Archbishop Chung Soon-taick of Seoul called on South Korean lawmakers to set aside political divisions and support the 2027 World Youth Day as a national gathering that could promote dialogue, peace, and social unity.
The prelate made the appeal Sept. 10 during a Mass with Catholic lawmakers at the National Assembly, where he urged members of opposing political camps to preserve space for dialogue despite their differences.
“Beyond differences in political parties, and beyond differences and conflicts over policies, we are one in the Eucharist,” Chung said in his homily.
“I hope this communion will give us the strength to understand, even a little, the heavy burdens carried by one another,” he said.
About 20 of the 59 members of the Catholic Members’ Association of the National Assembly attended the Mass at the legislature’s chapel.
Chung urged lawmakers to continue engaging with one another despite political disagreements.
“It takes no small amount of courage to sit down again with someone whose views are very different from ours, and to leave room for dialogue even after hearing harsh words,” he said.
World Youth Day is scheduled to take place in Seoul from Aug. 3 to 8, 2027.
“Hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world, with different cultures and languages, will come, and welcoming these young people will be an opportunity to bring hope to Korean society as a whole and to the Church, and to become witnesses to the peace of living together,” Chung said.
He also asked lawmakers to support preparations for the gathering from their respective positions.
“If you, as lawmakers, also bring together your interest and cooperation in your respective positions, this encounter in welcoming young people from around the world will become an even more meaningful and significant occasion,” he said.
At a breakfast after the Mass, Chung broadened his appeal beyond Catholics and political parties.
“If all our people take part in the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day, regardless of whether they belong to the ruling or opposition parties and regardless of religion, it will be, above all, an invaluable and precious opportunity to present a positive image of our country to the entire world,” he said.
Chung compared the gathering with the 1988 Seoul Olympics, which he described as a turning point when South Korea began its transition from a middle-income country to an advanced nation.
“Our country, which has already joined the ranks of advanced nations, can now, through the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day, reach another turning point and stand tall as a country that leads global culture,” he said.
Lawmakers from both the ruling People Power Party and the opposition Democratic Party of Korea pledged support for the event.
Rep. Choi Hyung-doo of the People Power Party, president of the Catholic Members’ Association of the National Assembly, said hosting the gathering would be “a great blessing for the Republic of Korea.”
“We will join forces in the National Assembly and do our utmost for World Youth Day,” Choi said.
Rep. Na Kyung-won of the People Power Party, a co-chair of the National Assembly organizing group for the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day, said she hoped the event would give the public an opportunity to experience Catholic culture.
“I think we can do even better if the ruling and opposition parties join forces until next year’s WYD,” Na said.
Rep. Han Jeoung-ae of the Democratic Party of Korea, another co-chair of the organizing group, said less than a year remained before the gathering.
“I promise that the National Assembly will carefully carry out everything it needs to do,” Han said. “The ruling and opposition parties will work together and prepare well.”
