CARDINAL KIM SUPPORTS INITIATIVE FOR SUMMIT ON KOREA'S UNIFICATION
"Each Step Must Have the Entire Nation's Support"
SEOUL, APR 11 (ZENIT.org).- Although the news of a future summit in
Pyongyang between North and South Korea was welcome, it has caused fear
among some South Koreans. A few days ago, a music festival of the two
Koreas, which had been planned for months, was cancelled by the North
Korean authorities at the last minute. It was these very authorities who
had requested the funds for the festival in the first place.
In commenting on the news to the Vatican agency "Fides," Cardinal
Stephen Kim, 78, said: "We welcome the summit. The Catholic Church has
always worked for the reconciliation of our people." Cardinal Kim who,
in keeping with Canon Law resigned at the age of 75, is presently
Archbishop Emeritus of Seoul. He follows all developments in his country
with great interest.
In spite of all the changes, not everyone in South Korea is happy. "Some
members of the opposition are skeptical about this sudden announcement,
given just a few weeks before the parliamentary elections. They say it
is an electoral gimmick by the party in government," the Cardinal
commented.
"In principle we work and hope for the success of the June summit. It
must be said that the reunification will only be possible if it is done
peacefully, without war or revolution. If the summit is to be
successful, it must be preceded by reconciliation and cooperation. But,
above all, it must have the consent of the entire nation, our people of
the North and those of the South," the Cardinal explained.
Cardinal Kim, who was Archbishop of Seoul for 30 years, was also
Apostolic Administrator in Pyongyang, the northern capital, although he
has never been allowed to visit the other Korea. "I hope to do so before
I die," he confided to "Fides."
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