel divisions in South Korean society.