South Korean President Lee Jae-myung attended a special mass in Rome on Sunday to advocate for a sustainable peace system on the Korean Peninsula [1].
This diplomatic gesture occurs during a broader European tour, signaling South Korea's intent to leverage international religious and political centers to garner support for regional stability. By framing the pursuit of peace within the context of a Vatican-affiliated service, the administration seeks to elevate the moral urgency of reunification and disarmament.
Lee attended the service at St. Paul Outside the Walls, a historic basilica in Rome [2]. During the event, he delivered a speech emphasizing the necessity of establishing a peace framework that can withstand political shifts and external pressures [1].
In his remarks, Lee identified the 6·15 North-South joint declaration as a historic turning point for the region [1]. He noted that this declaration occurred 26 years ago [3] and said he intends to carry forward the spirit of that agreement to achieve lasting stability.
The president's visit to the Holy See's facilities underscores a strategy of using soft power to bridge the gap between the two Koreas. By referencing the 6·15 declaration, Lee connects his current administration's goals to a legacy of inter-Korean diplomacy, and cooperation [1].
Officials said the visit is part of a wider effort to ensure that the international community remains engaged in the security dynamics of East Asia. The special mass served as a platform for Lee to reiterate that a sustainable peace system is not merely a political goal, but a humanitarian necessity for the people of the peninsula [1].
“sustainable peace system on the Korean Peninsula”
President Lee's decision to highlight the 6·15 North-South joint declaration in Rome suggests a strategic pivot toward reviving the engagement policies of previous administrations. By anchoring his peace rhetoric in a religious setting, Lee is attempting to build a multilateral moral consensus for Korean peace, potentially preparing the ground for renewed diplomatic overtures toward Pyongyang.
