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President Lee Jae-myung greets Venerable Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order, during a luncheon at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on July 9. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung met with leaders from seven major religious groups on July 9, calling on them to take a guiding role in promoting national unity amid what he described as growing social division.

"Just as we feared during the election, our society has become excessively divided and confrontational. The conflict has deepened significantly, and that is very concerning," President Lee said during a luncheon at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul. "I believe the role of religious leaders is more important than ever."

He added, "I hope the core values of religion—such as forgiveness, reconciliation, inclusion, and openness—will permeate our society. I ask that the religious community act as the moral elders of the Korean people."

Venerable Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order and co-chair of the Korean Conference of Religions for Peace, praised President Lee’s leadership. "Although the past seven months were among the most tumultuous in modern history, the Korean people endured them with collective intelligence and rationality. The president stood at the center of that, guiding the nation forward," he said.

He continued, "I personally feel deeply moved and thankful that the president helped create today’s stability. He did so even while facing threats to his life. I hope he continues to lead the nation with the wisdom and experience he has gained."

The luncheon brought together 11 religious leaders from seven faiths. From the Buddhist community, Jinwoo was joined by Venerable Deoksu of the Cheontae Order and Venerable Sangjin of the Taego Order. Christian representatives included Kim Jong-hyuk, president of the United Christian Churches of Korea, and Kim Jong-saeng, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Korea.

From the Catholic Church, Bishop Matthias Lee Yong-hoon, chair of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, and Archbishop Chung Soon-taek of the Seoul Archdiocese attended. Other attendees included Na Sang-ho, head of Won Buddhism; Choi Jong-su, leader of the Confucian Jongmyo Order; Park In-jun, head of Cheondoism; and Kim Ryeong-ha, chair of the Korean Council of National Religions.

According to the presidential office, the luncheon menu reflected the values of life, compassion, and nonviolence cherished by religious communities. It included vegetarian dishes such as cucumber and ginseng salad, tofu with black sesame, and grilled burdock, followed by figs symbolizing peace, rest, and spiritual enlightenment.

President Lee also met with Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for the Clergy, at the presidential office on July 7.

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President Lee Jae-myung (front row, center) poses for a commemorative photo with religious leaders during a luncheon at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on July 9. / Courtesy of the presidential office