Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Acting president pays respects to Pope Francis at Myeongdong Cathedral
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is seen leaving Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul, Tuesday, after paying his respects to Pope Francis. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo paid his respects to Pope Francis Tuesday afternoon, visiting a special memorial altar set up at Myeongdong Cathedral, the historic Catholic church located in the heart of Seoul.
The cathedral began accepting Koreans who wished to pay their respects to the pope from 3 p.m., and the acting president visited the altar at around 3:15 p.m.
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo pays his respects at the memorial altar for Pope Francis set up at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
"Pope Francis, the 266th pope, left a profound spiritual legacy and teachings of faith for the Catholic Church and believers worldwide. I express my deep gratitude and condolences to Pope Francis, who always practiced love for the poor and socially vulnerable with his humble and simple demeanor," Han said, after paying his respects at the church.
On Monday evening, Han also sent an official letter of condolence to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, following the news of the pope's death.
"The government and people of the Republic of Korea share in the sorrow with Catholics around the world and extend our heartfelt condolences," the letter stated.
Mourners line up to visit Pope Francis' memorial altar set up in the underground chapel of Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
The message expressed deep gratitude for the special affection Pope Francis showed Korea.
The pope demonstrated this affection by selecting Korea as the destination for his first trip to Asia after ascending to the papacy. During his tenure, he appointed two more Korean cardinals and consistently sent messages of hope for inter-Korean dialogue and the easing of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
In September 2023, a statue of St. Andrew Kim Taegon (1821-46), the first Korean Catholic priest, was erected at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican — marking the first time a statue of an Asian saint was placed there.
Mourners pay their respects at the memorial altar of Pope Francis set up in the underground chapel of Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps
Pope Francis deepened his connection further with Korea by selecting Seoul as the host city for the 2027 World Youth Day, pledging to make a second visit to the country.
"We will always remember His Holiness’s teachings of love and peace shared with the world," the acting president's letter continued. "May his noble soul find eternal rest and peace in the arms of Jesus Christ."