Pope Francis calls for diplomatic solution to Korean peninsula tensions

Posted on : 2017-05-01 17:55 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Norway and the United Nations can play roles facilitating dialogue, Pope tells reporters
Pope Francis blesses a child during a mass in Cairo
Pope Francis blesses a child during a mass in Cairo

Pope Francis voiced concerns about rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula and called for a diplomatic solution to the North Korean missile issue for the “future of humanity.”

Speaking to reporters on an aircraft returning to the Vatican on Apr. 29 from a visit to Egypt, the Pope was quoted by the media as saying the situation with the North Korean nuclear issue had “become too hot” over the past year.

“We are talking about the future of humanity. Today, a widespread war would destroy . . . a good part of humanity, and of culture, everything, everything,” he continued.

“It would be terrible. I don’t think that humanity today would be able to withstand it,” he added.

The Pope also stressed the roles of the UN and other countries, especially Norway, in a diplomatic resolution to tensions on the peninsula.

“I call on, and will call on, all leaders . . . to work to seek a solution to problems through the path of diplomacy,” he said.

“There are so many facilitators in the world,” he added. “There are mediators who offer themselves, such as Norway, for example.”

“[Norway] is always ready to help,” the Pope noted.

Norway played a leading role in encouraging negotiations between Israel and Palestine that led to the signing of the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s.

Pope Francis also noted that while the UN’s influence has waned over time, it “has the duty to resume its leadership.”

By Park Min-hee, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

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