Joseph Yun Li-sun

South Korea’s Bishops' Conference launches a new organization to support the poor around the world. With particular concern for the North Korea.

Bishop Ahn, president of the Bishops' Commission for Caritas, writes to the faithful: "You have to give to the poor as if you were a mother, and proclaim Christ to the world to rediscover the joy of the divine."

In their pastoral letters for the new liturgical period, South Korean prelates urge the faithful to renew their commitment to missionary work, the liturgy and pastoral activities for youth, “a sure way to strengthen one’s own spirituality.”

Source tells AsiaNews, “these revelations are meaningless. In fact, they confirm the [Sino-North Korean] alliance because they show how deceitful China is with other governments. If a Chinese diplomat tells something to an American diplomat, you can be certain that he did not tell the truth.”

South Korean president changes the rules of engagement, beefs up defence on Yeonpyeong Island and along the maritime border after an attack two days ago. Northern defector tells AsiaNews that Kim Jong-un is behind the incident as he confirms his brutality by ordering an attack against helpless civilians to hold onto power.

Like his father, a ruthless Kim Jong-un launches an “anti-corruption” campaign to consolidate his hold on power. “Senior officials are trembling with fear because they don't know where heads are going to roll,” a source says.

Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong-il’s heir apparent, is second on the list of members of the organising committee for the funeral of Jo Myung-rok, a top North Korean leader who recently passed away. Forty days ago, Jong-un was only sixth in the country’s top leadership. Sources tell AsiaNews that he is taking power by violence.

A Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two governments formalized decision: Germany will provide the necessary advice towards a possible reunification of the Korean peninsula. The problems are enormous, both economically and socially. For over a decade, the Church has been engaged in the field.

The Chinese president writes to the North Korean dictator to reiterate the ties of friendship and cooperation that link the two countries. He says nothing about the Dear Leader’s third son and presumptive heir who was appointed to various key posts in the Communist regime’s hierarchy but fell short of official investiture as the country’s next leader.

The conference of the Workers' Party of Korea re-elects ‘Dear Leader’ Kim Jong-il as general secretary, accepts the appointment of his youngest son as a four-star general. No word has been said yet about Kim Jong-un’s official appointment as successor.

According to local sources, it is a decisive signal: tomorrow, Kim Jong-un will be designated as heir to the "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-il. But some also speak of a coming economic reform, which will be outlined by the dictator to the country’s leadership.

Seoul and Pyongyang plan a new meeting on the issue, but the programme has not yet been re-started. South Korea announces new joint naval exercises with the United States.