President Lee Jae-myung met with Cardinal Yoo Hyung-sik, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, who is visiting South Korea, for about 40 minutes starting at 2 p.m. on the 7th.

President Lee Jae-myung expressed his delight over the active exchanges between South Korea and the Holy See since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1963, and expressed his hope to further strengthen the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two sides. He also expressed his expectation for the role of Cardinal Yu, who is the first Korean to hold the position of Secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy at the Holy See.

He also expressed his eagerness to meet Pope Leo XIV. In response, Cardinal Yoo congratulated President Lee on his inauguration, stating that the Pope also wishes to maintain close ties with Korea and the new Korean government. He added that he hopes to continue fostering communication and cooperation between the two countries through various opportunities in the future.

President Lee expressed his hope that the 2027 Seoul Catholic World Youth Day, which is expected to attract up to 1 million participants, will serve as a valuable opportunity to foster a shared understanding among young people worldwide regarding peace on the Korean Peninsula, and to allow them to experience Korean culture firsthand and feel a greater affinity for Korea. He pledged active support for the successful hosting of the event. In response, Cardinal Yu expressed his gratitude and assured that the Holy See would also spare no effort in showing interest and support.

In addition, President Lee expressed his gratitude for the Holy See's special interest and role in the peace on the Korean Peninsula, saying that the new administration is also working to improve inter-Korean relations and open the door to dialogue through measures to ease tensions and build trust, and that he looks forward to the Holy See's continued support and assistance. Cardinal Yu said that he himself is very interested in inter-Korean exchanges and expects Pope Leo XIV to play an important role in inter-Korean relations, calling for close cooperation.

[News source: Policy Briefing]