The Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Lee Jae-myung, visited Oog Village in Jangsu County, North Jeolla Province, on the 6th, as part of the “Alley to Alley Listening Tour: National Tour Edition.” He met with the country’s youngest village chief, Jeong Min-su, and senior residents for a discussion. Yonhap News
As the procedure to elect a new pope, known as the “Conclave,” began, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, stated on the 7th, “I pray that once again, the church will guide the world’s crises towards peace and hope.”
On the 7th, candidate Lee expressed on his Facebook page that “the remarkable democratic spirit and resilience our people are demonstrating against insurrection are sending a significant message to a world seized by extreme politics. Additionally, the reconciliation and peace between South and North Korea, the only divided country in the world, will provide great insight into global conflict and division. I hope the message of hope from Korea will resonate globally through this Conclave.”
He continued, “Following the passing of Pope Francis, 1.4 billion global Catholics and people around the world are awaiting a new spiritual leader,” adding that, in a world of ongoing wars, poverty, opposition, and conflict, everyone earnestly wishes for a leader who will bring words of peace and love.
He also mentioned, “The hearts of the Korean people who are waiting for a new pope are more special than anyone else’s. In 1825, Augustine Yu Jin-gil sent a letter directly to the Catholic Church in Beijing, a very risky action at the time, requesting the dispatch of priests for the Korean church.”
He emphasized, “Korea adopted Catholicism voluntarily and practiced the faith actively, as the equality embodied in Catholicism provided great strength to many people. Throughout our turbulent history, Catholicism has consistently been a shield for democracy, freedom, and justice, just like Pope Francis, who longed for peace and unification of the two Koreas until the very end.”
Candidate Lee noted that Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, the first Korean appointed as a minister in the Vatican, is also participating in the Conclave, stating this was the reason why many in our nation are paying close attention and interest to this Conclave.
Meanwhile, a record number of 133 cardinals (only those under the age of 80 can attend) are participating in this Conclave.