**1st Win-Win Cooperation Roundtable Meeting… ‘Life Respect and Suicide Prevention Agreement’ Signed**
**Religious Community Responds with “Importance of Life Respect, Active Cooperation”… Regular Discussions on Social Issues in the Future**
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Lee Sang-hyun reports that the government and religious bodies are joining hands to solve various issues in Korean society, including the high suicide rate.
On the morning of the 24th, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok held the 1st government-religious community win-win cooperation roundtable meeting with leaders from religious organizations at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Seoul, where they signed the “Life Respect and Suicide Prevention Agreement.”
The event was attended by Kim Jong-hyuk, representative chairman of the Korean Church Council, Lee Yong-hoon, chairman of the Korean Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Na Sang-ho, Won-Buddhism Dean, and Seong-ung, the chief administrative monk of Jogye Order.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Kim stated, “Suicide is not an individual’s problem but a structural issue that our society as a whole must solve together. Not only is the effort of the government essential, but also that of the community, wherein I believe the role of the religious community is truly great.”
He continued, “It is the religious individuals who can first reach out to those facing moments of despair. I hope this agreement goes beyond a declaration to become a practical path to saving lives, thereby reducing the suicide rate and offering a helping hand of hope to each citizen.”
Prime Minister Kim further emphasized, “This agreement ceremony is a significant occasion where the government and religious community are building a regular and continuous cooperation framework on major social issues. The government will communicate and discuss to prepare a sustainable consultative body.”
Religious leaders expressed their strong intention to cooperate actively in suicide prevention efforts in their subsequent remarks. Kim Jong-hyuk Pastor stated, “Protecting and preserving life is a core topic that the government should strive for, and we will do our utmost to cooperate actively on such issues.”
Bishop Lee Yong-hoon also remarked, “I hope that through this agreement, our country emerges as a spiritually, morally, and ethically healthy society, and the Catholic Church will actively participate in the movement.”
Dean Na Sang-ho declared, “Life respect is the most important path,” asserting that the role of religion is akin to that of a nurturing mother.
Seong-ung Monk also pledged, “Our order will take responsibility and strive in the prevention of suicides.”
The government plans to create regular discussion opportunities with the religious community on diverse social issues, starting with this first topic of ‘suicide prevention.’