Jung-gu is further strengthening its cooperative relationship with the Seoul Archdiocese of the Catholic Church and discussing various measures for the development of the local community. On the 14th, Jung-gu Mayor Kim Gil-seong exchanged New Year’s greetings and a friendly chat with Archbishop Jeong Sun-taek at the Seoul Archdiocese’s Archdiocese Office, and strengthened their will to cooperate.
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[Korean Today] Jung-gu and Catholic Church, Strengthening Cooperation for Community Development, Accelerating Preparations for Seoul World Youth Day, Centering on Historical Facilities such as Myeongdong Cathedral, Expanding Pilgrimage Historical Road Exploration Program © Reporter Seung-ju Ji |
At this location, Archbishop Jeong Sun-taek expressed his gratitude, saying, “Over 110,000 people visited the Myeongdong Christmas Festival last year,” and “Thanks to the Jung-gu Office’s active cooperation in safety management, the event could be successfully concluded.” He continued, “Major Catholic facilities in Jung-gu, such as Myeongdong Cathedral and Seosomun Martyrs’ Shrine, have established themselves as symbolic spaces in the local community,” and emphasized continued cooperation with the Jung-gu Office.
Mayor Kim said about this, “Jung-gu has been working hard for regional development by cooperating with local religious organizations such as cathedrals, churches, and temples,” and “Myeongdong Cathedral, in particular, is a symbolic space representing Jung-gu, and we will seek various ways to cooperate so that the local community and religious community can develop together in the future.”
Expanding cooperative projects centered on Myeongdong Cathedral and Seosomun Holy Land
Jung-gu and the Catholic Church have maintained a long-standing cooperative relationship, and a representative example is the Seosomun Holy Land History Museum. This museum has become an important cultural attraction in Jung-gu, attracting over 200,000 visitors annually through exhibitions related to the history of Catholic persecution.
In addition, the ‘Pilgrimage History Route Exploration Program’ is receiving great responses from citizens, including Myeongdong Cathedral, Yakhyeon Cathedral, and Seosomun History Park. In addition, the ‘Visiting Tax Classroom’, a free tax-saving special lecture that started at Cheonggu Cathedral last year, is expected to be expanded to Yakhyeon Cathedral and Shindangdong Cathedral this year, allowing more residents to benefit.
Mayor Kim said, “The district unit plan for Myeongdong Cathedral and the Myeongdong area will be reorganized soon,” and “We will set up a time to explain related projects in the future and work closely with the Catholic Church.”
Preparations for Seoul World Youth Day in full swing
In particular, since the ‘Seoul World Youth Day’ to be held in 2027 is scheduled to be held in Jung-gu, cooperation with the Catholic Church is becoming more important. Mayor Kim emphasized, “Since a world-class event is being held in Jung-gu, Jung-gu Office will not spare any support to ensure a successful event.”
Meanwhile, Jung-gu plans to expand cooperative projects in various fields such as welfare, culture, and education through the signing of a business agreement with the Catholic Church. Last year, Jung-gu signed an agreement with the Diocesan Council and the Buddhist Council to establish a foundation for resident welfare and cultural activation. Mayor Kim said, “We will actively plan joint projects that can blossom the social and cultural values of the Catholic Church together with Jung-gu.”
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