SEOUL (Fides): On the eve of the elections for the National Assembly, scheduled for April 10, the Bishops’ Conference of Korea restated that the Catholic Church believes the purpose of politics is to promote human dignity and achieve the common good.
By fulfilling its mission among people, it can “pass moral judgment in matters concerning public order when the fundamental rights of a person or the salvation of souls require it” [Gaudium et Spes, 76].
The bishops took note that as the elections approach, several important issues have come to the forefront, including low birth rates, the climate crisis, social security reform, and relations and reconciliation with North Korea.
To assist Catholic voters in making informed choices, the bishops’ conference sent a questionnaire to each political party. The questionnaire addressed key issues such as work, reconciliation on the Korean peninsula, bioethics, environment and ecology, justice and peace, and others.
It was sent to the Democratic Party of Korea, the People’s Power Party, the Green Justice Party and the New Reform Party—the main political parties, but the New Reform Party reportedly did not submit its responses. The bishops then published a summary of the responses received.
Work
The Democratic Party of Korea and the Green Justice Party “strongly agreed” to reduce working hours while maintaining workers’ salaries. The People’s Power Party also supports reducing actual work hours “to ensure a balance between work and personal life,” but noted that maintaining the same salary level may not be realistic.
All political parties expressed unwavering support for the necessity of preventing war on the Korean peninsula and pledged to work towards peace in the region.
All political parties agree on implementing measures and laws to protect workers from the impact of rapid technological changes, such as artificial intelligence.
Korean reconciliation
The Democratic Party of Korea expressed “firm agreement” on the need to discuss accession to the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons for national reconciliation and the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. The People’s Power Party expressed a “neutral” position. The Green Justice Party hoped that “both North and South Korea would adhere to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, thanks to the interest of the great powers.”
The Democratic Party of Korea and the Green Justice Party strongly supported inter-Korean civil exchanges. Meanwhile, the People’s Power Party stressed the importance of ensuring national security due to ongoing provocations and threats from North Korea. All political parties expressed unwavering support for the necessity of preventing war on the Korean peninsula and pledged to work towards peace in the region.
Bioethics and respect for life
After the 2019 ruling that decriminalised abortion and granted freedom of conscience to doctors and medical institutions refusing to perform it, the People’s Power Party has reaffirmed its support and protection for the life of the unborn.
On the dismantling of old nuclear power plants, the Democratic Party of Korea and the Green Justice Party strongly agree, while the People’s Power Party strongly disagrees
This stance considers the declining birth rate and calls for laws that balance the rights of the fetus and the self-determination of women. The Democratic Party of Korea and the Green Justice Party expressed a “neutral” stance on the matter.
Regarding the abolition of the death penalty [South Korea has not carried out executions since 1997], the Democratic Party of Korea and the Green Justice Party are in favour. The People’s Power Party called for “a mature consensus in society on the abolition or maintenance of the death penalty.” All parties supported palliative care services for the terminally ill and the expansion of public and home hospices.
Environment and ecology
On the dismantling of old nuclear power plants, the Democratic Party of Korea and the Green Justice Party strongly agree, while the People’s Power Party strongly disagrees. The Democratic Party of Korea and the Green Justice Party advocate for the complete elimination of nuclear energy, whereas the People’s Power Party does not agree with this position.
The People’s Power Party called for ‘a mature consensus in society on the abolition or maintenance of the death penalty’
The first two parties aim to prevent the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima, Japan, while the People’s Power Party prefers to “control whether the discharge will be safe in accordance with international standards, and carry out inspections and verifications”, but without preventing it.
The Democratic Party of Korea and the Green Justice Party are strong supporters of expanding renewable energy, while the People’s Power Party does not want a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, or nuclear fuel.
Justice and peace
A new Basic Law on Life and Safety, with the creation of an independent body for security incidents, the establishment of an independent investigation body to clarify the Itaewon Disaster of 29 October 2022 found strong support from the Democratic Party of Korea and the Green Justice Party. The People’s Power Party, for its part, considers the current legislation adequate.
The political parties completed their lists of candidates by including a large number of Catholic deputies. The bishops’ conference expressed its wish that in the political activity of believers, “conscientious efforts be made to reconcile politics and religious teachings.”
