Religious leaders visit North Korea

September 23, 2011

Religious leaders, including Catholic leaders, from democratic South Korea are visiting Communist North Korea, one of the world’s most repressive nations.

“The visit of a delegation of religious leaders in North Korea is a gesture to keep an open channel with the North,” says Bishop Peter Kang of Cheju, president of the bishops’ conference. “But we need to be realistic, and not have any great illusions. Religions will continue to bring humanitarian aid to the population of the North who suffer from hunger, and this is the interest of Pyongyang. Believers in the North are closely monitored and religious freedom is denied.”

 

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Further information:

• Religious leaders in the North to "maintain an open channel", but "religious freedom is denied" (Fides)
• Tentative steps for religious leaders in visit to North Korea (Vatican Radio)