WCC News: WCC general secretary visits Korea, meets President Lee Jae-myung

On 11 August, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay; Peter Prove, director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs; and Rev. Dr Hyojin Kim, coordinator for the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity; together with the leadership of the National Council of Churches in Korea, paid a courtesy visit to H.E. President Lee Jae-myung of the Republic of Korea. World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay paid a courtesy visit to H.E. President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae-myung. Photo: Yonhap News/Presidential Telecommunication Photo Journalist Group 12 August 2025 President Lee expressed his deep appreciation for the WCC’s contributions to defending the Constitution and advancing democracy and affirmed his hope that the WCC’s work for peace and solidarity across the world will continue, and that the WCC will also accompany them in improving relations between the two Koreas. He underscored the importance of remembering the history of solidarity and the sacrifices made in defending democracy and expressed the hope that Christians from North and South Korea would continue to meet in the spirit of people-to-people solidarity. He prayed that just as Korea will be remembered as a nation that has blossomed into a vibrant democracy, so too will genuine peace blossom on the Korean Peninsula. The WCC general secretary congratulated President Lee on his election and expressed that the people of South Korea have great hope and expectations from his leadership, noting that they have placed great trust in his leadership for safeguarding democracy and pursuing the hope of eventual reunification.  Pillay conveyed deep respect for the maturity and advancement of Korean democracy achieved through the active participation of its citizens, affirming that the WCC has stood in solidarity and prayer for the defence of the Constitution and the promotion of democracy. He acknowledged appreciation for the president’s recognition of the WCC support and solidarity with the people and churches in South Korea.  Prove recalled the historic path of ecumenical engagement that has fostered encounters between Christians from North and South Korea, from the 1985 Tozanso Process to the 1986 Glion Consultation, to the designation of the “Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula” at the 10th WCC Assembly in Busan in 2013. He also highlighted the role of the Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification, and Development on the Korean Peninsula in sustaining regular encounters between the National Council of Churches in Korea and the Korean Christian Federation in the North, emphasizing that this ecumenical journey for peace continues today. Pillay expressed a desire to renew the WCC dialogue with the Korean Christian Federation in North Korea, stating he would explore the possibility of a visit to North Korea at the earliest opportunity. He expressed his appreciation of working with the National Council of Churches in Korea over the past decades, stating that the WCC was pleased to journey with the people of South Korea in their quest for democracy and reunification of the Korean Peninsula. He said that the task for the latter is far from over and that the WCC will remain in conversation and support to both South and North Korea to foster and encourage dialogues for peace, reconciliation and eventual reunification of the peninsula.  The National Council of Churches in Korea delegation included general secretary Rev. Kim Jong Seng; moderator His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosios (Cho Sung-am); and vice moderators Rev. Kim Young-geol (Presbyterian Church of Korea), Rev. Park Sang-kyu (Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea), and Most Rev. Park Dong-shin Onesimus (Anglican Church of Korea). The National Council of Churches in Korea recalled its history of democratization and peacebuilding in solidarity with the global ecumenical community in the 1970s and 1980s, reaffirming its commitment to the day when Christians from North and South - confessing together Jesus Christ as Lord - can meet again in unity. The council pledged to continue praying with the global ecumenical communities for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula and expressed deep gratitude to President Lee and WCC general secretary Pillay for engaging in this meaningful dialogue. Pillay said, “The meeting with President Lee was very encouraging and strengthened a greater desire and resolve to work towards reconciliation and peace, not only within the Korean context but in the world at large. The positive view and commitment from the president for dialogues with the North open great possibilities and hope for all Koreans.”  Photo gallery: WCC general secretary visit to the President Global Prayer for Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula draws solidarity (WCC news release, 11 August 2025) Images of solidarity with churches, communities on Korean Peninsula (WCC feature story, 12 August 2025) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland