7 figures from key Korean religions to meet pope at Vatican

By Park Han-sol

Seven high-level representatives from religious bodies within Korea will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican City this month to discuss ways to establish and maintain harmony between religious communities.

The representatives from the Korean Council of Religious Leaders (KCRL) are scheduled to go on an overseas pilgrimage to a number of holy sites, including Israel's Jerusalem and the Vatican, from Sept. 13 to 21.

During this trip, the leaders will meet with the pope on Sept. 19 (local time) to launch a dialogue on world peace and ways the religious circles can cooperate with one another.

This year's pilgrimage will be attended by Jogye Order President Ven. Wonhaeng, Archbishop Hyginus Kim Hee-joong, Christian Council of Korea (CCK) temporary chair Kim Hyun-seong, Won Buddhism President Na Sang-ho, Confucianism Director Son Jin-woo of Sung Kyun Kwan, Chondogyo Supreme Leader Park Sang-jong and Association of Korean Native Religions leader Kim Ryoung-ha.

The KCRL was established in October 1997 as an umbrella organization to promote harmony and exchange among Korea's seven representative religious bodies ― Buddhism, Won Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism, Confucianism, Chondogyo and the Association for Korean Native Religions. Ven. Wonhaeng is its current chairman.