THE KUKMIN DAILY

It has been confirmed that North Korea proposed to delegates from the South’s seven major religions, a “South-North Religious Figures Gathering” to be held in Pyongyang within this year. It is said that this South-North religious gathering is very likely to adopt a joint statement with contents in support of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration and the September Pyongyang Joint Declaration. A joint declaration issued by the religions of North and South would probably give impetus to the proposed North Korea visit of Pope Francis.

Jeong In-seong, who chairs the committee for South-North exchanges at the Korea Conference of Religions for Peace (KCRP), said on the 16th, “On the occasion of our participation in the event commemorating the 11th anniversary of the October 4 Declaration, the (North) Korean Council of Religionists proposed that representatives of the seven major religions visit Pyongyang together this year… Working-level discussions are now under way among these religions.” The seven are: Protestant, Buddhist, Won Buddhist, Confucian, Cheondogyo, Catholic, and the Association of Korean Native Religions.

In religious circles it is anticipated that the Pyongyang visit by the seven religions’ delegates will be realized next month. Inasmuch as North Korea concretely suggested a visit “within this year,” the schedule is likely to be confirmed in the near future, upon the conclusion of working-level talks.

It appears that if the gathering takes place, the religions will jointly announce a declaration supporting the Panmunjom Declaration and the Pyongyang Joint Declaration. “Already South and North religious circles are on the same wavelength, supporting the two summit declarations,” a core religious leader said. “There is a high possibility that a joint declaration with such contents will be adopted.” Delegates from the seven religions have visited the North twice, in 2011 and 2015, and on both occasions a joint declaration was issued, with prayers for peace on the Korean peninsula.

*Photo: (From left:) Rev. Eom Gi-ho, Rev. Lee Young-hoon (Yoido Full Gospel Church), and National Assembly Representatives Kim Tae-nyeon and Park Jeong (Democratic Party of Korea) visit Mansudae Art Studio on October 5, during their visit to the North for the commemorative event on the 11th anniversary of the October 4 Declaration.

Reporter Kim Pan (pan@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Photo by Pyongyang Joint Photojournalists Corps.

Original Article in Korean:
북 “7대 종단 대표 연내 초청” 종교계 공동선언 나올 듯: 다음 달 평양 방문 전망, 교황 방북에도 탄력