Pope Praises Korean Efforts at Harmony

Pope John Paul II on Friday praised recent efforts by North and South Korea “to overcome difficulties” caused by the political division of the country.

Accepting credentials from the new South Korean envoy, the pontiff said he will pray that millions of Koreans separated by the “tragic events of the past may at last be found and reunited in peace and harmony.”

Ambassador Young-Hoon Kang told the Pope that more than 10 million Koreans have been separated from their families “with no knowledge of the fate and where-abouts of one another” since the end of the Korean War three decades ago.

The Pope, clearly referring to recent meetings of Korean officials and the Red Cross, asked that God “bless the endeavors of all those who. . .have been working to overcome difficulties and obstacles and are seeking to pave the way to mutual openness and understanding.