President Kim Thanks Priests For Honest Comments On Reform Policy

SEOUL (UCAN) - South Korea's President Kim Dae-jung says he appreciates "the most honest, sincere and strong comments" on his policy from Catholic priests whom he invited for dinner. Kim, a Catholic, invited 22 priests of the Catholic Priests' Association for Justice for dinner Aug. 10 to mark the halfway point of his 5-year term, according to a press release from the presidential office.

The priests told the president that they are "disappointed" with his "lukewarm reforms," local media reported. They presented Kim with several demands such as the revision of the Status of Forces Agreement with the United States, abolition of the National Security Law, elimination of the death penalty, political reforms and eradication of corruption, media said.

The priests also asked the South Korean president to support religious exchange with North Korea and to push for a pro-environment policy. After listening to the priests, the president told them that he was "given the most honest, sincere and strong comments" on his policy since his taking office in February 1998. While admitting that his reform policy has failed to meet their expectations, the president told the priests that he will strive to do "valuable work" for the nation for the rest of his life. "We live just one life," and this presidential position also has its limitations, he said. A Church source told UCA News that the president called on the priests to further devote themselves to democracy, social justice and the peaceful reunification of North and South Korea. Kim also said that the priests' prayers and efforts have greatly contributed to the country's democratization and the solid foundation of democracy, said the source, who added that the dialogue lasted several hours.

Among those invited to the dinner were Fathers Augustine Ham Sei-ung, Matthias Kim Seung-hoon and Philip Kim Byung-sang, advisers of the priests' association, and diocesan representatives of the association.

UCAN 14. august 2000