Joseph Yun Li-sun

Mgr Wenceslao Padilla, apostolic prefect of Ulaanbaatar, visited South Korea to raise funds for Catholic schools in Mongolia. "I cannot imagine how the [Mongolian] Church would have started without the help of the Korean Church," he said. For Seoul Archbishop Yeom, "it is time for us to repay the kindness" that others showed to the Korean Church, and thus we shall "look for different ways to help until the Lord's Good News is thoroughly spread in Mongolia."

Former presidential candidate Moon Jae-in steps into debate over NIS fraud: " The president has benefited from what happened, she must prove her honesty". Catholic Church Manifesto on scandal continues to gain momentum in the country.

Mongolian President Elbegdorj Tsakhiagiin is the first head of state to meet North Korea's young dictator Kim Jong-un. Bilateral relations and the employment of North Korean workers in Mongolian mines are on the table. Tokyo blocks a Mongolian company from buying the Japanese headquarters of North Korea's Workers' Party.

Il group "Catholic Solidarity for peace in Jeju" (supported by Bishop mons. Kang) has launched a campaign to put a stop "indefinitely" to the government's work to build a new site for the Korean and American military. The sisters present formed a human chain and were taken away forciby by the police.

Among the faithful were martyred in the nineteenth century in Korea stands the figure of a woman, Columba Kang Wan-suk, who faced the risk of persecution in order to help spread the Gospel. Arriving with unwavering faith until martyrdom. AsiaNews presents the life and work of these witnesses of Christ waiting for canonization.

Yesterday the Catholics of the South celebrated the liturgical memorial of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, the first native priest, and his fellow martyrs . Bishop of Daejeon : "We prayed that their example give rise to a continuous drive to good ."

The Catholic Church, along with Protestants and Wŏn Buddhists, continues its public protest against the secret services accused of manipulation in the last presidential election and keeping the country under constant surveillance. Catholic source tells AsiaNews, "We must listen carefully to the words Pope Francis spoke yesterday." Catholics must "not lose interest in public affairs", and should "react to such intolerable acts" with every means at their disposal.

As agreed, operations resumed in the inter-Korean industrial complex this morning after it was closed forcibly by the regime during the last crisis on the peninsula. And in the Northern capital, during the Asian Weightlifting Championships, Seoul’s flag is hoisted to celebrate two South Korean athletes.

September 16th the inter-Korean industrial complex will restart operations. A reality the Archbishop of Seoul has often referred to as a "sign of peace and hope" for the peninsula . The South will enjoy a tax exemption for the current year . Family reunification plans also being finalized, due to be resumed after years on the Korean Thanksgiving .

Mgr. Yeom explains the steps taken to join the vigil of prayer and fasting called by the pontiff: "We call on all those who visit the places of pilgrimage in the capital to pray for the intentions of the Pope. So do the 300 thousand youth group Bible study”. Pain and special closeness “for childrens, innocent victims of the conflict.”

The Lee Myung-bak’s administration devastated the nation's water resources. Catholics are asking the new government to return things as they were and open an investigation to find out who profited from the project. For Bishop emeritus of Suwon, "The country must be able to breathe again."

On 8 August, the dictator was in the audience to applaud Hyon Song- wol , a singer with the Unhasu National Orchestra . Nine days later a group of artists were arrested accused of "pornography" and publically executed by firing squad on 20 August, condemning their families to a labor camp. Some of them were Christians. Analysts : " A victory for his wife, who also spent time in that orchestra and wants to consolidate her power over her husband and the succession of her son " .