SEOUL (SE): The WYD Seoul 2027 Local Organising Committee [LOC] held the inauguration and briefing session for the National Assembly Support Committee for WYD Seoul 2027 on March 17 at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Yeouido, formally establishing a parliamentary framework to support preparations for the international event.
A press release from the WYD Seoul 2027 Local Organising Committee, said that total of 57 Catholic members of the National Assembly were appointed to the committee, marking the start of organised legislative and administrative support at the parliamentary level for the successful preparation and hosting of the event in 2027.
Among those attending the event were Bishop Paul Kyung-sang Lee, general coordinator of the WYD Seoul 2027 LOC; Representative Cho Jung-sik and Representative Na Kyung-won, co-chairpersons of the committee; Representative Han Jeoung-ae, executive chairperson; and Representative Choi Hyung-doo, president of the Catholic Members’ Association of the National Assembly.
In his welcoming remarks, Bishop Lee underscored the significance of World Youth Day, describing it as more than a large-scale international event.
“WYD Seoul 2027 will be the first World Youth Day to be held in a non-Christian country and in a divided nation,” Bishop Lee said. “As such, it carries profound significance, offering a powerful witness to peace on the Korean Peninsula and to the common good of the human family. With the bipartisan commitment of the National Assembly, this historic event will be all the more meaningful and luminous.”
He added that young people from approximately 170 countries are expected to visit Korea, with more than a million participants anticipated for the final events.
WYD Seoul 2027 will be the first World Youth Day to be held in a non-Christian country and in a divided nation. As such, it carries profound significance, offering a powerful witness to peace on the Korean Peninsula and to the common good of the human family
Bishop Paul Kyung-sang Lee
Cho explained that the National Assembly would serve as a bridge for cooperation among the government, local authorities and educational institutions, describing World Youth Day as both a national and global event.
Na said the National Assembly would also work to support the event through institutional measures, including visa and immigration arrangements.
Han said World Youth Day would offer young people an opportunity to build solidarity across borders and religions, and pledged active parliamentary support to help ensure a successful and exemplary international gathering.
During the ceremony, letters of appointment were presented to the committee leadership and principal members. The committee will support preparations for WYD Seoul 2027 through cooperation spanning 13 standing committees of the National Assembly.
The briefing session also included a presentation by Father Joseph Young-je Lee, head of Planning for the WYD Seoul 2027 LOC, who outlined the event’s overall vision and key areas requiring cooperation from the government and the National Assembly.
WYD Seoul 2027 will take place from 3 to 8 August 2027, and is expected to bring together young people from around the world in a major international gathering to be held in conjunction with a papal visit to Korea.
The launch of the National Assembly Support Committee is being seen as an important step in strengthening cooperation between the government, the National Assembly, local authorities and the Church in preparation for the event.
