Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - The Korean people, civil associations and Christian Churches welcomed the news of an agreement reached in talks between United States, Russia, China, Japan and the two Koreas with regard to North's Korea's de-nuclearisation. At the end of the multilateral talks in Beijing, US under secretary of state Christopher Hill said the 'exhaustive and helpful' agreement was a step forward towards de-nuclearisation.
In the agreement N. Korea said it will renounce its nuclear programme in exchange for aid, especially in the field of energy. In fact Pyongyang has already been promised aid for a value of 25 million dollars
Besides the news of the agreement, another highly symbolic announced gesture represents a step towards better relations between the two Koreas. When he goes to Pyongyang for a summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, 2-4 October, south Korean president Roh Moo-hyun will cross the south north border on foot. This was announced in Seoul by the government's Minister for Reunification, Lee Jae-joung.
Seoul media says the president's walk will be broadcast all over the world and that Mr Roh Moo-hyun will give an address of peace before crossing the border which has divided the peninsula since the Korean war 1950-1953.
Korean Catholics welcomed Pope's Benedict XVI's words of encouragement during the Angelus address in Rome and his call to all Catholics to pray for stability and peace in Korea and throughout the region. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 1/10/2007 righe 25 parole 257)
