In a meeting aimed at strengthening ties between the Catholic Church and local government, Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul and Jung-gu District Mayor Kim Kil-sung pledged to enhance collaboration for the benefit of the community.
The dialogue took place on Jan. 14 at the Archdiocesan headquarters in Seoul, according to the Public Relations Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul.
The archbishop expressed his gratitude for the district’s support during the 2024 Christmas celebrations, which drew a crowd of over 110,000 visitors to Myeongdong to celebrate the festival.
“Thanks to the Jung-gu District Office’s dedicated efforts in ensuring safety management, the event concluded successfully,” he said.
Mayor Kim reaffirmed the district’s commitment to maintaining Myeongdong Cathedral as a safe and welcoming space for worshippers and tourists alike.
“Myeongdong Cathedral is a symbol of Jung-gu, and we will always strive to ensure that parishioners and tourists can visit comfortably and safely,” he said.
Archbishop Chung highlighted the significance of Catholic landmarks in Jung-gu, including Myeongdong Cathedral, the Seosomun Martyrs’ Shrine, and other parish churches.
Mayor Kim highlighted the district’s dedication to fostering strong partnerships with religious organizations.
He emphasized that the Jung-gu District Office operates under a philosophy that views the church and community as interconnected, striving to collaborate closely with churches, temples, and other religious institutions.
Recognizing Myeongdong Cathedral as a key symbol of Jung-gu, he expressed a desire to expand collaborative efforts on future projects.
