Theresa Kim Hwa-young

The country’s first cloistered convent was founded in 1939 by Carmelite sisters. Since then the presence of contemplatives has grown. Today they are around 300. Monks and nuns have also left the peninsula to set up monasteries in other Asian countries. Buddhist culture’s high esteem for people who pray makes contemplatives’ life easy to understand to the local population. It also favours inter-faith dialogue between Catholic and Zen Buddhist monks.

Experts observe that the "team" of the government that the newly elected US president is selecting appears inclined to seek joint solutions with Pyongyang, and to resolve problems with direct talks. But this could cause problems in relations with Seoul.

South Korean president stresses that such a summit could secure positive developments on the North Korean nuclear issue. Obama urges South Korean president to strengthen ties between the two countries to guarantee “peace and stability” in Asia and solve the financial crisis.

The monks' leaders insist on the dismissal of the chief of police, and on a law against religious discrimination. But now conservative Protestant groups are also joining in the controversy. The risk is that a real interconfessional clash could erupt.

The monks denounce episodes of discrimination and violation of religious freedom on the part of state officials and leaders. They are calling for an official apology from the Korean president and equal treatment, denouncing "inhospitable" attitudes toward them.

Each month about 20 teenagers between 10 and 19 take their lives. High competitiveness and selectivity in university entrance exams are among the main causes. Teachers and experts complain the problem is not receiving the necessary attention and instead is too often swept under the carpet; they call on schools and educational institutions to adopt specific programmes geared towards young people.

Dissatisfaction is growing in the country against the president’s hands-on, unilateral style of politics, dismissive of the opposition. He is blamed for weakening parliament’s role in favour of his image as a ‘strongman’ at the helm of the nation.

The killing of a South Korean tourist risks sending the two countries back to the Cold War era. Seoul demands an official apology, and sends a team of investigators. Pyongyang rejects the idea of a "joint investigation", and blasts the decision to suspend tourism in the north.

Lee Kun-hee, who headed the group for 20 years, is under investigation for corruption and abuse of power. The public prosecutor is also asking for the restitution of 350 million dollars, earned from illicit business. Seven other top managers face charges.

Tens of thousands participated in the candlelight vigil, peaceful marches, and open-air Masses against the importing of U.S. beef and against the violence of the authorities. Demonstrators want to reopen dialogue with the highly criticised government, and make it understood that violence cannot stop protests.

This is the theme chosen by the Bishops’ Conference to favour the meeting and comparison between the country’s various religions. An annual meeting in late June is on the drawing board.

Protests over American meat, the project for the "great canal", and the lack of dialogue with the opposition are losing points for the new Korean leader, who gets only 17 favourable votes out of 100.