Korean archbishop expresses hope country’s new president to work for unity, justice

"I hope he will keep his promises to restore justice with a policy of unity and not of division,” said Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul

The Archbishop of Seoul has expressed hope that the country’s newly elected president, Yoon Suk-yeol, will fulfill his promise to work for unity and justice.

“I hope he will keep his promises to restore justice with a policy of unity and not of division,” said Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-Taick of Seoul.

Yoon Suk-yeol, the country’s former attorney general and head of the conservative People Power Party, was elected president on March 8.



On March 30, Archbishop Chung received the president-elect, a Catholic, who visited the “Myeongdong Babjib” soup kitchen, which was opened by Cardinal Andrew Yeom in January 2021.

The soup kitchen, a showcase of volunteerism and service to the poor, serves meals to the homeless in the city, said a report by the Italian news agency Fides.

The report noted that during their first meeting in February, Archbishop Chung asked President Yoon to “listen more deeply to the voices of the poor and needy.”

The president-elect, who was baptized as a Catholic with the name of Ambrosio, visited the “Myeongdong Babjib” soup kitchen as a gesture to show that he is willing to fulfill his promise, said the report.

The soup kitchen, which is being run by the “One Body One Spirit Movement,” provides free meals to homeless people every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

In his homily during Mass attended by Catholic government officials, Archbishop Chung stressed that “for a Christian, the will of God should have priority over any rule of political parties.”

“We must reflect on our politics and see if it is fully imbued with the will of God,” said the prelate. – with a report from Fides

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