Ambassador Hyung Sik Shin outlines South Korea’s vision for lasting peace, democratic renewal, and reconciliation with North Korea in a changing Asia.
Newsroom (16/01/2026 Gaudium Press ) “We intend to leave behind the era of confrontation and inaugurate a new stage of peaceful coexistence and shared growth,” declared Hyung Sik Shin, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Holy See. His words reflected a new diplomatic horizon for Seoul—one shaped by reconciliation rather than rivalry, coexistence instead of coercion. For Shin, a Catholic lawyer and academic deeply rooted in Korea’s civil society, peace is not a slogan but an evolving process embedded in the nation’s democratic fabric.
Speaking with Fides, Ambassador Shin described a Korea in transformation: politically awakened, democratically resilient, and morally committed to shaping a sustainable peace across the Peninsula.
From Crisis to Renewal
In the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, South Korea underwent what Shin termed a “living masterclass in democracy.” Rather than descending into chaos, the nation emerged with stronger civic engagement and institutional integrity.
“Our people have matured through challenge,” Shin explained. “The Korean public is experiencing a profound sense of political efficacy. What some perceive as turbulence is the maturation of our democracy.”
That renewal, he said, was not confined to politics. It marked a national reawakening of trust—painfully earned through transparency and public participation. Initiatives such as live-broadcast policy briefings and citizen-driven reform panels are now reshaping public governance into an open dialogue between the state and its people.
Korea’s “Social Immune System”
Ambassador Shin spoke of a “social immune system” developed through hard lessons of history. This system, as he framed it, operates on two levels.
The cultural antibody is civic oversight—the ingrained belief that no authority stands above the Constitution or rule of law. Koreans have internalized vigilance against authoritarianism, empowered by their collective memory of protest and reform.
The structural antibody lies in redesigned institutions and legal checks that guarantee constant accountability. Together, they form the backbone of a democracy no longer prone to imbalance or complacency.
A Vision for Equitable Growth
President Lee Jae-myung’s administration, Shin noted, has redefined South Korea’s economic and social priorities. Its national blueprint emphasizes “inclusive growth” and “regional development,” replacing capital-centered policies with a more equitable model.
“As Ambassador,” Shin said, “I see our sacred mission as establishing an enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula.” This peace, he added, must guarantee a prosperous future for all peoples—South and North alike. “Peace is not optional; it is the foundation for dignity and democracy itself.”
World Youth Day 2027: A Moment of Global Unity
For Shin, World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul is more than an international gathering; it’s a symbolic bridge between faith and diplomacy. The government’s allocation of 3 billion won demonstrates its ambition to host one of the largest youth events in modern Korean history.
“We hope Pope Leo XIV’s presence will open a new chapter of peace in East Asia,” Shin said. A papal visit to North Korea—should it materialize—would be historic, a gesture capable of transforming the geopolitical landscape. “World Youth Day,” he added, “must become a beacon of peaceful coexistence and shared growth.”
Pathways to Reconciliation
Despite decades of division, Seoul remains resolute in its outreach to Pyongyang. By halting psychological warfare broadcasts and calling for renewed communication channels, South Korea is signaling readiness for dialogue.
“Humanity must precede politics,” Shin emphasized, referring to the plight of separated families. The government, he noted, aims to restore trust through sustained exchanges—backed by coordination with the U.S., China, and the international community.
Youth engagement is also central to this renewed peace strategy. As younger generations grow more pragmatic about reunification, the government is promoting a “Participatory Peace Process” to reframe unity as a shared, forward-looking responsibility. With World Youth Day approaching, the hope is to cultivate a “Culture of Encounter” that transcends borders and ideologies.
Recalibrating Regional Diplomacy
The back-to-back visits between Presidents Lee Jae-myung and Xi Jinping have revived Korea-China relations, setting a cooperative tone after years of strain. Both leaders, Shin observed, share a recognition that peace on the Peninsula is a strategic necessity.
The proposed Seoul-Pyongyang-Beijing rail link exemplifies this shift—a tangible emblem of economic and diplomatic rapprochement. Guided by what Shin called President Lee’s philosophy of “recognizing divergence while broadening convergence,” Korea’s foreign policy now seeks pragmatic alignment over confrontation.
Partnership with the Holy See
In his role at the Vatican, Shin views Korea’s relationship with the Holy See as both spiritual and strategic. Pope Leo XIV’s appeals for global disarmament, he said, resonate deeply with Korea’s own journey from conflict to stability.
“Korea is leading the charge for youth-led disarmament,” Shin explained. “We believe true security is not in the silence of weapons but in the transparency of hearts.” The Ambassador linked this ethos to Korea’s broader diplomatic mission: transforming the scars of division into symbols of moral resilience.
The Moral Imperative of Dialogue
Reflecting on Pope Leo’s caution that “a diplomacy based on dialogue is being replaced by diplomacy based on force,” Shin echoed a warning against the growing militarization of international politics.
“Peace,” he concluded, “is not passive. It is a tireless commitment that rejects the nihilism of war.”
In his words, Korea’s mission becomes clear: to demonstrate that reconciliation is not the dream of idealists, but the duty of democracies—to prove that lasting peace, once unimaginable, can indeed be made real through courage, consensus, and faith in common humanity.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Fides News
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