Religious Leaders from North and South Korea,
Praying to become the Seeds for Peace and Reunification

Representatives from the Korea Conference of Religions for Peace (KCRP), consisting of seven major religious organizations in Korea, departed for North Korea to attend the Inter-Korean Religious Meeting that took place at Mt. Geumgang from November 9-10, 2015 in North Korea.

This event was prepared by the South Korea’s KCRP and North Korean Religious Association (NKRA) together, with the hope of becoming a bridge for national peace and reunification by meeting and communicating regularly between the religious leaders of the two Koreas. Mt. Geumgang was chosen to be the venue as it is the symbolic place for inter-Korean reconciliation. At this event, there were 150 representatives from KCRP including Ven. Jaseung, the President of KCRP and the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and 50 from NKRA including Jiyoung Kang, the President of NKRA and the Chairman of the North Korean Catholic Association. 

On the day of arrival, after the welcome reception, they had a conference, climbed Mt. Geumgang and paid their respects at Singyesa Temple. On November 10, they held meetings according to their respective religions and discussed how to promote inter-Korean exchanges on private levels.  

Mr. Jiyoung Kang, President of NKRA, said “What matters the most is the practice of what was previously agreed upon in the July 4^th North-South Joint Statement, June 15^th Joint Declaration, and October 4^th Declaration. All the religious leaders should lead the way towards national reconciliation and unity, and for the peace and reunification of the Korean peninsula.”

Rev. Eunhyung Lee from South Korea stated, “The value that embraces all religions is peace. I hope we plant a seed of peace and reunification through this opportunity.” 

This event in 2015 was finally held four long years after the representatives from 11 different religions from North and South Korea had a meeting in Pyeongyang in September 2011.