Lee In-young: "If North Korea decides, Papal visit to North Korea is possible... We should create conditions rather than make premature judgments"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, who accompanied President Moon Jae-in to the G20 summit, stated, "If North Korea makes a decision, there is a possibility that the Pope could visit North Korea."

Minister Lee appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs' on the 4th and said, "The Pope has repeatedly expressed his willingness to visit North Korea, and such intentions have also been confirmed, haven't they?"

He added, "Regarding the possibility of the Pope's visit to North Korea, concrete discussions should take place between the Vatican and North Korean authorities," and said, "Rather than making premature judgments, we should calmly work to create the conditions, hoping that the Pope can take a significant step for peace on the Korean Peninsula."

The realization of the visit depends on whether North Korea invites the Pope. When the host asked if North Korea would send an invitation, Minister Lee said, "It is not for us to judge first," and emphasized, "If North Korea makes a decision for peace on the Korean Peninsula and takes steps toward denuclearization, peace settlement, and rejoining the international community, then this issue will also be reviewed and judged along that line."

Minister Lee accompanied President Moon's G20 summit schedule and the Vatican schedule, and also met with Cardinal Turkson, head of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. He explained, "Within the Catholic Church, there is the Justice and Peace Commission, which combines roles related to refugees, migration ministry, social welfare ministry, and health ministry to form a department that promotes integral human development, which is the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development," and said, "We had a conversation with Cardinal Turkson regarding conflict and dispute resolution, peace on the Korean Peninsula, humanitarian cooperation, human dignity, and development."

Cardinal Turkson and Minister Lee agreed to maintain close communication for peace on the Korean Peninsula and humanitarian cooperation. Regarding whether there is any Vatican-level support for North Korea beyond the Pope's visit, Minister Lee responded, "We did not have specific discussions about the preparation status or cooperation plans related to COVID-19 vaccine cooperation."

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