President Moon: "If We Do Not Give Up Hope of Meeting, We Will Surely Walk the Path to Unification"

Invitation of Buddhist Leaders to Cheongwadae Ahead of 2nd Anniversary of September 19 Pyongyang Declaration
Moon "Buddhism Also Canceled Millennium Yeondeunghoe...Thankful for Cooperation in COVID-19 Prevention"

President Moon Jae-in attended a meeting with Korean Buddhist leaders held on the morning of the 18th at the Blue House main building, greeting together after the representative greeting by Wonhaeng, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order.

President Moon Jae-in met with Buddhist leaders on the 18th, a day before the 2nd anniversary of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration, saying, "If we do not give up hope for meetings and dialogue, we will surely move toward the path of peace and unification."

On this day, President Moon invited Buddhist leaders to the Blue House and expressed his gratitude to the Buddhist community for cooperating in the prevention of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

President Moon said, "Tomorrow marks the 2nd anniversary of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration," adding, "In 2018, I declared together with Chairman Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang to the 80 million people of our nation and the world that we would move toward a peaceful Korean Peninsula."

He continued, "The Buddhist community held prayer ceremonies wishing for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula ahead of the inter-Korean summits, and prayed for peaceful unification again this year following last year," expressing his appreciation for the Buddhist community's companionship in striving for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

President Moon said, "Buddhism has been a source of strength to overcome hardships on this land for 1,700 years," and added, "Buddhism has always been by the side of the people walking the path of national defense, independence, democracy, and peace." He further stated, "I hope the Buddhist community will always join us in opening the path for inter-Korean exchanges and advancing the path to peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Additionally, President Moon repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the Buddhist community for actively cooperating in quarantine efforts during the COVID-19 situation.

He said, "The Buddhist community took the lead in practicing quarantine measures from the early stages of COVID-19," and praised, "They suspended all events including Buddhist ceremonies and made the difficult decision to close temple gates."

He added, "They postponed the Buddha's Birthday celebration ceremonies and conducted prayers to overcome COVID-19," and noted, "In May, they even decisively canceled the Yeondeunghoe Lantern Festival, which has continued for over a thousand years." He emphasized, "Although we could not see the lantern parade of harmony and peace, they lit a beacon of hope that by sharing hardships, we can surely overcome COVID-19."

Attending the meeting were Buddhist leaders including Ven. Wonhaeng, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order and Chairman of the Korean Buddhist Orders Association; Ven. Mundeok, Chief Executive of the Cheontae Order; Ven. Hoeseong, Director of the Jingakjong; Ven. Hongpa, Chief Executive of the Gwaneumjong; and Ven. Homyeong, Chief Executive of the Taego Order.

This is the second time since his inauguration that President Moon has invited Buddhist leaders for a meeting, following one in July last year.

On the 20th of last month, President Moon invited Catholic leaders and Protestant leaders to the Blue House to exchange opinions related to COVID-19 quarantine measures.

Meanwhile, President Moon is scheduled to present appointment letters to Supreme Court Justice Lee Heung-gu, Minister of National Defense Seo Wook, and Commissioner of the National Tax Service Kim Dae-ji in the afternoon of the same day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.