On January 12, 2026, President Lee Jae-myung hosted a New Year luncheon and roundtable event titled ‘Towards National Unity with Religion’ at the Blue House, inviting major religious leaders from across South Korea. The event aimed to reaffirm the urgent tasks of national unity and restoring social trust, emphasizing the need to move beyond division and conflict. President Lee sought to listen to the wisdom and capabilities of the religious community to find practical solutions for social harmony. The Blue House highlighted the importance of a unified message for all citizens.
Attendees included Venerable Jinwoo, Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism; Venerable Deoksu, Chief Executive of the Cheontae Order; and Venerable Sangjin, Chief Executive of the Taego Order. From the Christian community, Kim Jung-seok, President of the Korean Church Council; Park Seung-ryul, Secretary General of the National Council of Churches in Korea; and Ko Kyung-hwan, President of the Korean Christian Federation, were present. Catholic representatives included Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek of Seoul and Bishop Lee Yong-hoon, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea. Other attendees were Na Sang-ho, Head of Won Buddhism; Choi Jong-su, Director of Sungkyunkwan (Confucianism); Park In-jun, Leader of Cheondogyo; and Kim Ryeong-ha, President of the Korean National Religion Council.
During the event, religious leaders shared their perspectives on national unity and the restoration of social trust. Participants emphasized the importance of resolving social conflicts and fostering coexistence, expressing their commitment to actively contribute to national harmony. President Lee highly valued the role and responsibility of the religious community, proposing closer cooperation between the government and religious groups to rebuild trust. Blue House spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung stated that the event would serve as a practical milestone for national unity.
Going forward, the government plans to strengthen national unity policies through ongoing dialogue with religious communities. Religious leaders are also expected to continue various activities aimed at restoring social trust and resolving conflicts. The event is seen as a new model for cooperation between religion and government to promote social harmony. The wisdom and capabilities of the religious community are anticipated to play a crucial role in the path toward national unity.
This event marks a symbolic collaboration between the government and religious communities to address social trust and national unity. By bringing together diverse religious leaders, the initiative sends a strong message of coexistence and reconciliation, which is vital for overcoming division and conflict in Korean society. From an AI perspective, such multi-sectoral cooperation strengthens social networks and trust, laying the groundwork for more inclusive policy-making. Continuous dialogue and partnership between the government and religious groups will contribute to social stability and progress.