President Moon: "I will keep my ears open until the end and listen to the elders of the religious community"

Religious Leaders Invited to Blue House Luncheon, Urged on Religious Sector's Role in Carbon Neutrality and COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 12th at a luncheon meeting with religious leaders held at the Blue House, "I will keep my ears open until the very end to listen to the words of the elders in the religious community and strive for communication."

In his closing remarks that day, President Moon urged the religious community to work towards national unity, saying this. He also expressed gratitude, saying, "For carbon neutrality, the consciousness and lifestyles of the people must change, and the religious community is playing a significant role in this."

Park Kyung-mi, spokesperson for the Blue House, explained in a written briefing that "today's meeting was arranged to listen to the opinions of religious leaders on national unity and government administration in the New Year, and to request cooperation and support," adding, "The attendees spoke while sharing a vegetarian meal prepared for the occasion."

Ryu Young-mo, President of the Korea Christian Federation, said, "The Korean church will join efforts to solve the climate crisis, low birthrate issues, and unification problems," and added, "We will not neglect healing the divided society after the presidential election and deeply embracing and praying for the government's and nation's agenda."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Hong-jung, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea, stated, "We are conducting a campaign for a declaration to end the war for a war-free Korean Peninsula," and requested, "Please persuade North Korea and the international community to strengthen interdependence based on the universal value of life safety as a common denominator and open the way."

Lee Yong-hoon, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, pointed out that since the Constitutional Court's decision in April 2019, the abortion law has yet to be legislated, urging follow-up measures.

Na Sang-ho, Chief Executive of Won Buddhism, evaluated, "The government launched based on the Candlelight Citizen Revolution has operated well in meeting expectations," and added, "Although momentum seemed to wane due to COVID-19, we have advanced to a developed country recognized by the United Nations."

Sohn Jin-woo, Chief of Sungkyunkwan, said, "We plan to cooperate with the government by helping to resolve the power shortage through self-production of electricity using solar power at over 1,000 Hyanggyo and Seowon nationwide."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Song Beom-du, Chief of Cheondogyo, said, "COVID-19 originated from humans not considering nature, and to overcome COVID-19, it is necessary to respect nature."

Lee Beom-chang, Chairman of the Korean Council of Indigenous Religions, pledged, "We will cooperate with the government’s quarantine efforts by joining forces with neighboring religions and work together to achieve the national goal of carbon neutrality."

Monk Moon Deok, Senior Vice President of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order Council, said, "It has been difficult to embrace all 50 million citizens, but I am grateful that we have overcome well."

Jung Soon-taek, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul, said, "Despite the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, national power has increased and national prestige has risen, and I will pray for progress in peace on the Korean Peninsula."

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