(ANS – Seoul) – ‘The Church in North Korea is in my heart’ is a new initiative launched by the Seoul Archidiocese that involves all parishes in praying during the whole Year of Mercy for the Catholic Faithful in North Korea.

2015 marks already 70 years of division of Korea into two parts. This prayer campaign initiative was launched during the November 24 Eucharist in the Cathedral of Myeongdong. Seoul Cardinal Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung during his homily underlined: ‘As the archbishop of Seoul and apostolic administrator of Pyeongyang, I never forgot the Catholic Church in the North with all our brothers and sisters in faith in my prayers. The Korean peninsula is among those regions in the world that most need the Mercy of God. All Catholics are invited to offer daily the ‘Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation’.

Since last February 2011 Fr Paul Na Myong Ok, SDB was at the service of Catholic Bishops Conference of Korea in the Committee for National Reconciliation – ministering to the North Korean refugees in Seoul. From this year Fr Paul Na became a Coordinator of the newly erected Committee for National Reconciliation and Peace of the Korean Male Religious Superiors Association.

Among his main duties are the weekly Sunday visits to the National Agency facility. All newly arrived North Korean refugees (via Thailand, Laos or China) spend three months after their arrival in the South in this government investigation centre. In the government designed programme there is also a space for introducing the main religions. Sunday Catholic programmes are run together with two religious sisters, brothers and lay volunteers.

After three months the North Korean refugees are transferred to one of the two ‘Hanawon’ government facilities for another 3 month programme that facilitates their smooth entering into the South Korean social life – through different education programmes and professional skills courses. All refugees can also choose between Buddhist, Protestant or Catholic religious programmes – prayer services and group or personal dialogue.

Fr. Paul is also involved in providing necessary assistance during the first months of independent life of the refugees. They receive their own apartment from the government, but are facing the challenges of culture shock. Many religious congregations open group home facilities for the young people from North Korea who arrive without their parents (e.g. Dream-house of the FMA sisters in Seoul).

Fr. Paul shares his inner conviction: “We don’t’ know, when the time of Korean reconciliation and unification will come, but these Northern refugees with their personal experience on both sides of the actual border are a very important link and catalyst in mutual understanding of the Korean people. If they settle well with a positive life experience they might exercise a wonderful bridge role between the two parts of the divided nation in the future.”

"Although there is no fast end of the division ahead of us, as South Korean religious we try to contribute our best to this ministry. We would appreciate also some preparation and support from the Superiors’ side.”

Published 16/12/2015