SEOUL (UCAN) - South Korean President Thomas More Kim Dae-jung has appealed to Pope John Paul II to make a visit in the near future to North Korea.
The Holy Father's visit to communist North Korea for the sake of peace would benefit not only the Korean peninsula, but all Asia and the world, Kim reportedly said during his private audience with the pontiff March 4.
However, Pope John Paul told the South Korean president that currently he has no plan to visit North Korea.
Nevertheless, the pope said, "I take this opportunity to call upon the international community to continue to show generosity in helping relieve the suffering of the North Korean victims."
He also lauded Kim, a Catholic, for "his commitment in a practical way" by assisting many North Koreans who have been severely affected by natural calamities and poor harvests, and whose tragic plight is known to the world.
President Kim is the first Korean head of state to visit the Vatican. In 1989 he had an audience with the pope when he was an opposition party leader.
According to presidential spokesperson Park Joon-young, the pope's receiving Kim this year was exceptional as the Vatican had decided not to invite any head of state in the year 2000 due to the Jubilee celebrations.
Pope John Paul has visited South Korea twice, in 1984 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Korean Church, and in 1989 to attend the 44th International Eucharistic Congress.
At the audience, Kim told the pope that South Korean people were profoundly moved by the pope's particular interest in North Korean people and in praying for them.
The Holy See, which does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea, has sent about US$10 million worth of food and medicine to the country since 1996 as a sign of humanitarian solidarity of Catholics worldwide.
The pope expressed confidence that South Korean people will cherish their rich cultural and spiritual patrimony in order to find the wisdom and discipline of mind and heart needed to build a society worthy of Korea's ancient traditions.
He also expressed his good wishes for the president's efforts to promote social renewal and reconciliation among all members of the Korean family.
"Productivity and profit cannot be the sole measure of progress. Indeed, development is not authentic unless it benefits individuals and promotes the good of the family, the nation and the world community," the pope said.
He added that true development requires every man and woman to be seen as the subject of inalienable rights and freedoms. He also stressed that the social, cultural and religious dimensions of life need to be defended and promoted always and everywhere.
In reply, Kim stressed that the South Korean Catholic Church has played a crucial role in the country's pro-democracy struggle and in promoting human rights under the past authoritarian regimes.
After the audience with Pope John Paul, Kim paid tribute to various late popes including Pope John XXIII.
President Kim left Seoul March 2 for his 10-day tour of Italy, the Vatican, France and Germany.
South Korea has 3.8 million Catholics among its 47 million population and counts 103 canonized saints.
UCAN 8. mars 2000