South Korea’s Foreign Minister Seeks Vatican’s Support for North Korea’s Denuclearization
South Korea’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Park Jin, recently visited the Holy See to discuss bilateral relations and seek the Vatican’s support for North Korea’s denuclearization. This visit comes as both countries commemorate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.
During his visit, Foreign Minister Park paid a courtesy call on Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and met with Archbishop Gallagher, the Vatican’s secretary for relations with states. The discussions primarily focused on strengthening bilateral ties and promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Minister Park expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for his efforts to foster peace in the divided region and urged the Vatican’s support for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s audacious initiative. This initiative aims to bolster North Korea’s economy in exchange for denuclearization steps. In response, Secretary of State Parolin affirmed that the Holy See would make every effort to address the North Korean issue.
Additionally, Foreign Minister Park extended his visit to Italy, where he held talks with President Sergio Mattarella. The discussions centered around deepening bilateral ties, as South Korea and Italy will mark the 140th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year.
During the meeting, Minister Park sought Italy’s support in countering North Korea’s provocations. President Mattarella commended South Korea’s audacious initiative towards denuclearization and expressed hope that North Korea would accept the offer.
This visit underscores South Korea’s commitment to pursuing diplomatic avenues to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. By seeking the support of influential global actors like the Vatican and Italy, South Korea aims to build international consensus on the importance of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
As tensions continue to simmer in the region, initiatives like these provide hope for a peaceful and stable future for both Koreas. South Korea’s diplomatic efforts serve as an important milestone in the ongoing quest for denuclearization and lasting peace in Northeast Asia.
