South Korea’s government, parliament, and Catholic Church have signed a joint declaration pledging nationwide support for World Youth Day 2027, including measures on security, immigration, transportation, legislation, and funding.
Representatives of the National Assembly, the government, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea’s diocesan WYD preparatory committee, and the Seoul WYD organizing committee signed the declaration Oct. 31 at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Seoul.
The agreement formalized a national cooperation framework for the gathering and committed the institutions to work together on preparations for the international event.
Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul, chairman of the organizing committee, said government support would be essential because of the scale of the gathering.
“Since World Youth Day is a major international event that will bring hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world, along with high-level dignitaries and diplomatic delegations from various countries, comprehensive national support is essential, including safety measures, immigration and transportation, and legislative and budgetary support,” Chung said.
He said the declaration showed that parliament, the government and the organizing committee had agreed to work together beyond party lines.
“The bipartisan cooperation shown by the National Assembly and the government will give our young people the clearest confidence that society firmly supports them,” Chung said.
He described the agreement as “the starting point of a historic promise that the National Assembly, the government and the World Youth Day organizing committee will stay together until the end so that, in 2027, Seoul can become a holy place of peace and hope for young people around the world.”
The declaration includes five commitments: establishing a government-wide support system for the safe and smooth conduct of the event; providing legislative and budgetary support; welcoming young people from around the world and promoting South Korea’s values of peace and harmony; strengthening cooperation with local governments, civil society and religious communities; and using the gathering to promote the country’s international image, regional economies and youth exchanges.
Chung also said the event could show young people “a safe, warm and peace-loving country” and provide an opportunity for those facing competition, uncertainty, conflict and loneliness to share their concerns and rediscover fundamental human values.
Leaders of South Korea’s two major political parties also pledged support.
Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, “We will join forces so that this can become an event not only for Catholics, but for the Republic of Korea and, further, for young people around the world.”
Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, said, “I hope this will be a precious occasion for young people around the world to overcome difficult times together and open a hopeful future.”
“We will make thorough preparations for the event and do our utmost to help ensure its successful hosting,” Jang said.
Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young said the government was giving special attention to the gathering because it would be open beyond the Catholic community.
“Next year’s Seoul World Youth Day is an open festival in which not only Catholics but all young people around the world can participate, so the government is also paying special attention,” Choi said.
He said government ministries and related agencies would work together so participants could experience Korean culture and leave with good memories.
The preparations will extend beyond Seoul.
Archbishop Kim Jong-gang, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea’s WYD diocesan preparatory committee, said international pilgrims are expected to visit 15 dioceses beginning July 29, 2027, before traveling to Seoul.
They are expected to spend five days with local families and visit markets, neighborhoods and cultural heritage sites.
“The Republic of Korea that the world’s young people first encounter is not only Seoul, but Chuncheon, Gwangju and Jeju,” Kim said.
He said commitments on safety and hospitality must be carried out in communities across the country.
“The declaration is made here today, but the promise will be kept on roads across the country,” Kim said.
Bishop Lee Kyung-sang, general coordinator of the Seoul WYD organizing committee, said the declaration showed the gathering was intended to go beyond its religious character.
“This joint declaration is meaningful in that it goes beyond a religious event to seek and share the fundamental values of humanity together and to help young people open the future,” Lee said.
Eleven representatives of parliament, the government, the diocesan preparatory committee and the organizing committee signed the declaration.
The Seoul WYD organizing committee said it would continue working with parliament, the government, dioceses across the country and other sectors of society in preparation for World Youth Day 2027.
