Matteo Choi Seok Kyoon

As winter approaches, floods and frosty relations between Seoul and Pyongyang are putting the lives of millions of North Koreans at risk because of local food shortages. At the Fifth Forum for Intra-Korean Reconciliation, the archbishop of Seoul challenges lay Catholics to be true Christians and help their northern brothers and sisters, and this despite the worsening relations between the two governments.

The volume an initiative of the Research Institute for Korean Church History, is published in Korean and English. It is the first book that presents in a concise and easy to read manner, the the story of Korea’s evangelization from the early martyrs to the current day.

Among the new challenges, the formation of young people through new media and the evangelization of China. the Daughters of St. Paul in Korea arrived in the country in 1960, and now number 234, with 18 on mission. They manage 12 communities and 15 bookshops. Sister Maria Antonietta Bruscato, superior of the order speaks to AsiaNews about the fruits of mission in the Asian country.

The initiative ends a fund-raising week (4-9 October) by the Catholic Medical Center (CMC) in Seoul to fund hospital care for the poor, terminal patients and training medical staff to a culture of life.

Fr. Paul Cho Hae In, a priest of the Archdiocese of Uijeongbu speaks to AsiaNews about his three years of mission in Cambodia. "A missionary is a bridge between two peoples, the people of the missionary territory and his own Church which is enriched by his mission".

Many are temporarily assigned overseas; others chose the missionary vocation. Almost half are in Asia; the others are spread across Africa, Europe and the Americas. They are in urgent need of training.

A national network of donors and beneficiaries is founded, inviting Koreans to donate organs. The initiative born of the example of card. Kim, who before his death chose to donate his corneas. It aims to combat widespread materialism in Korean society.

Moved by the testimonies of persecuted Christians in Asia, the Korean Catholics reflect on their missionary role in Asia, particularly to North Korea. The proposal for a national meeting to promote solidarity among the lay movements and not to lose the fruits of the Congress.