Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - With a Caritas Internationalis mandate and as its representative, as from 1 January 2007 Caritas South Korea is now in charge of cooperation programmes in North Korea. The handing over from Caritas Hong Kong was preceded by a journey to Pyongyang by Caritas delegation at the invitation of the National Committee for Economic Cooperation. During the visit 18 - 23 December 2006 Fr. Paul Hwang, Caritas Korea national director, Augustine Koo referent for the Programme for Cooperation with the North and other South Korea Caritas staff members met representatives of the North to plan work in 2007. The meeting took place in a climate of cordiality and prospects for future cooperation are good. The delegations exchanged letters of intentions for the Programme and agreed on middle term projects.
Caritas confirmed its mission to give assistance in areas where many people suffer from hunger, poverty, lack of schooling, health care and sanitation. One identified priority sector was medical assistance in Wonsan Hospital as well as food aid for the most vulnerable people, women and children, and agriculture with instruction on new methods to improve production.
There is satisfaction and optimism in the Caritas Korea team with regard to activities in the coming months and tangible joy and enthusiasm at the opportunity to give direct help to “brothers and sisters in NK”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/1/2007 righe: 27 parole: 271)
