President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a mass presided by Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik at Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls to attend, Vatican, Sunday (local time). In a speech, Lee referred to the inter-Korean joint statement adopted on June 15, 2000, reaffirming his commitment to reviving dialogue with North Korea for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Yonhap
President Lee Jae Myung said Sunday he believes the "ember of hope" for reviving dialogue and cooperation with North Korea still exists, reaffirming his commitment to making the utmost efforts to establish peace with Pyongyang.
The president made the remarks in his speech during a special Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, celebrated by South Korea-born Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik under the theme of peace and solidarity.
Lee is visiting Italy as part of his broader European trip, his first since taking office in June last year. He is set to visit the Holy See for a visit with Pope Leo XIV on Monday.
Lee referred to the inter-Korean joint statement adopted June 15, 2000, calling it a "historic turning point" that, he said, signaled the possibility of overcoming inter-Korean tensions and opening up dialogue and cooperation.
