By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

President Lee Jae-myung met with World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary Jerry Pillay and a delegation from the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) in his office on Aug. 11, 2025.

This meeting commemorated the long history of solidarity between the WCC and the Korean church and discussed future directions for exchange and cooperation.

From the WCC, General Secretary Jerry Pillay and International Director Peter Prove attended. From the National Council of Churches in Korea, General Secretary Kim Jong-saeng and President Cho Sung-am attended.

In his opening remarks, President Lee expressed gratitude for the WCC's significant role in the growth of democracy in South Korea, including its role in raising awareness of human rights violations during the ordeals of President Kim Dae-jung.

He also expressed gratitude for its role in opening dialogue between churches in North and South Korea for peace on the Korean Peninsula. He expressed hope that its work for peace and solidarity would continue, particularly urging the WCC to work towards improving inter-Korean relations.

In response, General Secretary Jerry Pillay noted that he has been observing changes in South Korean society through the news and expressed growing trust and expectations for the new administration.

He emphasized that he was deeply impressed by President Lee's leadership in pursuing reunification and expressed his joy at working with him.

President Lee responded that before discussing reunification, the most urgent task is to create an environment where the South and North can acknowledge each other's existence and engage in dialogue.

He expressed hope that the WCC, which facilitated dialogue between churches in North and South Korea, would open a small avenue of communication.

Park Sang-gyu, President of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, brought laughter to the audience by mentioning the martial law situation and expressing gratitude for preventing him from being imprisoned again.

Bishop Park Dong-shin of the Anglican Church of Korea, said that witnessing the President and First Lady's visit to Sorok Island, he felt their sincerity as human beings before being president. He urged Lee to become a president who stands alongside the victims of the Sewol Ferry and Itaewon disasters, sharing the sorrow of their fellow citizens.