On January 12, 2026, President Lee Jae-myung invited prominent religious leaders to the Blue House for a luncheon and roundtable discussion. The event, themed ‘Towards National Unity with Religion,’ brought together leaders from Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism, Won Buddhism, Confucianism, Cheondoism, and indigenous religions. President Lee emphasized the importance of listening to the wisdom of the religious community as the new year began. He underscored the crucial role of religious groups in fostering harmony and inclusiveness among citizens.
Key figures such as Venerable Jinwoo, President of the Jogye Order and co-chair of the Korean Religious Leaders Association, attended the event. Venerable Jinwoo praised the president’s philosophy of prioritizing communication with the public and expressed hope for ongoing cooperation on the shared task of ensuring peace of mind and ‘mental security’ for the people. The roundtable covered a wide range of issues, including the problems posed by cults like Shincheonji and the Unification Church, diplomatic achievements, low birth rates, regional development, and inter-Korean relations.
Religious leaders voiced strong concerns about the harm caused by cults and pseudo-religious groups, urging strict measures against practices that negatively impact citizens’ lives. President Lee agreed on the severity of these issues, noting the long-standing social harm. Attendees suggested dissolving harmful religious organizations and using their assets to support victims. They also commended President Lee for addressing anti-China and hate issues, warning that hatred toward immigrants could foster fascism and expressing support for his proposal to break away from hate and division.
President Lee called on religious leaders to take a guiding role in addressing key social topics such as livelihood issues and peace on the Korean Peninsula. He asked them to help prevent political strife over matters vital to the nation’s survival, such as diplomacy and security. Religious leaders responded by accepting responsibility, and President Lee echoed this sentiment, emphasizing shared accountability. The luncheon featured vegetarian Korean dishes symbolizing respect for life, peace, and nonviolence, with bibimbap representing national unity, all served in a calm and warm atmosphere.
The Blue House announced plans to continue engaging with religious communities and civil society to expand dialogue, listening, and cooperation for national unity and community restoration. This event reaffirmed the commitment of both government and religious groups to work together for unity, highlighting the importance of active participation and responsibility in addressing diverse social challenges.
This event exemplifies the collaborative efforts between the government and religious communities to achieve national unity. Addressing complex issues such as cults, hate, and demographic challenges requires religious leaders to exercise social leadership. From an AI perspective, fostering communication and cooperation among stakeholders is essential for building trust and restoring communities. Integrating data-driven policies with ethical leadership from religious groups can lead to meaningful progress in national unity.