Seoul archbishop calls for prayers as North Korea cuts communication routes to South Korea

The archbishop of Seoul expressed concern over North Korea’s decision to cut off road and rail access to South Korea with the aim of “completely separating” the two countries.

In an interview with Fides News Agency, Archbishop Peter Soon-Taick Chung said that “the desire for reunification is diminishing” and “hope is fading” due to the recent blockade.

The North Korean army is now proceeding to “permanently isolate and block the southern border” as a self-defence measure to prevent war.

“Tensions between the two parts of Korea have reached their highest levels in recent years,” said the prelate.

Archbishop Chung also serves as the apostolic administrator of Pyongyang, since North Korea does not have a Catholic bishop residing within its territory.

The prelate said that the Church continues its efforts towards communion and peace through education and prayer.

“It is appropriate to continue to dream of peaceful coexistence and to keep the light of hope burning in Korean society, especially today, in the current stalemate, with the total blockade of communication routes, the situation is very bleak,” he said.

"We are approaching the Holy Year [in 2025], which has as its theme hope: we are pilgrims of hope, also with regard to relations with the North,” he also pointed out.

In 2027, Seoul is set to host the World Youth Day, with preparations underway since last December. Meanwhile, Chuncheon Bishop Simon Kim Ju-young, president of the Episcopal Commission for Reconciliation, revealed that the borders were completely shut even for humanitarian aid, which was kept open in the past.

“Even if the Korean public opinion is still quite divided on policy towards the North, all Koreans are united when it comes to sending humanitarian aid to North Korea,” he explained.

Therefore, he urged everyone to pray for “the doors to open.” "In some dioceses, for example, the faithful gathered at nine o'clock in the evening to ask God for reconciliation and peace. In Seoul, a Mass is celebrated every week for this intention, and in my diocese of Chuncheon, we hold a special prayer on the 25th of every month,” shared the prelate.

Furthermore, he encouraged priests, nuns, and lay people to help raise people’s awareness of the issue of peace.