**Religious Leaders Emphasize ‘Harmony Over Conflict’ in 2026 New Year Messages**
As the new year of 2026 approaches, major religious leaders in South Korea have urged overcoming conflicts and striving for harmony and peace in their New Year messages. Acknowledging the intensification of division and conflict within society over the past year, these leaders stressed the religious mission to heal and unite.
Venerable Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, expressed, “The year of Byeongo signals a year endowed with fiery energy. Let’s lay down the flames of anger that consume each other and instead ignite the flames of wisdom and compassion to warm each other’s hearts.” He highlighted the importance of taking a moment to pause and reflect rather than criticize one another, pledging to be a source of comfort to the people and to support the socially disadvantaged and isolated neighbors.
Archbishop Jeong Sun-taek of the Seoul Archdiocese noted, “In the past year, we demonstrated a mature democracy that impressed the world. We pray for the new government to pursue sustainable development and harmonious society,” while emphasizing that love and peace would make Christ’s salvation evident in daily life.
The Korean Church Council, a major Protestant organization, addressed the growing domestic and international divides, stating that the church must fulfill its holy mission to spread the gospel and bring reconciliation. They suggested that when the Korean church promotes peace in conflicts with humility and love, it will become a holy community reflective of God’s glory.
Earlier, the National Council of Churches in Korea stressed overcoming the discord of division and conflict for a genuine era of peace and harmony, urging the church to overcome self-centeredness and reunite in Christ as a hope-giving community.
Lastly, the Won Buddhist leader, Venerable Wonsan Seongdojong, encouraged the creation of a ‘graciously equal society’ and emphasized ‘public spirit’ as a means to achieve this. “Caring for neighbors and practicing sharing are foundational for an equal society, and when ‘sharing and cooperation’ become part of daily life, social equality will also become a norm,” he stated.