Joseph Yun Li-sun

This is the reply of the Holy See to a Christmas card sent by the National Korean Catholic Association. It will be delivered during a visit by a Caritas delegation to Pyongyang on 27 March. Mgr Lazzaro You Heung will lead the delegation.

The cardinal, Archbishop of Seoul and Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang, gave AsiaNews his feedback about the signing of the denuclearization treaty and thanked the nations that made a pacific accord possible. There are concerns about refugees and the use of energy aid.

The president of the Episcopal Health Conference, Mgr Lazzaro You Heung-sik, told AsiaNews about celebrations for the World Day of the Sick that were held in Seoul. He talked about a renewed stimulus for coexistence, not least with marginalized people. There was an evening with youth that gave hope for the future.

The Korean Catholic Church is organising a three-day series of scientific and cultural events to underscore the importance of pastoral and spiritual care of those affected by incurable diseases. Catholic leaders renew appeal for medical research compatible with Catholic ethics.

South Korean Unification Minister quits. Seoul's unconditional dialogue with Pyongyang comes under attack as humanitarian aid is diverted to North Korea's army and military plans.

The director of the Korean Caritas, Fr Paul Jeremiah Hwang Yong-yeon, was the first foreigner to cross the border with North Korea after Pyongyang announced that it had carried out a nuclear test. He told AsiaNews how this experiment is sure to deal a heavy blow to the work of the Catholic organization and how ordinary people will pay the price.

The Lay Apostolate Council of Korea issued a message: Church efforts for reconciliation in the peninsula and the dispatch of humanitarian aid to the North Korean people should not be diverted to the production of weapons of mass destruction.

The presidents of the Episcopal Committees for Reconciliation of the Korean People and for Justice & Peace issued a joint message to say peace in the peninsula must be achieved through dialogue. No one should block the path towards reconciliation that was paved with so much effort.

The cardinal, archbishop of Seoul and apostolic administrator of Pyongyang, told AsiaNews the test had been announced but no one could confirm it. The chairman of the South Korean Caritas, Mgr Lazarus You, said blocking aid should not be an option. A Caritas Internationalis meeting will be held in Rome next week to decide how to proceed with the North.

The South Korean bishops, amid the general assembly of their conference, gathered all those involved in the sector of humanitarian aid for the people of North Korea. Tomorrow, the local Caritas director leaves for the north.

The place of worship "is intended to be a tangible sign of the desire to live in full and lasting peace with our brothers in the north".

At the end of celebrations marking the first anniversary of the pontiff's death, he was remembered by the Catholic authorities of Korea, ambassadors and believers.