Dreaming of Peace On the Korean Peninsula!

Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young delivered opening remarks at the "1st 2026 Meeting of the Committee for the Development of Inter-Korean Relations," held on the morning of the 19th at the Government Complex in Seoul, and the remarks were reported in the Catholic Peace Weekly.

The government has outlined the direction for the development of inter-Korean relations over the next five years, anchored by the vision of "Peaceful Coexistence and Shared Growth on the Korean Peninsula." The "4th Basic Plan for the Development of Inter-Korean Relations"—originally formulated during the past administration—has been terminated. 

On the 19th, the Ministry of Unification convened the "1st 2026 Meeting of the Committee for the Development of Inter-Korean Relations," presided over by Minister Chung Dong-young, to deliberate on the "5th Basic Plan for the Development of Inter-Korean Relations."

The 5th Basic Plan encompasses three major objectives: "Institutionalizing Peaceful Coexistence between the Two Koreas," "Building a Foundation for Shared Growth on the Korean Peninsula," and "Realizing a Korean Peninsula Free of War and Nuclear Weapons." Its three guiding principles are "Respect for the North Korean Regime," "No Pursuit of Unification by Absorption," and "No Engagement in Hostile Acts." 

To realize this vision, the government has established six key priority tasks: △re-establishing inter-Korean relations based on reconciliation and cooperation, and institutionalizing peaceful coexistence; △seeking a resolution to the North Korean nuclear issue and advancing a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula; △promoting mutually beneficial inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation that resonate with the public; △alleviating the suffering caused by national division and resolving humanitarian issues; △preparing for a future of a "peace economy" and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula; and △revitalizing public engagement and international cooperation to build a consensus on peace and unification.

In his opening remarks, the Minister of Unification  stated, "Our goal is peaceful coexistence itself," adding, "The notion of using peaceful coexistence as a mere means to manipulate or gain leverage over the other party does not exist within our policy framework."

He further remarked, "The Lee Jae-myung administration's policy and stance on peaceful coexistence serve as a safety mechanism, preventing the kind of wartime instability currently seen in the Middle East from spilling over onto the Korean Peninsula."

The 5th Basic Plan—the first such plan formulated under the Lee Jae-myung administration—will be in effect from this year through 2030. The "4th Basic Plan" (2023–2027), established under the previous administration, was terminated ahead of schedule.

An official from the Ministry of Unification explained, "Following the 4th Basic Plan, the government's overall direction regarding Korean Peninsula policy underwent a complete transformation." The official added, "Since the fundamental purpose of a basic plan is to guide various government ministries in implementing Korean Peninsula policies, it became necessary to formulate a new basic plan ahead of schedule to ensure both its intended purpose and practical effectiveness."

Based on the *Act on Development of Inter-Korean Relations*, the government formulates a "Basic Plan"—which serves as a comprehensive, government-wide policy framework toward North Korea—every five years.

The Basic Plan deliberated upon today will be finalized following Cabinet review. It will subsequently be reported to the National Assembly and officially released to the public through publication in the *Government Gazette*. Based on this Basic Plan, the government will formulate annual implementation plans.

The Book of Exodus: The Old Testament Gospel!

The Book of Exodus is often called the "Gospel of the Old Testament" because it brings the good news that laid the foundation of faith for the Israelites. Exodus shows the Israelites' birth. A professor emeritus from the Inchon Diocese, in Biblical Exegesis, helps us understand the connection between Exodus, Lent, and our Christian experience.

In Genesis, the Lord God establishes a relationship with Noah and subsequently forms personal relationships with Abraham and Jacob. In contrast, Exodus primarily depicts God choosing the Israelite people and continuing His relationship with them.

Viewed this way, Exodus is the book that gives birth to the chosen people of Israel. Of course, Exodus is inseparable from both the preceding Genesis and the subsequent Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Hence, these five books are called the Pentateuch.

In Judaism, the Exodus from Egypt and the experiences tied to it became the foundation of the Israelite faith. The Passover festival, celebrated annually in Jewish homes, commemorates and reenacts the Exodus from Egypt. Christianity also connects the Exodus from Egypt to the Passover liturgy. We see Jesus' death and resurrection as the fulfillment of Israel's Exodus from Egypt. The Book of Revelation depicts the suffering Jesus Christ as the sacrificial lamb in the Passover celebration, the commemoration of the Exodus. The Lamb that had been slain...

If we were to name two events in Israel's history that had an absolute impact on the Israelites' identity and self-awareness as the Lord's people, they would be the Exodus from Egypt and the Babylonian Exile.

Israel gradually came to teach and accept the Exodus from Egypt as an event personally orchestrated by the Lord God through Moses. "In days to come, when your children ask... You shall say to them: 'The Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, with a mighty hand. Because Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed every firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of man to the firstborn of beast.'" (Exodus 13:14-15)

The Exodus from Egypt gradually became the confession of faith for the people of Judah. "You shall say to the Lord your God: 'Our ancestors were wandering Arameans... The Lord... brought us out of Egypt with great terror, signs, and wonders... and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.'" (Deuteronomy 26:5-9)

The Book of Exodus recounts the liberation and salvation of the Israelites, who groaned under oppression in Egypt. The God revealed in Exodus is the One who rescues those suffering under oppression. Moreover, the goal of the Exodus from Egypt is to free them from oppression and "lead them to worship the Lord their God freely." Moses delivers the Lord's message to Pharaoh: "Let my people go, so that they may worship me." 

Thus, the Book of Exodus gives birth to the covenant people of Israel and lays the foundation for the later formation of the Christian community.

Luddite Movement in England

The Jesuit Director of the Research Center for Human Rights and Solidarity in the View from the Ark column of the Catholic Weekly gives us some historical background on the Luddite Movement in England. 

In the winter of 1813, in York, England, fourteen workers ascended the gallows on charges of rebellion. It was a time when rapid technological innovation in the textile industry was, paradoxically, instantly shattering the lives of the workers. Skilled craftsmanship went unrespected, wages plummeted, and livelihoods hung in the balance. Under such conditions, the spread of radical labor movements was inevitable.

The "Luddite movement"—known for its destructive resistance involving the smashing of machinery—was one such movement. Although often portrayed as a rebellion of ignorant mobs, historian E. P. Thompson offered a fresh interpretation in his seminal work, *The Making of the English Working Class*. It was not merely an expression of hatred toward technology. Rather, it was a "moral resistance" against an emerging order—an order that destroyed the long-established equilibrium of their lives and their power to define their own existence, thereby rendering their livelihoods and dignity utterly valueless.

Two hundred years later, the workplace has shifted from textile looms to semiconductor cleanrooms and data centers. In an era abuzz with claims that artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms will determine the fate of the future, Korean society has placed AI and semiconductors at the very core of its national strategy, pouring vast resources into these sectors. Massive industrial complexes are springing up everywhere; ultra-high-voltage power lines crisscross the skies above rural communities; and the lights of data centers burn ceaselessly, day and night. It is a landscape where desire and tears fall side by side.

As efficiency and competitiveness have become paramount imperatives—and stocks and AI the very symbols of growth—issues of survival and protection—such as workers' safety and health, the vitality of local communities, environmental exploitation, and the excessive consumption of energy resources—have been cast aside. All manner of special laws and promotional policies have degenerated into a mechanism of a "De-risking State," wherein the public shoulders the risks of private enterprise, while the values ​​of life and ecology have vanished. (Kim Sang-hyun, "Labor and Ecology Trampled by the Semiconductor and AI Syndrome," *Changbi Weekly Commentary*)

Yet, if we are to envision a truly livable future, we cannot help but fundamentally question—from its very roots—a mode of growth in which excess and abuse are inevitable. Will a desire that seeks to devour everything truly enable us to live whole and fulfilled lives? Demanding social and ecological accountability is not a barrier that hinders progress; rather, it is the minimum prerequisite for humanizing that very progress.

In particular, labor is not merely a component of the production process. Labor is the means by which human beings leave their imprint upon the world; it is an act of collaboration in creation, and an event that builds community. A system that reduces labor solely to a cost factor is not only economically incomplete but also constitutes a theologically distorted order. As Pope Francis has stated, labor is a "pathway to dignity," an integral part of "the meaning of life on this earth," and a "pathway to growth, human development, and personal fulfillment." (*Laudato Si'*, §128) Labor is the conduit that "sets human beings in motion"—enabling them to live fully as human beings.

The gallows of the Luddites and the flickering lights of modern data centers are separated by the vast expanse of time. Yet, between them lies a shared question: For whom does labor exist? Whose lives are erased by the tides of technological change? To whom do the immense profits of capital flow? The reconstruction of social life is, at its very core, a call for "repentance." Repentance is the act of changing direction. It is a spiritual resolve to slow down, to re-establish our standards, and to reaffirm our purpose; it is the spiritual courage to restore labor and technology to their rightful place within the order of human relationships.

A transition toward an order in which human beings remain truly human, labor reveals its inherent dignity, and the created world is honored as a gift—such a transition is not achieved merely by placing one’s faith in grandiose strategic declarations. Rather, it begins in a quiet yet resolute place: in a mindset that accords greater respect to the space of the "Other" and curbs its own greed; and in that pivotal moment when our conscience refuses to remain silent any longer. Our choice is not the dawn of the machine, but the dawn of humanity. That dawn rises, at last, amidst a resolve for justice, steps taken in solidarity, and the courage to embrace transformation and repentance.

2027 World Youth Day (WYD)

The 2027 World Youth Day (WYD) in Seoul—a grand festival of faith for young people worldwide—is now just about 500 days away.

In step with this milestone, the pace of preparations within the Korean Church has also accelerated significantly.

"Please send your young people to Seoul."

From the 3rd through the 6th of this month, the Organizing Committee for the 2027 Seoul WYD visited the Holy See to officially extend an invitation to young people across the universal Church.

A dedicated website for the "Diocesan Days" is also being launched.

The Diocesan Days—an opportunity to fully experience the culture and hospitality of local churches through activities such as homestays—are consistently cited by past WYD participants as one of their most unforgettable experiences.

For the Seoul WYD, these Diocesan Days will be hosted by dioceses nationwide, except in Seoul, where the main event will take place.

The website, set to open next month, will serve as a central hub for communication, facilitating both the promotion of the Diocesan Days and the registration process for participants.

In parallel, individual dioceses are holding their own organizing committee inauguration ceremonies and are in full swing with preparations to welcome young people from around the globe.

As the Korean Church steps up its bustling preparations, the global Church—eagerly awaiting the WYD—is offering its wholehearted support.

Last December, as part of the journey toward the Seoul WYD, Catholic Peace Broadcasting Corporation launched a special series titled *Visiting Past Host Cities*—a joint project with the Organizing Committee designed to revisit previous WYD venues and highlight the lasting fruits of those events.

These "senior churches"—those that have already experienced hosting a WYD—unanimously affirmed: "The World Youth Day is, in itself, a journey of grace and a pivotal opportunity for the New Evangelization." 

"While there may be a temptation to plan entertainment-focused events simply because young people enjoy festivals, we need to remember this fact: young people possess a deep thirst and longing—not merely for festivities, but, above all, to encounter the Lord."

"Stop the War"

Catholic Church… “Stop the War” 

“War is the easiest path… We must choose the difficult path of ‘peace’”

 With the U.S. and Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, there is a growing sense that the war is spreading across the Middle East.

The Catholic Church, led by Pope Leo XIV, is raising its voice against war and calling for peace.

 During the Angelus prayer on the 8th, Pope Leo XIV once again called for an end to the war in the Middle East and warned against the escalation of the conflict.

The Pope urged, “Let us pray that the sound of cannons may cease, weapons may fall silent, and a forum for dialogue may open where the voices of all peoples can be heard.”

Statements from the Catholic Church opposing war and calling for peace in the Middle East are also coming in one after another.

The Catholic Church’s call for parties to lay down their arms and come to the negotiating table is growing louder.

The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) stated in a declaration on the 3rd, “Only sincere, responsible, and sustained dialogue can open the way to a just and lasting peace.”

It urged “all parties to fulfill their moral responsibilities, reject the vicious cycle of escalation leading to deeper suffering and irreversible loss, and immediately cease hostilities.”

Furthermore, it emphasized interfaith solidarity, stating, “Diplomacy must be restored as the primary means of resolving conflicts, and no matter how difficult it may be, dialogue is the only path that respects the dignity of peoples and the sovereignty of nations.”

The Asia-Pacific member organizations of the International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs (ICMICA) also issued a statement on the 2nd, declaring, “We strongly condemn the military actions of the United States and Israel.” 

They emphasized, “Sustainable security can only be achieved through negotiations in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, not through military escalation.”

The Secretary General of the Bishops’ Conference’s Justice and Peace Commission said, “Peace is difficult, but we must take the difficult path to enjoy peace.”

“The easiest way to achieve peace is actually to wage war. It’s paradoxical, but the hardest part of achieving peace is dialogue, compromise, communication, concession, and sacrifice. While it takes a long time to achieve, once it is achieved, we can enjoy peace for a very long time.” 

Forced Repatriation of North Korean Residents

 

Amnesty International Korea Holds Press Conference on March 12... Delivers Petition Containing Over 2,700 Signatures to the Chinese Embassy in Korea. This article appeared in the Korean Catholic Times.

The press conference was attended by religious figures and human rights activists. Together, they denounced the inhumane nature of the forced repatriation of North Korean residents.

Notably, the son of a woman currently detained in a Chinese facility and facing the imminent threat of forced repatriation, attended the press conference alongside his representative. They made an earnest appeal to the South Korean government, the religious community, and civil society to intervene and prevent the forced repatriation.

The son stated, "My mother, who is currently in China, endured immense hardships to ensure I could make it to Korea; however, now..." "She is currently detained in a Chinese detention center, in a situation where she cannot send or receive any communication," he said, choking back tears. "It breaks my heart to think of my mother suffering in such cold conditions. If she is forcibly repatriated to North Korea, she will be sent to a political prison camp, making it nearly impossible for her to survive. I want to protect her with the help of many people."

If North Korean residents who have escaped their country and are currently staying in China are forcibly repatriated, they face severe human rights violations, including torture, forced labor, deliberate starvation, and enforced disappearance. Amnesty International has pointed out that the Chinese government’s forcible repatriation of North Korean residents constitutes a violation of the "principle of non-refoulement"—a peremptory norm of international law. Officials from Amnesty International, along with others, delivered a petition containing the signatures of approximately 2,700 citizens opposed to the forcible repatriation of North Koreans to the Chinese Embassy in South Korea.

"The forcible repatriation of North Koreans must be approached from a humanitarian perspective—one that recognizes the pain of families being torn apart, and insists that such suffering must not be repeated a second or third time—rather than merely as a matter of political opinion or human rights issues."

Fasting By Necessity

 

A Prison Without Bars - In the Wilderness. A review of a life by a now emeritus professor of a Korean University.

Compared to the past, today's international students begin their studies in relatively stable circumstances. However, even 40 years ago, studying abroad was a journey fraught with survival itself.

My journey abroad with my pregnant wife was arduous from the start. There was no income, only expenses. My wife, who had been keeping a household account book, one day said, "I don't want to spend anymore." Faced with the reality that she had less than $100 left, keeping a record of our expenses became not a source of comfort, but despair. I was at a loss for words as my wife wept, asking what she should eat.

Then, a verse from the Bible suddenly came to mind: “If God feeds the birds of the air, how much more precious will he be to his children?” (Matthew 6:26). Those words didn’t erase all my worries. But they gave me something to hold on to. In fact, those words were more of a pledge to myself than to my wife.

My wife later called those days “a prison without bars.” We had no money, so we couldn’t go anywhere, and my husband was always busy with his studies. My wife spent each day at home, caring for our children, filled with anxiety. My body was free, but my mind was always imprisoned. It felt as if invisible bars were surrounding our lives.

On Sundays, I would take someone else’s car and drive down the highway to the Sacramento Korean Catholic Church, about 40 minutes away. Celebrating Mass, sharing meals, and chatting with fellow Koreans provided the only solace I had throughout the week. That encounter felt as desperate as someone waiting for a visitation in a detention center. For a moment, I felt reconnected with the world.

Looking back, my time studying abroad was like a wilderness. In the wilderness, food is scarce, and there's no proper place to rest or sleep. There, humans become the most vulnerable. As their dependence diminishes, they have no choice but to cling to God. The wilderness is where human inadequacy is most starkly revealed, and at the same time, it's where faith becomes most purified.

In the Bible, the wilderness is always a place of prayer. Moses wandered in the wilderness and sought God, and Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days in the wilderness. Fasting was not a choice, but a way of life created by an environment that forced us to let go of our greed. The wilderness is not a place to satisfy human desires, but a place to empty them.

The fasting of Lent follows the same pattern. We often understand fasting solely as a practice of self-restraint or sharing. However, its true meaning lies deeper than that. Fasting is a passageway for emptying ourselves and approaching the Lord fully. For believers, fasting is the body's way of confessing, "Lord, I cannot live alone."

Prayer offered from a place of surrender is different. There are no calculations or conditions. We simply entrust ourselves to the Lord and cling to Him. Lenten fasting is not a discipline meant to forcefully torment us, but a path of grace that leads us into the wilderness. It is a time to step back from a life lived solely for ourselves and return to a place where we can hear the Lord's word. My time as a student abroad, a time like the wilderness of my past, still teaches me anew the meaning of fasting.