Seoul (AsiaNews) – The evangelisation of youth and safeguarding life will be at the heart of activities undertaken by the bishops of South Korea, said Mgr Augustine Cheong Myeng-cho. The bishop of Pusan has just been elected as president of the Korean Bishops' Conference (CBCK) and he had held a press conference to describe his pastoral agenda.

"I will try to become a messenger so that the Catholic Church in Korea can promote evangelization and the common good in all the country through the Episcopal Conference." He also dwelt on the problem of an ageing population and the disaffection of youth as regards the church: "I will concentrate my efforts on making the Church 'young and dynamic.'"

The bishop said he would work to defend a pro-life culture. This move is in line with the direction already taken by Korean bishops, as evident in a decision taken in autumn of 2005 to have the conference's Bioethics Committee prepare publicity materials and divulge the results of research on adult stem cells.

The bishop called for faith, collaboration and prayers for his work "so that the Bishops can exercise their mission entrusted by Christ, devoting themselves to the proclamation of the Gospel and service for the Church." He said he will work for reconciliation and for the unity of the Korean people and will seek to lead the Korean Catholic Church through communion and unity among bishops.

Cheong Myeng-cho was ordained to the priesthood in 1962, and he was appointed bishop in 1990 and bishop of Pusan in 1999. In October 2002, he was appointed vice president of the CBCK until 14 October 2005 when he took over as president.