CBCK News
2018-06-14 17:04
5,710
Regarding Success of the Summit between North Korea and the United States

Message from the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea


 


Regarding Success of the Summit between North Korea and the United States


 


The very first summit between North Korea and the United States in pursuit of peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the world successfully came to an end. The two countries, leaving behind their long hostile relations, signed the monumental document which marks unprecedented changes towards the denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula. It is truly a remarkable and joyful event. We express our sincere gratitude to the two leaders, NK’s leader Kim Jong-un and US president Donald Trump. They, with determination, succeeded in dissolving the long history of conflicts and set a new historic stage for peace through conversation. We also appreciate Moon Jae-in, president of South Korea and its government for the significant contribution to the success of the NK-US Summit. Encouraged by this summit, we hope that the international community will promote and support the ongoing efforts for the declaration of ending the Korean War and peace treaty on the Korean peninsula.


 


We welcome the positive outcome of today’s meeting and sincerely hope with all the Korean people that it leads to build the lasting and stable peace on the Korean Peninsula. In this regard, we recall that “peace is never attained once and for all, but must be built up ceaselessly” (Vatican Council II, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, n. 78). The Catholic Church in Korea shall continue to cooperate with the leaders of the two Koreas and the world, praying that they may make contribution to peace on the Korean Peninsula and eventually in the world through open-minded talks.


 


 


 


June 12, 2018



 


+ Hyginus Kim Hee-joong


Archbishop of Gwangju


President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea