President Lee Says "Social Conflict Is Severe"... Religious Leaders Call for Pragmatic, Centrist Politics

President Lee Holds 80-Minute Luncheon with Leaders of Seven Major Religions
"Religious Role Is Important, Needed More Than Ever"

On the 9th, President Lee Jae-myung invited the leaders of the seven major religions in Korea for a luncheon, during which he listened to their advice on state governance and ways to promote national unity.

President Lee Jae-myung is taking a commemorative photo with religious leaders who attended a luncheon meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 9th. In the front row from the left in front of the Presidential Office are Kim Jongseng, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea; Deoksoo, Chief Executive Monk of the Cheontae Order; Lee Yonghun, Chairman Bishop of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea; Jinwoo, Chief Executive Monk of the Jogye Order; President Lee; Kim Jonghyuk, President of the Korea Christian Federation; Choi Jongsu, President of Sungkyunkwan; and Jung Suntak, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul. In the back row from the left are Park Injun, Leader of Cheondogyo; Sangjin, Chief Executive Monk of the Taego Order; Na Sangho, Director of the Won Buddhism Headquarters; and Kim Ryeongha, Chairman of the Korean Ethnic Religions Council. Yonhap News

President Lee stated, "It has been just over a month since I took office, and as I feared during the election process, our society is excessively divided and the level of conflict is concerning." He added, "Although there are some signs of gradual healing, we do not know what will happen if the political situation changes."

He went on to say, "I believe the role of religion is extremely important," and elaborated, "Religion, at its core, seeks love and respect. I think this is an era in which the role of religious leaders is needed more than ever."

Eleven leaders from seven domestic religious groups attended the luncheon and offered words of advice to President Lee.

Kim Jonghyuk, President of the Korea Christian Federation, said, "For the current administration to succeed, it must overcome the severe division of public opinion and the confrontations and conflicts among the people, and achieve national unity." He continued, "If any policy becomes mired in ideology, it will divide the people, so I hope you will create a unified Korea through pragmatic and centrist politics."

The particular emphasis on centrist politics is interpreted as a concern over the inclusion of the proposal to change the name of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in the Government Organization Act and related legislation. The Christian community is currently strongly opposing the move to change the existing name "Ministry of Gender Equality and Family" to "Ministry of Gender Equality and Family," arguing that the term "gender equality" should be used, which excludes homosexuality, rather than "gender equality." In response to our inquiry, President Kim said, "We have conveyed the concerns of the Christian community about the name change of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family through various channels," and added, "I have emphasized the need for progress based on national consensus."

Jinwoo, Chief Executive Monk of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, said, "The President has led the people well from the center. As a result, the President has played a major role in establishing the current stable foundation, and I am personally deeply grateful to the point of being moved to tears."

He continued, "I hope and expect that, based on your experience and wisdom so far, you will demonstrate great leadership in placing the people and the nation on solid ground. Even if it is difficult and challenging for you, I hope the people will be able to live in greater peace. Please make Korea the best in the world."

The luncheon was attended by the following religious leaders: from Buddhism, Jinwoo, Chief Executive Monk of the Jogye Order; Deoksoo, Chief Executive Monk of the Cheontae Order; and Sangjin, Chief Executive Monk of the Taego Order; from Protestantism, Kim Jonghyuk, President of the Korea Christian Federation, and Kim Jongseng, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea; from Catholicism, Lee Yonghun, Chairman Bishop of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, and Jung Suntak, Archbishop of the Seoul Archdiocese; from Won Buddhism, Na Sangho, Director of the Won Buddhism Headquarters; from Confucianism, Choi Jongsu, President of Sungkyunkwan; from Cheondogyo, Park Injun, Leader of Cheondogyo; and Kim Ryeongha, Chairman of the Korean Ethnic Religions Council.

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