SUWON — Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae attended the 10th Gyeonggi Interfaith Harmony Festival at the Gyeonggi Arts Center's small theater in Suwon on the 20th, sharing the meaning of interfaith harmony with religious leaders from across the province.
The event was organized as a forum for exchange among Buddhist, Protestant and Catholic communities. It was hosted by the Gyeonggi Province Council of Religious Leaders and organized by the Gyeonggi Christian Federation. Leaders and believers from the province's three major religions attended, affirming mutual understanding and solidarity.
Before the main program, Choo held talks with Kim Young-jin, chairman of the Gyeonggi Province Council of Religious Leaders; Lee Sung-hwa, chairman of the Gyeonggi Christian Federation; and Seonghyo, abbot of Yongjusa Temple. Participants exchanged views on how religion can contribute to integrating local communities.
In her congratulatory remarks, Choo referred to comments she had made in connection with a recent funeral for a firefighter killed in the line of duty. "This is a somewhat difficult time for me," the governor said. "In the course of explaining that, since firefighters are now classified as national rather than local civil servants, budget support should match that status, my wording was inappropriate and there was an unintended mistake."
"The dispute has in some ways strayed from the substance of the matter," the governor added. "The issue remains that the state must provide the funding that is fundamentally needed before working conditions for firefighters can be improved and the system can be put in order."
Choo also said she drew comfort from the event. "Even when we think differently, our society has the strength to recognize problems together and find harmony beyond our differences," the governor said. "A spirit of inclusion that embraces one another is needed more than ever."
"The Interfaith Harmony Festival is a place of teaching, understanding and embrace," the governor said. "Simply being here with everyone has given me great consolation. I hope there will be many more opportunities for us to come together and embrace one another."
This year's festival was held under the theme "Gyeonggi Province Harmony Concert." The Yongjusa Temple Hyohaeng Choir, the Suwon Catholic Choir, the Bongseonsa Temple Joint Choir and Shema's Choir, made up of Protestant pastors, took the stage with performances reflecting the character of each faith.
The event closed with participants singing "With Love" together, reflecting on the meaning of harmony. Launched in 2012, the Gyeonggi Interfaith Harmony Festival has been organized in rotation by Buddhist, Protestant and Catholic communities to broaden exchange and understanding among religions. This year marked its 10th edition.