At Vatican Mass, Lee urges 'virtuous cycle' linking Korean Peninsula peace to global solidarity, renewed dialogue between Seoul and Pyongyang
Speaking in Vatican City after Pyongyang’s criticism, President Lee Jae Myung highlighted steps to reduce tensions and reaffirmed his commitment to lasting peace with North Korea.
President Lee Jae Myung delivers a speech during a special Mass for peace and solidarity at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on June 14.NEWS1
VATICAN — President Lee Jae Myung stressed his efforts toward peace with North Korea during his visit to the Vatican on Sunday, revealing his hopes to help create “a virtuous cycle in which peace on the Korean Peninsula leads to global peace and international solidarity — which, in turn, strengthens peace on the peninsula."
Lee gave a commemorative speech at a special Mass for peace and solidarity held at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Vatican City on Sunday morning.
He emphasized the South Korean government's preemptive steps to ease tensions since he took office last year, namely by halting anti-North Korea leaflet campaigns and loudspeaker broadcasts along the border.
He also reiterated that his administration does not seek unification through absorption or through a one-sided competition of systems.
“We have made it clear that we do not pursue absorption-based unification or unilateral system competition,” Lee said. “We will do everything possible to move beyond the armistice and build a sustainable peace regime.”
The speech came a day after North Korea's Foreign Ministry harshly criticized Lee, saying he had cast aside the "mask of peace” he had worn since taking office. The condemnation of North Korea came after a joint statement was issued at the South Korea-European Union summit on Wednesday.
President Lee Jae Myung delivers a speech during a special Mass for peace and solidarity at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on June 14.NEWS1
President Lee Jae Myung, right, greets Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik during a special Mass for peace and solidarity at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on June 14 during his official visit to the Vatican on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit.JOINT PRESS CORPS
The joint statement included a strong condemnation of illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which Pyongyang denounced as “a clear violation" of its sovereignty and "a serious hostile act.”
Without directly addressing North Korea's criticism, Lee reaffirmed his commitment to carrying forward the spirit of the June 15 Joint Declaration, which marks its 26th anniversary on June 15.
That declaration was an agreement signed between then-South Korean President Kim Dae-jung (1924-2009) and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (1942-2011) on June 15, 2000, during the first inter-Korean summit. It established a framework for peaceful reunification, family reunions and economic cooperation, including the inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex, which ceased operations in 2016.
President Lee Jae Myung delivers a speech during a special Mass for peace and solidarity at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on June 14.NEWS1
President Lee Jae Myung, right, takes his seat after greeting Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik following a commemorative speech during a special Mass for peace and solidarity at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on June 14.YONHAP
“The June 15 Joint Declaration was a historic turning point that demonstrated to the world the possibility of dialogue and cooperation beyond decades of hostility and tension,” Lee said. “It opened a new chapter of hope for peace on the Korean Peninsula through family reunions, humanitarian cooperation and expanded exchanges between the two Koreas.”
“I firmly believe that the spark of that hope remains alive today,” he added.
Lee said South Korea would continue to serve as a source of hope at a time when conflict and uncertainty are weighing heavily on the world.
“Drawing on the light of democracy, the dignity created by our vibrant culture and the possibilities opened by science, technology and innovation, we will contribute to building a world that is more peaceful, freer and one in which everyone can live with dignity,” Lee said.
Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik celebrates a special Mass for peace and solidarity at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on June 14 with President Lee Jae Myung and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung in attendance.JOINT PRESS CORPS
“We will fulfill our international responsibilities by bringing reconciliation where there is conflict, trust where there is distrust and solidarity where there is division, so that peace may become a shared legacy of humanity.”
The special Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, the first Korean appointed prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Clergy. In his homily, Cardinal You said the Korean Peninsula continues to live with the pain of division.
“Brothers and sisters remain separated,” the cardinal said. “What greater suffering could there be?”
“I sincerely hope that Korea will become a nation that bears witness to the world, together with its president, that dialogue can be more powerful than confrontation, reconciliation stronger than hatred and trust greater than fear, always with an open heart and a willingness to listen,” Cardinal You added.
President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung departed for Europe on June 9 for a 10-day trip, including his attendance at the Group of Seven summit in France.
BY OH HYUN-SEOK [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
