North East Asian Conference 2008

Aug. 25, 2008

Via Latina October 2008 Page 5

At the first joint meeting of the Regional Administrations of Korea and Japan (North East Asian Society of Mary Conference, NEASMC for short!) held in July of 2004, the two Administrations agreed that:

“In order to promote exchanges, deepen mutual understanding and build collaborative relationships between both Regions, the perpetually professed of each Region would be invited to visit the other Region.”

In 2007 the Region of Korea invited the members of the Region of Japan to visit Korea. Then in 2008 the Region of Japan invited the members of the Region of Korea to visit Japan.

Six religious from the Region of Japan visited Korea in the summer of 2007. There they were introduced to Marianist life in Korea, aspects of Korean culture – history, music & dance, and food - and the history of Christianity in Korea, particularly the history of persecution and martyrdom something shared in common with Japan.

The second get-together between the perpetually professed of the Regions of Korea and Japan took place in Japan from August 25 until August 28, 2008. Ten members from the Region of Korea traveled to Japan to learn more about Marianist life there and Japanese culture. Eleven religious from Japan participated. (VL)