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| Israeli President Reuven Rivlin speaks during his visit to Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Jung Min-ho |
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| Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and senior pastor Lee Young-hoon shake hands. Courtesy of Yoido Full Gospel Church |
By Jung Min-ho
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin thanked South Korean Christians for "praying for the peace of Jerusalem" and invited them all to the holy city during his visit to Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, Wednesday evening.
In an unprecedented move, the Jewish leader visited the Christian church, with the world's largest congregation of more than half a million members, to bring "blessings of brotherhood and love" to the crowd who packed the building.
"Israel will welcome you with open arms," Rivlin, who was on a five-day state visit to South Korea, said. "I can promise you that, if you come to see, feel and breathe the holiness of the land, it will open your heart and mind."
He noted Jerusalem today is a holy, safe and secure city, in which "members of all religions worship freely, and more and more pilgrims and tourists are coming from all over the world each year."
Before visiting the church, Rivlin toured the demilitarized zone separating South Korea and North Korea as the first Israeli president to do so. During the tour, he heard a briefing by South Korean forces and met U.N. troops stationed there.
Rivlin said he will pray for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
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| Israeli President Reuven Rivlin speaks to the crowd. Courtesy of Yoido Full Gospel Church |
"We (South Korea and Israel) have both faced great threats, but, with God's help, we've both built vibrant democracies and thriving economies," he said.
Rivlin also said he will continue to try to build more bridges between the two countries and Koreans and the Jewish people.
Over the past three years, the church, led by senior pastor Lee Young-hoon, has established a good relationship with Israeli officials. Last year, Lee was invited to speak during a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of Israel's foundation.
Before his state visit to South Korea, Rivlin offered to visit the church, according to church officials.
Lee welcomed the "historic visit."
"Many Christians in Korea love and pray for Israel," he said. "I urge everyone here to pray for the peace of Jerusalem when you pray for peace on the Korean Peninsula. For peace in this world, we have to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. The peace of Jerusalem will bring the peace of the world."
Over the four days, Rivlin met President Moon Jae-in and business leaders to strengthen political and economic relations between the two countries, especially in high-tech areas such as cyber security, fintech and artificial intelligence.
