(Unofficial Translation)

Distinguished Christian leaders and congregation members,

It is very meaningful for me to join the 53rd Korea National Prayer Breakfast. Through the internet and metaverse at this moment, those from overseas KNPB branches in the United States, Israel and other countries as well as the six million Korean diaspora and the young generation are praying together for “justice and restoration.” They are coming together with one mind both off- and online.

I am grateful to KNPB Chairman Lee Bong-kwan and relevant officials as well as Reverend Kim Hak-jung, who will give a sermon, and all those who will give benedictions, sing hymns and offer special prayers. My special appreciation also goes to members of the National Assembly Prayer Breakfast for joining us.

Congregation members,

During the past two years, we have shared the pain of our neighbors amid the unprecedented crisis caused by COVID-19 and come to their aid when they were in need. Beyond the boundaries of family, religion and nationality, we have banded together while trying to find ways to live together.

Pastors have also sought a new path. They have provided non-face-to-face worship services and communicated with their congregants. General conferences of Protestant denominations have been held online. They are still preparing for a better return to normal life while encouraging their church members to follow epidemic prevention rules and get vaccinated.

In addition, they declared the Korean church’s movement to practice carbon neutrality – a proclamation that all living creatures in the ecosystem of Earth are linked with each other and should coexist in harmony.

On the heels of the National Council of Churches in Korea holding a ceremony to announce the Korean church’s 2050 carbon neutrality vision, the United Christian Churches of Korea will launch a committee on climate change and the environment.

Churches in Korea are discussing ways to cope with the climate crisis, and their members are joining these efforts by voluntarily changing the way they live. Responding to the climate crisis and practicing carbon neutrality will be – in the most active way – showing love for a world believed to have been created by God.

Congregation members,

Christianity was introduced to Korea 130 years ago, and Korean churches have always proclaimed justice and embraced the poor whenever the country was in crisis. The weak in our society were treated at hospitals established by Christians, including Jejungwon – Korea’s first hospital. Like Jesus who sheds tears with us, Korean churches gave courage to the people.

I respect all the leaders and members of Korean churches who regard the suffering of their neighbors and nature as their own and reach out and pray to overcome together. Your embrace of love became a driving force that ultimately helped Korea emerge as an advanced country.

The justice and restoration we pray for together this day is what we most desperately need. The road to a gradual return to everyday life is not smooth, and risks of the new Omicron variant are rising.

The Government will do all it can to restore daily life as soon as possible. All-out efforts will be made to ease the people’s worries and anxiety and to take a leap forward to a better everyday life. I ask everyone to come together and pray for the Republic of Korea as it passes the final critical juncture in the restoration of daily routines.

Distinguished Christian leaders and congregation members,

People come to realize God’s will in times of trouble. We are frail beings, but we grow stronger by relying on each other and living harmoniously together.

The South and the North also form a single community of life on the Korean Peninsula. We can grow healthier only when living together and prosperous only when working together. Most of all, cooperation is a way for the Republic of Korea to become stronger. Creating a peaceful and prosperous Korean Peninsula amid denuclearization is another form of justice and restoration. I ask you to pray for the future of the Republic of Korea and the Peninsula and bring the minds of the people together.

I express my gratitude once more to everyone who has gathered for this National Prayer Breakfast. May God’s grace and blessings always be with you.

Thank you.