President Lee Jae-myung attended a special mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on Sunday to advocate for Korean Peninsula peace [1].
The visit signals a strategic effort to leverage international religious and diplomatic channels to secure a sustainable peace framework in a volatile region.
During the event on June 14 [2], Lee used the platform to reiterate his administration's commitment to diplomatic and security goals. He specifically focused on the establishment of a lasting peace system to stabilize the region [1].
Lee connected his current diplomatic efforts to historical precedents of inter-Korean cooperation. He identified the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration from 26 years ago as a critical turning point [1].
"I reaffirm our will to establish a peace system on the Korean Peninsula," Lee said [1].
He further emphasized the need to maintain the momentum of previous agreements. "Evaluating the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration of 26 years ago as a historical turning point, I will carry on its spirit," Lee said [1].
The special mass, held Sunday afternoon [2], provided a high-profile venue for the president to signal his intent to the global community. By aligning the current administration's goals with the legacy of the 2000 declaration, Lee seeks to frame the pursuit of peace as a continuous national objective rather than a temporary policy shift [1].
Reporting from the scene, YTN correspondent Kang Jin-won said the president attended the basilica for the afternoon service [1].
“"I reaffirm our will to establish a peace system on the Korean Peninsula,"”
By invoking the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration at a Vatican site, President Lee is attempting to internationalize the legitimacy of his peace agenda. This move suggests a strategy of using 'soft power' and the moral authority of the Holy See to build global support for a sustainable peace framework, potentially preparing the ground for renewed diplomatic engagement with North Korea.
